HELLRIPPER - Black Arts & Alchemy (2024 Reissue) - CD [MAY 31]

CD EP - As Hellripper marks a decade of existence, Peaceville presents the five track 2019 release of blistering Blackened Thrash. Contains four-page booklet with lyrics.

Following the release of debut album 'Coagulating Darkness' in 2017 which thrust Hellripper firmly into the gaze of underground metal maniacs, the 'Black Arts & Alchemy' EP brought even more attention & notoriety to this special act upon its release in 2019, as Hellripper's ascent gained further momentum. With four black/thrash anthems delivered in Hellripper's uncompromising & unwavering style & including an additional cover version of Running Wild's "Iron Heads", the release demonstrated an ongoing mastery of composition & execution whilst remaining true to the firm heavy metal roots which had brought so much appraisal to date. Featuring the band's trademark intricate & expertly-crafted concoction of hyperspeed riffing & solos, 'Black Arts & Alchemy' was also notably mastered by Joel Grind of celebrated US thrashers "Toxic Holocaust".

Inspired by the likes of old-school legends including Venom, Kreator, Sabbat [JPN] & Metallica, James McBain formed Hellripper in 2014 & with the release of the debut EP 'The Manifestation Of Evil' shortly after, the Scottish band was already making a very clear statement of hellish destruction with an electrifying brand of blackened thrash. Building on the momentum of the debut EP with a string of split releases, the debut album 'Coagulating Darkness' was released in 2017 to media acclaim, with the UK's Metal Hammer hailing Hellripper as "Scotland's King of the arcane mosh" & the band receiving attention throughout Europe & the US. This was followed by the EP - 'Black Arts & Alchemy', before an eventual deal was inked with Peaceville, resulting in 2020's 'The Affair Of The Poisons', leading on to 2023's monumental breakthrough release, 'Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags'.

This edition of 'Black Arts & Alchemy' is presented on CD format containing four-page booklet with lyrics.

Tracklist:

1.    All Hail The Goat ( 03:12 )
2.    Decrepit Christ ( 02:54 )
3.    Black Arts & Alchemy ( 03:19 )
4.    Headless Angels ( 02:58 )
5.    Iron Heads ( Running Wild Cover ) ( 03:09 ) [ Bonus Track ]