The Pitch: One-man black/speed metal band Hellripper, based in Aberdeen, Scotland, delivers raw, 80's riffage on Coagulating Darkness. FFO: Venom, Kreator, Sabbat, Rebel Wizard
What I Like: Maximum hookage, maximum speed. The riffs could be traced back to heavy metal legends Judas Priest, often recalling their seminal album, Screaming For Vengeance. But the aesthetic and vocals take a much darker turn, dipping into the realms of Venom. Cronos surely listens to this with the widest grin you've ever seen, and I'm sure 80's metal afficionado, Fenriz, could find himself headbanging to these tunes as well. And while the commanding snarls and furious shredding make every song a delight, they would be nothing without the crusty, tireless pounding of the bass and snare.
Critiques: Don't expect any major revelations, but every single track is a rock solid.
The Verdict: A highly consistent, rip-roaring good time that should appeal to classic heavy metal and black metla fans alike. Front to back headbanging.
Flight's Fav's: Bastard of Hades, Demdike (In League with the Devil), Black Invocation