Hellripper is the one-man project of Scottish multi-instrumentalist James McBain, founded in Aberdeen in 2014. His music fuses black metal, speed metal and thrash with lyrics rooted in witchcraft, the occult and the dark folklore of the Scottish Highlands. After three albums on Peaceville Records, McBain signed to Century Media Records for his fourth studio album 'Coronach' (2026), broadening his reach well beyond the underground. Metal Hammer once dubbed him "Scotland's King of the arcane mosh".
Hellripper released two covers of American speedpunk band Zeke digitally on September 15, 2026 as a precursor to a European tour and the first full North American tour in October/November.
Hellripper announced a North American tour as support for Havok, scheduled from October 21 to November 20, 2026.
The fourth studio album 'Coronach' was released on March 27, 2026 via Century Media Records, Hellripper's debut with that label.
Hellripper debuted the new single 'Kinchyle (Goatkraft and Granite)' in October 2025 and simultaneously announced a European tour as an announcement of the upcoming album.
Hellripper performed on November 16, 2024 at the Helldorado Festival in Eindhoven.
