Hellripper’s 2026 album Coronach takes us on a wild and intense ride through the newest chapter of James McBain’s journey as an artist. The title itself already gives the record a darker emotional pull. A coronach is an improvised song for the dead, traditionally performed at funerals in Scotland to honour and lament the deceased, and that mood hangs over this album in a way that feels powerful without ever dragging it down. The concept revolves around the contrast between Sir Walter Scott’s poem “Coronach” and the story of a well-regarded man who has recently died, but whose darker secrets were hidden from the public and even from the people who admired him. So yes, this album absolutely takes you somewhere.

Considering that Coronach was recorded between April 2024 and October 2025, it was a generous move to release four songs before the album dropped. If you have not checked them out yet, this is the perfect moment to fix that. Pour yourself a drink, fire up your streaming service of choice, and give “Hunderprest,” “Kinchyle,” “Mortercheyn,” and the title track “Coronach” a proper listen. They offer a strong preview of what the full album has in store, but they still do not spoil everything.

James McBain has never exactly struggled to win people over, but to me, Coronach feels like Hellripper stepping up again. Earlier releases clearly wore their influences proudly, and you could hear how much Venom in particular helped shape the road McBain was travelling. This time, though, it feels like that influence has been pushed further into the background. It is still there in spirit, but the record stands much more firmly on its own. The production no longer clings so tightly to that raw 1980s template of Venom, Sodom, or Bathory. Instead, McBain sharpens the established Hellripper sound while making room for surprises. Across these eight tracks, he throws in complex solos, catchy synth parts, and even dramatic piano passages, and somehow none of it feels excessive. It should be too much. It really should. But this album makes it work.

The opener “Hunderprest” is pure fire. It is fast, filthy, and loaded with energy right out of the gate. This is the kind of track that feels built to explode in a live setting, the kind that makes a crowd go from standing around with a beer to losing their mind in about ten seconds. It sets the tone perfectly and gives the album an immediate kick.

The second track, “Kinchyle (Goatkraft and Granite),” stands out for more personal reasons. According to James, this is the actual battle cry within his family, which honestly makes the song even better. There is something brilliant about taking that kind of family detail and turning it into a savage, party-ready metal anthem. It has the kind of hook and energy that makes it perfect for the camping grounds during festival season, and it also makes me wonder how entertaining holidays in the McBain household must be. Probably louder than most.

One of the best things about Coronach is that it keeps revealing little twists the more you listen. McBain never loses control of the blackened speed metal attack, but he refuses to let the album become predictable. That is where the record really wins. It is aggressive, it is sharp, and it has all the filth and speed you want from Hellripper, but it also feels more adventurous. There are moments where melody sneaks in, where atmosphere briefly takes over, or where a musical detail catches you off guard in the best way. It gives the album replay value far beyond the first adrenaline hit.

My personal favourite is “Blakk Satanik Fvkkstorm,” which was not released as a single ahead of time. So once the album is out, make sure you go straight to that one. It has the chaos, attitude, and ridiculous title you would hope for, but it also delivers musically. It is one of those songs that reminds you why albums still matter, because finding a killer non-single track can be half the fun.

If I had to point out a downside, it would be that the album ends a little abruptly. It almost feels like it cuts the fun off too quickly. But maybe that is not the worst problem for a record to have. Sometimes it is smarter to leave the listener wanting more than to overstay your welcome, and Coronach definitely leaves that feeling behind.

If you are new to Hellripper, this is a very strong place to start. It captures what makes the band exciting while also showing growth in songwriting and confidence. And if you grew up loving bands like Motörhead, Megadeth, Sodom, Bathory, and of course Venom, there is a very good chance you are going to have a blast with this one. Coronach sounds like an artist who knows exactly who he is but is still pushing himself forward. That is not always easy to do, but James McBain pulls it off here with style.

Thanks for one of the best releases 2026 is going to offer us, James. More power to you.