From the mist-covered highlands of Scotland rises a one-man inferno known as Hellripper — the creation of James McBain, a musician who’s been redefining the sound of blackened speed metal with unrelenting riffs, occult tales, and that unmistakable raw energy.
With every release, Hellripper pushes the boundaries of aggression and atmosphere, blending chaos with melody in a way that feels both primal and epic.
Following the success of Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags, Hellripper returns with a brand-new single, “Kinchyle (Goatkraft and Granite),” inspired by dark Scottish folklore and steeped in mythic energy. It’s the perfect time to dive deeper into the mind behind the madness.
Today, we’re thrilled to welcome James McBain of Hellripper — James, thank you for joining us!
Jo: To start off — could you introduce yourself and tell us how Hellripper first came to life?
James: I’m James and I play in a black/speed metal band called Hellripper. Hellripper started solely because I wanted to write and record music in this style, but I didn’t know anyone at the time that shared my interest in this type of music, and so, inspired by some of my favourite bands like Toxic Holocaust and Bathory, I decided to do it by myself. I had no idea what I was doing at the start and thought it would be fun just to learn as I went along.
Jo: Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags feels drenched in Scottish folklore and atmosphere — if the album were a landscape, what would it look and feel like?
James: It would look exactly like the landscapes that inspired it! It would look like the Scottish Highlands – a lot of mountains, a lot of water and a lot of green! Add some mist, some wind and some rain and you’ve got it!
Jo: There’s a strong mystical energy throughout the record. Do you think creating music can be a kind of ritual or magic in itself?
James: It is to me, at least! I don’t necessarily treat it as such, but when I sit down and start writing or recording something, I get lost in it and that becomes my sole focus for a long time! I love the process of creating music and experimenting with different sounds, and the feeling I get when I manage to get something down that sounds exactly as I envisioned it is indescribable.
Jo: When writing this album, was there a specific moment or story from folklore that completely changed the direction of your music?
James: Nothing really changed the direction of the music necessarily. But I recall “The Nuckelavee” being one of the first ideas that I had thematically, and that probably helped dictate where I went with the rest of the album lyrically. The original idea was just to include a song or two inspired by Scottish folklore on the album, however, while researching, I realised that there were so many things that I found interesting and thought would fit Hellripper’s music. And so, the idea then became to relate each track to Scotland in some way, which gave the album some sort of theme.
Jo: If each track on Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags were a character from a dark tale — which one would represent you the most, and why?
James: The Stoor Worm I reckon! It makes itself known every so often when it’s hungry, and disappears soon after until next time! We’ll ignore everything else in the story.
Jo: The production is both raw and grand — almost cinematic at times. How did you manage to keep that “Hellripper bite” while expanding your sound?
James: I just go into each song with an open mind and do what I think is needed! I recorded everything with nearly the same equipment and setup as I’ve had for the past 10 years, so there’s not going to be a drastic change in sound.
Jo: You’ve said this album is more “Scottish” in spirit — how does your homeland influence not just your lyrics, but your sound and identity as an artist?
James: This album was written just as I moved to the Scottish Highlands. I had lived in a bigger city and more urban areas for my whole life up until that point and had never consciously been influenced by my environment (it’s all I knew and so was a part of me), but being surrounded by the landscapes and immersed in the “vibe” of the Highlands made me think a little differently about what I wanted to do!
Jo: If you had to explain the essence of Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags without using any musical terms, just emotions or imagery — what would you say?
James: I think the album cover itself does a good job of that! Goats, witches, hills, green, nature, folklore, Scotland…
Jo: Do you ever think of your albums as chapters of a single story — or is each release a self-contained world?
James: Each album to me is a snapshot of where I am at that time, and I think that’s the best way to look at it in order not to compare yourself to your previous works or feel like you have to repeat yourself.
Each album that I’ve released was written at a very different time in my life and under different circumstances – The first when I still lived with my parents and was studying at University, the second when I had just moved out of my hometown after 23 years, and the last was just as I moved to the Highlands (and during the unique period of a global pandemic).
I’m also a massive music fan in general, and am constantly looking for new music to listen to, and different ways of doing things and so the influences change/expand with each release.
Jo: The artwork and visual style are stunning — how closely do you work with the artist to capture your vision?
James: In the case of the last album, the artwork was already created and I stumbled across it online! I loved it, and I felt that it perfectly captured the album’s vibe and so set about licensing it immediately!
But in general, I usually give an artist free-reign to do what they want, and I will mention any ideas that I have or colours that I have in mind.
Jo: If the “warlocks” and “hags” of your album were real, what kind of advice do you think they’d give you about modern life?
James: Say your prayers and eat your vitamins!
Jo: You often record everything yourself — do you ever argue with yourself in the studio about how something should sound?
James: Yes, all the time! I’m not an experienced or educated producer/engineer – I’ve always just worked by myself, primarily on my own music at home on whatever studio setup I have at that time. I love the process and am constantly learning as I go, but of course, sometimes that means there are some sounds that I have in mind that take a while for me to figure out and can cause me some frustration. But it’s important that I enjoy it as it’s my hobby and passion, and so I view the actual creative process with equal (or more) importance to whatever the finished product becomes.
Jo: Finally, when the last note of Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags fades, what do you hope lingers in the listener’s mind — fear, awe, catharsis, or something else entirely?
James: I think it’s open to interpretation! It’s not up to me to decide how the listener feels after listening to my music and I think it’s interesting to hear how different people take it!
Jo: “‘Kinchyle (Goatkraft And Granite)’ finds you exploring your Aberdeen roots and a darker vision of Scotland. When writing this track, what was the one image or emotion that you kept returning to — and at what point in the studio did you realise the song had taken on a life of its own?”
James: This was a song that came to me quite late in the whole process, but it was finished quite quickly! I remember the idea of the main riff and chorus melody popping into my head on a trip to the post office early in 2025. I already had my 8 tracks planned for the album, and in various stages of completion, but there was one song that I just could not figure out what to do with, and it was causing me some frustration, and so it felt natural that to put “Kinchyle” in its place on the tracklist. The other song will see the light of day in some form eventually!
The lyrics to this song are unusual in the sense that they are more personal than what I would usually write about. The track is about my hometown of Aberdeen (the Granite City), and the image I wanted to convey was just how I felt and what I saw when I lived there (or whenever I visit the city).
Jo: Finally — what’s next for Hellripper? Any new releases, tours, or surprises coming soon?
James: I have a new album ready to be released early in 2026 which will be accompanied by a headline tour of Europe in March/April. We’ll be busy throughout the whole year playing shows and festivals throughout Europe, and hopefully we can get over to the US again for something!
Jo: James, thank you for taking the time to speak with us and for sharing the stories behind Hellripper’s music. It’s always inspiring to see such passion and authenticity driving the underground metal scene.
James: Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me and for spreading the word! All hail the goat!
We can’t wait to hear what’s next — and to feel that unstoppable Hellripper energy live once again.
Until then… horns up, and keep spreading the goatkraft!
Text – Interview: Joanna Gonas
Hellripper Official Website: http://www.hellripper.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hellripper1
Bandcamp: http://www.hellripper.bandcamp.com/
