Hellripper – the project of guitarist, vocalist, and all-round one-man metal army James McBain – has been tearing through the metal underground like a denim-vested, backpatch-armoured William Wallace since 2014. Channeling the feral speed and aggression of Kill 'Em All-era Hetfield and Welcome to Hell-era Mantas, McBain has forged a sound that fuses darkness, speed, and Scottish history.
Now, the Goat Kvlt sharpens its horns for its biggest battle yet: "I'm very pleased to announce that Hellripper is now working with Century Media Records!" said McBain. "It's a label that I've followed for a long time now and am honoured to become a part of such a great legacy. We share a common vision for the future of the band, and together, we vow to spread the word of the Goat Kvlt! I'm excited to embark on this new chapter of the band's journey and I can't wait to share it with you all! All Hail the Goat!"
McBain is currently forging new material for Hellripper's Century Media debut, slated to land around the vernal equinox of 2026. Until then, the band's live assault continues – recent conquests have included Beyond the Gates in Norway, Brutal Assault in the Czech Republic, and Germany's Summer Breeze, all left battered in the wake of McBain and his sonic knights.
In March 2025, the band crossed the Atlantic for their first-ever U.S. show at Houston's Hell's Heroes festival, where fans were left "beaten, bruised and beer-soaked" after a crowd-surfing McBain brought the set to a ferocious close.
Century Media VP of A&R Mike Gitter says the signing is a perfect match. "Hellripper is the high-bar for thrash," he declares. "Like an angry billy goat, with his beard washed in blood, James McBain is a feral force that brings together the best elements of metal, black metal, crusty, d-beat punk and speed metal. James' sonic evil knows no boundaries and isn't afraid to push the extremes of earslaughtering noise or unexpected guitar melodies. Century Media is proud to be a refuge for the Goat Horde!"
In the meantime, catch Hellripper at one of their festival dates in 2025 and 2026.
8/16 Essen, DE Turock Sommerfest
8/17 Eindhoven, NL Dynamo Metal Fest
8/23 Sheffield, UK Cosmic Vibration Fest
9/5 Huttikon, CH Meh Suff! Metal Festival
9/19 Villingen-Schwenningen, DE Black Forest Festival
9/20 Schrobenhausen, DE Metal im Woid Festival
10/11 Leiden, NL Metal Experience Festival
11/9 Manchester, UK Damnation Festival
12/6 Wolverhampton, UK Bloodstock Winter Gathering
