Scotland's blackened thrash metal band Hellripper has released a lyric video for the title track of their upcoming fourth studio album, Coronach. The album is scheduled for worldwide release on March 27, 2026, via Century Media Records. Mastermind James McBain describes the song as a musical experiment drawing from various influences.
Hellripper, the project of Scottish guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter James McBain, has unveiled the title track "Coronach" from their forthcoming album of the same name. The lyric video for the song was created by Irvan Dionisi of Theblackvisual.id. This release follows previously shared tracks "Hunderprest" and "Kinchyle (Goatkraft and Granite)" from the album.
McBain commented on the track: “A coronach is a vocal lament traditionally performed at funerals in the Scottish highlands. Intertwined with my own words is the poem of the same name by Sir Walter Scott, which served as an inspiration for this story: the funeral of an ambivalent and mysterious figure, revered by his community for his heroic deeds but whose life hid many dark secrets. As well as lyrically, the track is also a musical experiment for me; it was primarily influenced by late 80’s thrash metal along with bands like Bathory, Gallowbraid and Atlantean Kodex. A dash of post-punk, a fair amount of Iron Maiden-style guitar harmonies, some classical references and the haunting wail of the bagpipes fading in the distance: this song feels like the perfect farewell to the album.”
The album Coronach was recorded and mixed by McBain at Coronach Studios in Scotland, UK, and mastered by Damien Herring at Subterranean Watchtower Studios in the USA. The cover artwork is by Adam Burke of Nightjar Illustration. The tracklisting includes:
1. Hunderprest (05:49)
2. Kinchyle (Goatkraft and Granite) (04:33)
3. The Art of Resurrection (05:44)
4. Baobhan Sith (Waltz of the Damned) (06:24)
5. Blakk Satanik Fvkkstorm (03:53)
6. Sculptor’s Cave (04:35)
7. Mortercheyn (04:18)
8. Coronach (08:48)
Total runtime is 44:09. Coronach will be available in various formats, including multiple limited-edition 180g vinyl variants such as "Black Cuillin" on black vinyl and "Wild Thistle" on transparent magenta vinyl limited to 400 copies. Pre-orders began on February 11, 2026.
Hellripper, formed in 2014 by McBain, follows their 2023 album Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags. The band has announced extensive 2026 tour dates across Europe, Mexico, and beyond, including support slots for Testament and headline shows with Schizophrenia and Sarcator.
