Hellripper open their European headline tour in support of Coronach; the latest album the Scots have foisted upon our ears.

THE GARAGE

Even before getting properly inside the confines of The Garage in Glasgow, it’s clear this isn’t going to be just another stop on the run. Once through the doors, the first thing that catches my attention is the crowd. Metalheads of all ages fill the room, many of them wearing Bathory shirts and patches. It gave the whole night a very particular feel, almost as if Quorthon’s legacy was quietly hanging over the place, not as nostalgia, but as something still very much alive.

DEVASTATOR

Derbyshire‘s black thrashers Devastator push things into rougher territory. Their set is all about pace and pressure, with little breathing space between songs. Fast, abrasive, and straight to the point, they bring a raw edge that works well in the context of the night.

A detour to the merch stand leads to one of those small moments that end up sticking with you: a quick chat with James McBain, who was around the stand, signing and taking time for a few words. Vinyl signed, quick selfie taken, time well spent.

SARCATOR

Despite their young age, Sarcator play with a confidence and intensity that feels anything but tentative. The energy is immediate with tight playing, fast transitions, and no let-up. It didn’t take long for the crowd to respond, and you could feel the room picking up as their set went on. By the time I was back in my spot, the place is full. The early anticipation turns into something more focused, with everyone clearly settled in for the main event.

HELLRIPPER

When Hellripper finally take the stage, there was no slow build. McBain flies straight into it, running through a set that mixes older material with tracks from Coronach (our review here). At some point along the way, I end up with the setlist, scribbled on a Tennents beer carton (one of those details that somehow sums up the night better than anything else).

Among the newer tracks, Kinchyle, Mortercheyn and Hunderprest stand out, sitting comfortably alongside the older songs without breaking the flow. The only slight disappointment was the absence of the title track, which I was half-expecting to hear live.

CLOSE TO THE EDGE

McBain was also the main force at the front, stage-diving and pouring everything into the crowd. He gave himself completely, like a sacrificial goat offering all his energy to the fans, and the audience returned it in full measure. During the set, McBain also took a moment to thank Billy Robertson, currently playing with Disposable and Hard Stare, for stepping in on bass and covering for the injured Andy Milburn, something the crowd clearly appreciated.

Tight without feeling forced, the performance keeps that balance between control and edge that suits the band so well. The crowd stay with them the whole way through, constant movement at the front, but never spilling over into anything messy. It felt locked in, with both band and audience on the same page from start to finish. As a first date of the tour, it did exactly what it needed to do. If this Glasgow show is anything to go by, the rest of the run should follow suit.

Hellripper: Website

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