Black Arts & Alchemy

Following the success of Hellripper's debut album, Black Arts & Alchemy serves more of a continuation rather than a transition into the second record. This would be difficult anyway, since there isn't a lot of variety between said records, so it kinda fits that this is simply four more songs of hateful speed and blackened gruff.

That said, it managed to stay memorable likely due to the now-staple opener "All Hail The Goat." The catchy yet straightforward chorus crossed with some of the strongest solos to ever leave McBain's fingertips cements the idea that this era of the band aims for entirely. "Decrepit Christ" kinda feels like a leftover that didn't cut it on the album, however the title track brings in a more rhythmically tight energy. Instead of focusing on strong solos or catchy choruses, the riffs themselves that carry the weight are the focus, breathing darker layers of traditional metal. We end with a return to the norm with "Headless Angels," another straightforward black/thrasher tailed with a cover of Running Wild's "Iron Heads."

Truly, I think they could have ditched two of the tracks and tacked the others onto the debut album, or perhaps the sophomore, but this works as a nice little EP to fill time between releases. Nothing much to complain about on an objective front.