A friend of mine, who is a little younger than I am, once told me he only could listen to thrash if it was blackened. Which always makes me think we’re talking about salmon or something. I feel like it was that age gap, the fact he didn’t live through the thrash glory days, that could be to blame, but the conversation did make me think about it a lot.

Then it dawned on me that the reason I find some much modern thrash so lacking is it isn’t always true to the originators (which isn’t a sin) or it’s not vicious enough. That made me pay more attention to thrash bands that injected black metal into their recipe, and Graveripper is one of the mightier ones in that field. The band’s new record “From Welkin to Tundra” ups the ante in a great way, adding more sinister black metal edges to their punishing formula. The band consists of vocalist/guitarist Corey Parks, bassist Steven Garcia, and drummer Nick James (the latter two joined since their 2023 debut LP “Seasons Dreaming Death”), and they pour vitriol generously and violently, making their brand of thrash burst with flames from the seams. This is fucking nasty.  

“Welkin, Now Tundra” is a nice, frosty intro, a sign of things to come as winds gust and guitars activate, barrelling into “Bring Upon Pain” that instantly chugs and blisters. The leads scorch as the vocals bathe in an evil, sinister blood stream, the pace carving you up. The leads erupt as the playing races harder, blasting out into hell. “Hexenhammer” is a proper mauler, bringing frigid black metal that trucks and howls that maim. “There is no return!” Parks wails, the guitars catching fire, strong energy pulsing through veins before the final order of, “Tear the world apart.” “Death’s Cold Embrace” enters amid a flurry of guitars as words are spat in monstrous growls, the speedy pace blinding with vicious intent. Melody washes over as the tempo hits a higher gear, strange visions flooding your senses. “Sanctioned Slaughter” is mashing, throaty howls flexing, a sense of savagery overwhelming and pulsing. The melodies get catchier as the gas pedal is jammed through the floor, the wail of, “No remorse!” coursing through your veins.

“Hounds From Hell” is fast, punchy, and thrashy, growly snarls pouring sand in wounds. The intensity keeps skyrocketing, and the simple, yet effective chorus absolutely crushes, slowly fading away. “No Gods, No Masters” clobbers, black metal frostiness letting freezing extremities ache, the guitars chugging through fluidity. Brutal bass chews on muscle, shoving into jarring pressure, mashing bodies as it heads to the other side. “…And Now It’s Dark” has the bass leading the way with authority, the guitars spiralling away, the vocals snapping like a whip. The pace goes hard, absolutely shredding faces, the playing then hulking and bludgeoning to the finish. “Bullet Laden Crown” has guitars tangling before diving fully into thrash, harsh howls teaming up with vein-ripping riffs. The guitars then simmer as the drums pace through a surge of madness that can crush a wall. Closer “Burning Barren Plains” darts in suddenly, a melodic chorus making your heart jump, harsh cries twisting already bruised muscle. Guitars heat up before fully igniting, heavily catapulting forward and steamrolling toward a volcanic finish.

Graveripper’s black/thrash metal hybrid is mightier and more sinister on “From Welkin to Tundra,” some of the most savage tracks in the band’s run. The more wintry elements added to their formula is a nice touch, and it actually gives added room for the thrash elements to thrive. The album is a real motherfucker, one that brings down the hammer repeatedly in as vicious a manner possible.  

For more on the band, go here: https://graveripper.bandcamp.com/

To buy the album, go here: https://graveripper.bandcamp.com/album/from-welkin-to-tundra

For more on the label, go here: https://wisebloodrecords.bandcamp.com/music