A decade ago feels like a completely different existence. For example, the U.S. was not locked in the clutches of authoritarianism, and a larger-than-comfortable swath of people were not under the spell of the least competent cult leader ever. We were years before a crippling pandemic. We just lost Neurosis. It was a world not ready for what was to come.

It also was the last time we heard from Chilean thrash/death hybrid Ripper, as they had unleashed “Experiment of Existence.” A full 10 years later, we finally have the band’s third record “Towards Rebirth,” a fitting title and a proper reintroduction to a band that always kept their brand of thrash thornier and bloodier. On these 10 tracks and 42 minutes, the band—vocalist/guitarist Patricio Spalinger, guitarist Nicolas Young, bassist Tomas Barriga, drummer Javier Buzeta—sounds like as well-oiled machine, poised to strike early and often, adding more vitriol to the South American brand of this style of metal which always was heavier, meaner, and brasher than other continents.

“The Secular Awakening” is a strange, whirring intro that bathes in synth and fantasy elements, leading the way toward “World of Darkness” that snarls and hammers with speed. Heated howls lash as the pace bruises, a simple, but effective chorus gets blood flowing, and the bass chews wires. The playing lays waste as the soloing erupts, punishing and leaving space for one final chorus to jet past. The title track mashes, the leads snaking, the pace trucking, leads bending around corners. The tempo storms harder as guitars twist brain tentacles, a burst of savage vocals punching out. “Final Hologram” takes off and shreds, the vocals spat like poison, guitars blinding as the screams ravage. The intensity crests as the bass charges, sparking a fury, a thrashy attack and throaty calls driving. “Into The Coldness of Land of Dead” opens with the drums decimating, a relentless attack angling toward you as guitars boil, and speed becomes a greater factor. The chorus jolts as everything hits a little harder, and then everything comes unglued, the playing decimating, savage power warping as bone spurs spray.

“The Source Exterminator” fires up, animalistic vocals striking, the leads smoking as melodies flex. The soloing melts before calm arrives, and out of that the energy powers anew, monstrous howls pelting and opening wounds. “Messages From the Other Side” scrambles, the intensity scathing, guitars storming harder, attacking as the vocals land. The pace turns everything to dust, blinding with chaos, the pace shifting to a vicious end. “The Secret Dawn” has the bass chugging and squeezing, guitars forming dark clouds, melodies slithering through the dirt. The playing detonates as leads flood, the guitars take off, and the bass buries into your chest, bringing a crazed finish to this instrumental.  “The End of Universe” unleashes, raw wails destroying, the guitars hitting a frenzy, wails combining with raspy shouts. The pace races as the screams peel paint, the soloing combusts and shakes bones, jolting bruised flesh before fleeing. Closer “Procession to the Eternal Rest” has guitars racing, scratchy howls battering, the pace coming to life and quaking. There’s a slight Maiden feel melodically, and then the winds become more violent, slamming into you as animalistic cries leave you gasping for breath.

It may have taken a decade to get “Towards Rebirth,”  but that wait was more than worth it as Ripper have returned with … a ripper. For those who like their thrash metal and little more feral, this record should land particularly hard, delving, as they do, toward the brink of death. This is one hell of a beast, a real scorcher arriving in the dead heat of summer.

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

To buy the album, go here: https://www.darkdescentrecords.com/shop/?s=ripper&post_type=product

For more on the label, go here: https://www.darkdescentrecords.com/