Hidden Gems & Guilty Pleasures: GraveRipper (USA)
GraveRipper (Black/Thrash/Speed Metal, USA)
GraveRipper is a blackened thrash ‘n’ roll band hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana.
Back in 2021, Wise Blood Records turned summer into a nuclear winter when they released »Radiated Remains«, the blistering EP from Indianapolis thrashers GraveRipper. Two summers later, the band returned with their debut LP of crypt-crushing black thrash, »Seasons Dreaming Death«.
»Radiated Remains« (mastered by Toxic Holocaust’s Joel Grind) introduced a band fusing thrash and black metal with wicked speed and a pit-stirring mentality. From the first vicious riff of lead single »Into the Grave«, »Seasons Dreaming Death« launches a 33 minute ballistic assault. Faster. Heavier. Catchier. More moshable despite emphasis on blackened melody. GraveRipper vocalist/guitarist Corey Parks has a two word summary of the album’s songwriting approach.
“Refined expansion,” Parks describes. “Double down on what resonates with us, but also introduce some new arrangements, ideas, themes, and influences. With this being a full-length record there was a lot more room to do that. We introduced more Teutonic thrash worship that teeters on the line of death metal. We also took this as an opportunity to prove we can really play some straightforward malicious black metal riffing as well. All while keeping the overall sonic goal of sewing black and thrash together in our own unique ratio.”
“The album title is my take on Halloween/Samhain,” Parks confirms, “the day of the year where the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead is the thinnest.”
GraveRipper has been waking the dead when »Seasons Dreaming Death« unleashed hell on August 25th, 2023. Available now on vinyl, CD, cassette, and digital from Wise Blood Records.
On November 15th, 2024, GraveRipper returned with a new blast of blackened hell & fury. »Cybernetic Nightmare« is the newest Graveripper track, a vicious single with cold-blooded circuitry and a sci-fi premise.
“The narrative of »Cybernetic Nightmare« is inspired by the world of Cyberpunk 2077,” explains Parks. “In the game, Cyberpsychosis is a dissociative disorder caused by an overload of cybernetic body augmentations. If you fall victim to Cyberpsychosis, you become what is known as a Cyberpsycho.”
“Not necessarily everyone becomes one, those who do most likely have a predisposition. You have an inherent susceptibility. The corporations who make these augmentations couldn’t care less about those who are becoming dependent on their product, and take advantage of these people and shift the blame elsewhere. Sound familiar?”
“The cyber psychos are distinct mini bosses throughout the game, each with a unique history that shines light on their descent into cyberpsychosis. They’re just a cool part of the game that really caught my attention.”
Courtesy of Wise Blood Records
Discography:
• »Complete Blinding Darkness« EP (2020)
• »Radiated Remains« EP (Wise Blood Records, 2021)
• »Faster Than The Fucking Devil« Split (Wise Blood Records, 2022)
• »Seasons Dreaming Death« LP (Wise Blood Records, 2023)
• »Samhain« Single (2024)
• »Cybernetic Nightmare« Single (Wise Blood Records, 2024)
GraveRipper is:
Corey Parks – Vocals, Guitar, Bass
Jacob Lett – Drums
FFO: Toxic Holocaust, Witchaven, Midnight, Kreator, Bewitcher, Wraith, Skeletonwitch, Hellripper, Witchery
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well