Blade Of The Ripper Self-Titled

I received/reviewed this cd back in 2005 and it left quite an impression on me. So much so that I was looking around in my email to see if I’d done an interview with front man Adam Neal around that time. Unfortunately, I didn’t interview him or either it wasn’t saved before we let the site go. However, as luck would have it, this review was published in the Horror Mag I used to moonlight for, I felt it appropriate because the album as a whole has an oldschool Horror feel to it; I thought it might appeal to fans of real Horror. Obviously, I still feel strongly about the disc and the band, so I felt it only fair to share this review once again in hopes that new comers might find the band and feel the same way I do. Sadly, the band is now defunct but they did release another album – “Taste The Blade” and it’s every bit as good as this one! When I originally received this disc I wasn’t a big fan of Neal’s other band, The Hookers, but all that changed as soon as I pressed play on the stereo. Since that fateful day I’ve tried my best to follow Neal from band to band/release to release – everything he touches/sings on just fucking KILLS, there’s no other way to describe it. If you’re a fan of Heavy Metal, Horror, Thrash and music with attitude don’t miss out on the Blade Of The Ripper or anything else that Adam Neal has been a part of…

What do you get when you combine a lethal dose of Samhain, Venom, Cock-Rock, Thrash and an intense love for hatred and murder? Kentucky’s own Blade Of The Ripper is exactly what! The Blade was formed from the remnants of the band the Brothers Of Conquest by Adam Neal (Former Nashville Pussy/The Hookers). Neal, in his quest to put this monstrosity together, recruited members of Hooker, BOC and some weird ex-skater. Make no mistake about it, Blade Of The Ripper has far surpassed anything Neal has done in the past. On the band’s self-titled debut they Thrash, Blues and Metal it up like it was 1985 and it feels and sounds too good be true.

This album could be viewed in many ways, for one there are Cock Rock influences then again the music is as brash and intense as Samhain. Not to mention the lyrical content and emotional feel is that of all night session of watching classic Hammer Horror flicks. Here in the horrifying land in which I live you just can’t get any better than that.. No, it’s not necessarily Horror Rock, not unless you’re a Horror Hound!. Those of you who have a sincere appreciation for Glenn Danzig’s work will certainly dig in deep to the crushing blues-based tune, “House Of Witchcraft”. The Southern drawl of Neal makes it even more believable and original. Keeping with sludge-infested blues is the creepy yet sorrowful “Castles Walls/Trapped” and the howling “Unholy Night”. You’ll also be greeted with traces of the Thrash influences of early Slayer and the long forgotten Bloodfeast on the tracks “Possessed By The Night”, “Bare-breasted Countess” and “A Beast So Pure”.

I’ve never professed to be the biggest fan of Devil Doll Records but I’ve not had the pleasure of sampling the label’s entire roster. I shudder to think there is a better band on the label than Blade Of The Ripper! Nowhere in the world will you pick up a cd that will rawk your face off like this, much less boast lyrics that take you back to the darkened days when movies of the Hammer Horror Productions reigned supreme. Blade Of The Ripper’s self-titled debut is the soundtrack of my sweetest nightmares. Shine on Blade Of The Ripper, I dub the honorable Princes Of Hammer!

~Black Angel

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