BONERIPPER

BONERIPPER     “Radiant In Ruin”

By Dr. Abner Mality

Sure are a lot of “ripper” bands around these days…HELLRIPPER, GRAVERIPPER, just plain RIPPER and now these guys from Holland. The Netherlands has a proud tradition of slamming hardcore and BONERIPPER is very much a part of that tradition. I recall the days when the “H8000” movement was one of the most talked about scenes in metal…BONERIPPER takes me back to those days.

This is right up there with the new PRO-PAIN as pissed off metallic hardcore that smashes you right in the face. I was surprised by how much this bowled me over. First two tracks “Oracle of Lies” and “Deeds Define” hit like an out of control Mack truck with chugging riffs…the drumming of Kees-Jan is as powerful as hell! WD’s angry vocals are very reminiscent of Gary Meskil of PRO-PAIN and never let up. If you distilled the essence of HATEBREED and PRO-PAIN and then tossed in some of that H8000 magic, you would have BONERIPPER pegged.

Like most hardcore albums, things start to get samey towards the end, but they keep that anger flowing right until the final title track, where what sounds like A.I. narration recites words of encouragement while the music breaks your bones. Don’t let the cover art, which makes the band look like slam death metal, fool you…BONERIPPER proves great hardcore can come from somewhere besides the U.S.

BONERIPPER