Hellripper’s James McBain on Songwriting, Live Transformation & His DIY Approach | ITN EP310 episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 24, 2026 · 2H 38M

Hellripper’s James McBain on Songwriting, Live Transformation & His DIY Approach | ITN EP310

from Into The Necrosphere · host Jackie Smit

Hellripper mastermind, James McBain, joins me on the show this week to chart the band’s evolution from a one-man black/speed metal assault to one of the most electrifying forces in the underground. We get into his songwriting process, the evolution of the Hellripper sound, and how he overcame performance anxiety to emerge as one of metal’s most commanding frontmen. On the Weekly News Rant, I react to two huge surprises from the past weekend: a new Darkthrone record and the long-awaited return of Neurosis. I also share first impressions of new material from Ashen Horde, High Parasite, and Samael, plus my take on the divisive new Exodus album—and plenty more. PLUS: Unsanctioned Filth spotlights rising Mexican chaos merchants Ov Darkness I Breed.   Featured Bands: Hellripper - https://hellripper.bandcamp.com/music  Ov Darkness I Breed - https://ovdarknessibreed.bandcamp.com/  Midnight - https://midnight-ohio.bandcamp.com/    Support Nick Barker: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nicholas-barker    Visit intothenecrosphere.com for playlists and more. Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and reviews. Follow on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the Horsemen of the Podcasting Apocalypse: Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

Hellripper mastermind, James McBain, joins me on the show this week to chart the band’s evolution from a one-man black/speed metal assault to one of the most electrifying forces in the underground. We get into his songwriting process, the evolution of the Hellripper sound, and how he overcame performance anxiety to emerge as one of metal’s most commanding frontmen. On the Weekly News Rant, I react to two huge surprises from the past weekend: a new Darkthrone record and the long-awaited return of Neurosis. I also share first impressions of new material from Ashen Horde, High Parasite, and Samael, plus my take on the divisive new Exodus album—and plenty more. PLUS: Unsanctioned Filth spotlights rising Mexican chaos merchants Ov Darkness I Breed.   Featured Bands: Hellripper - https://hellripper.bandcamp.com/music  Ov Darkness I Breed - https://ovdarknessibreed.bandcamp.com/  Midnight - https://midnight-ohio.bandcamp.com/    Support Nick Barker: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nicholas-barker    Visit intothenecrosphere.com for playlists and more. Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and reviews. Follow on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the Horsemen of the Podcasting Apocalypse: Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

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Hellripper’s James McBain on Songwriting, Live Transformation & His DIY Approach | ITN EP310

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This episode was published on March 24, 2026.

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Hellripper mastermind, James McBain, joins me on the show this week to chart the band’s evolution from a one-man black/speed metal assault to one of the most electrifying forces in the underground. We get into his songwriting process, the evolution...

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