JT Ripper - Gathering of the Insane

Just the other day, and review, I was talking about influences, the spots they take a band and how important they are. It took Rush one album to leave Led Zeppelin behind. Doom Metal bands will never leave Black Sabbath behind. It Krokus a life to leave AC/DC behind. And the list goes forever. Influences are very important to bands because they a kind of kickstart in music. Everybody begins playing their idols’ songs. Slayer started out with Judas Priest and Iron Maiden covers. Metallica with NWOBHM and some hardcore bands. It’s an important part of learning how to deal with a band. And it forges character and personality.

That’s exactly what happens to JT Ripper in “Gathering of the Insane” an album that disclosures at first notes that JT Ripper are hugely influenced by Slayer. The very first notes of “Cvlt” show us a band that learned well with the masters. I really love when a song starts out with an open free and sick guitar solo. JT Ripper perform as fast as Slayer’s early times. Guitar riffs in “Shadows” remind a lot Slayer’s “Show No Mercy” which is, of course a contemporary classic. But remember what I told the other review; to have influence doesn’t really mean that the band is a copycat. No, not at all. In fact, JT Ripper develop a personality throughout “Gathering of the Insane” which is a great thing. JT Ripper perform with wrath and an outstanding furious and ferocity. That counts a lot. Another nice thing is the wall of sound that they built in “Nighstalker.”

“Gathering of the Insane” is an album that will remind you of Slayer, but there are songs as “Them” that just goes very far from them – no, it’s not a pun. JT Ripper also reminds us metalheads that Heavy Metal needs to have tons of fury and anger and “Gathering of the Insane” has a lot of them. Great album for your days of fury.

JT Ripper “Gathering of the Insane” will be released on November 30th via I Hate Records.

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