Ripper - ...And the Dead Shall Rise

Ripper - ...And the Dead Shall Rise

When it comes to cult and underground metal bands, one of the first that pops in my mind is the US Metal outfit Ripper from Texas
\r\nRipper formed in the late 70’s and they seemed to be influenced by the theatrical – Grand Guignol movement and theatrical bands like Alice Cooper, Kiss, plus the early 30’s horror cinema and thus they decided to move into the not – so – popular movement of horror metal. So in 1985 Ripper managed to release their first demo tape with four compositions and a year later their first LP “...And the Dead Shall Rise” on the indie label Iron Works. In this album the band plays some great us power metal with very intense macabre elements that can be easily recognized from the lyrical themes, the music it self and of course the full costumed cover and back cover photos while the vocal duties share between Rob Graves and Sadie Paine.
\r\nRipper during their live shows used stage clothing and according to some people, it was so difficult for Ripper to other bands for shows because most of the bands were refusing due too Ripper’s memorable stage act that would of course “bury” the other bands’ performances. There have been much people that often categorize Ripper amongst bands like Death SS, Lizzy Borden or even Mercyful Fate but it seems that except their lyrical themes and stage clothing there are not so many similarities here, just because Ripper is a classic US metal group.
\r\nThe most significant moment of Ripper was just after their album release were Metal Blade contacted the band for a possible future release, so the band moved to California but unfortunately the only outcome of this negotiation was the track “Death Awaits You” to be a part of the famous “Metal Massacre VIII” Various Artists collection.
\r\nAfter that the band , disbanded leaving some of the most vinyl collectors out there to search for their only album that have been released on colour vinyl and on limited picture disc. But thankfully in 2003 the Italian label Black Widow re released their album on CD and Vinyl and in 2009 Ripper formed again to release their second LP “The Dead Has Rizen
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\r\nLampros “Witchfynder” Tennes
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