Album Review: Raging Speedhorn - Hard To Kill
Reviewed by Tim Finch
I sit at my keyboard just a few weeks past the twentieth anniversary of Raging Speedhorn’s debut album. The band, and that album, hold a huge place in my heart, I grew up in this crazy world of heavy metal listening to that debut album, and witnessing the band so, so many times in sweaty little venues across the country. Their attitude not just “fuck the establishment” but “fuck everyone” resonated with many teenagers in late 99/early 2000’s Britain.
Now just weeks after that milestone, the band return with a brand new album, just their sixth studio album from their turbulent 22 year career. But after the ground breaking performances on 2016’s ‘Lost Ritual’ they’ve got a lot to live up to! Since that last album was released the bands’ shape has changed; over the past few years we’ve seen Andy Gilmour (bass – ex Hundred Reasons) , Dave Leese (guitars) and Dan Cook (vocals – ex RSJ) join original members Frank and Gordon, and guitar stalwart Jim Palmer. Dan with possibly the biggest shoes to fill taking the place of founding member John Loughlin who stood down over the summer of 2019.
The album kicks off in a ferocious melee of angst fuelled noise that is ‘Snakebite’, it’s pace and direction reminds me of that debut album all those years ago. Certainly faster and more aggressive than anything on the aforementioned ‘Last Ritual’. ‘Doom Machine’ sits opposite this, a slower track, that I’ll be honest on first listen I didn’t fully appreciate. But on multiple repeat plays (and I have had this album on repeat for over two weeks now) the song grows on the listener, it has depth that needs time to be digested, but once it sinks in, it grips on and won’t let go. Channelling the spirit of Crowbar into an awe inspiring new Speedhorn tune, one which that having sunk in, is for me, the stand out track on the album.
As the album progresses, the trademark Speedhorn sound seeps into the listeners ears. Title track ‘Hard To Kill’ a brutal riff fest, whilst 'Hammer Down’ is one hell of a heavy beast.
Throughout the recording thenew combinations work so well, the back line of Andy Gilmour working wonders with founding member Gordon Morrison on drums. The dual guitar attack of Jim Palmer and Dave Leese is as majestic on record as the pair have been in the live arena in recent years. Many peoples focus will have been on the vocals with Loughlin moving on, but fear not, Dan Cook’s pedigree comes to the fore. That dual vocal onslaught that the band are so famous for remains intact with Dan and Frank complementing each other perfectly.
The riff-fest is rounded out with a unique cover of ‘Children of the Revolution’. You’ve never heard T-Rex like this before!
Raging Speedhorn have always been a snarling beast of a band, With ‘Hard To Kill’ they have proven yet again, you cannot tame them, their uncompromising, rabid attitude lives on!
