Album Review: Raging Speedhorn - Night Wolf
Reviewed by Tim Finch
Raging Speedhorn have never been followers of a set path, since their earliest moments and their 2000 self titled debut they have stood alone, a unique yet menacing sight to behold. Their foreboding presence looms large over the British scene, their sound ready to batter the unsuspecting at a moment’s notice.
Over the years the line up has fluctuated, but founding members Gordon Morrison and Frank Regan have kept the Speedhorn juggernaut moving forward, and alongside some of the best musicians the UK has to offer they are set to torment us once more with seventh studio album ‘Night Wolf’
Five years ago ‘Hard To Kill’ set the tone for Raging Speedhorn moving forwards. It was loud, brash, angry and unmistakingly Raging Fucking Speedhorn! It was a beast of a record that would be daunting for anyone to follow. But follow it they have, and as opener ‘Blood Red Sky’ kicks in the listener is drawn back into the mayhem.
The catchy, yet meaty riff oozes the bands persona, picking up just where its predecessor left off. Frank and Dan’s duelling howls meld into the most raucous cacophony as your head begins to bang uncontrollably. The lads are back!
‘Buzz Killa’ takes us further into the bands haunting world, the riffs as heavy as ever, Andy’s bass vibrating your soul as the riffs berate your ear drums, but at points an element of melody is thrown into the fray.
The pace and weight of the album varies throughout, ‘The Blood Code’ slowing things down, Gordon’s pounding drums echoing off the chucky bass lines as Dan and Frank growls get lower and darker.
However, its ‘Every Night’s Alright For Fighting' - a tribute to Sir Elton maybe? - where the album really kicks off. The pace goes through the roof, the listeners are banging theirs heads a breakneck speed, this is peak Speedhorn. When the band hit the road this March this song is going to level venues, the pits melding into a wrecking ball that will be unstoppable.
The album’s title track takes us forward slowing the pace a little, adding a hint of Corrosion of Conformity into the mix with a riff Pepper Keenan himself will envy. Whilst 'DOA' has a punk rock feel to it with its rough and ready mix and fast paced attitude.
There is no doubting this is true Raging Speedhorn. All the attitude, all the angst, all the fury that makes us love the band more and more with each passing day. Gordon, Dan, Frank, Jim, Andy, Daf take a bow, you have produced one hell of an album! Never change boys, never change!
