Album Review: Werewolves – The Ugliest Of All (Back On Black)

Ten albums, ten years, and here we are at album number six in 2025. Australia’s Werewolves are back with another slab of harsh and heavy death metal. It’s ‘The Ugliest Of All’, and it is out now on Black on Black.

What is the point of life without a brand-new Werewolves record? Ok, I am being a bit over the top there, but the Aussie death merchants have become such a staple of my yearly listening, that the time when they’re not defecating in my ears just feels that little bit emptier.

Thankfully it is the most wonderful time of the year again. Werewolves are back and with an aptly titled new album. One that features nine of the nastiest, violent, and vomit-inducing death metal tracks released this year. Signature Werewolves, familiar in a bowel-loosening way, but not the sound of a band half-arseing it either. Werewolves continue to throw their absolute all into delivering the most manic, madness inducing, and meaty metal possible. Albeit one with a more polished blackened edge.

This is the fifth Werewolves album I’ve reviewed (What a Time to Be Alive – 2021 / From the Cave to the Grave – 2022 / My Enemies Look and Sound like Me – 2023 / Die for Us – 2024). The only one missing is the debut, and this new one is up there as one of my favourite. All because I think Werewolves have really nailed their sound here, condensing it down and refining it to a sharp, stabby point.

It flies by in a blur of garish riffs and punchy power chords, furious blast beat drumming, and vitriolic vocals. Creating a confrontational sound that is unmistakably Werewolves. The tempo is super-heated throughout, and even when we do get some slower moments, they’re so short-lived that they barely register. All anyone will remember is the eye-watering speed, ruthless intensity, and sharp, witty lyrical content.

That’s not a knock though, as being callously fast and viciously heavy is akin to breathing for Werewolves. Consistent as always. If you’re expecting something different, you’re looking in the wrong place. This is death metal through and through. Violent, hostile, unforgiving, offensive, and ugly. What more could the average head banger want? Roll on album number seven in 2026.

Werewolves – The Ugliest of All Track Listing:

1. Fools Of The Trade
2. I Want To Be Offended
3. Skullbattering
4. Unoriginal Sin
5. The Enshittification
6. Logorrea
7. Rats Versus Snakes
8. Slaves To The Blast
9. The Ugliest Of All

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