Album Review: Raging Speedhorn – Night Wolf (Spinefarm Records / UMG)

Legendary British metallers Raging Speedhorn return with ‘Night Wolf’, their seventh studio album, released on March 7th, 2025, on Spinefarm Records.

The boys are f**king back!

I am wholeheartedly convinced that this band is getting better and better with age. Writing the best music of their careers, delivering the strongest live shows, and approaching everything with a fervour that just makes their icon status even more important. While the self-titled debut album (2000) will always be a seminal piece of work, what they are producing in the modern times is so much stronger.

All because Speedhorn have focus these days and know exactly how to get the best out of themselves and each other. Their dirty amalgamation of sludge, groove, doom, hardcore, and hard rock has always delivered exciting results, but Night Wolf is another big step forward for the group.

Putting brutality at the forefront of their sound with opening track, Blood Red Sky, Speedhorn bring the heavy. However, it’s the groove that slays here. Big riffs, crushing drums, and scathing vocals, it’s a banger start, and complimented by the hyperactive Buzz Killer, which will go down great live, and the filthy sound of The Blood Code. The latter is where all fans of Speedhorn’s doomier side get to feast.

What’s an aspect of Raging Speedhorn that makes them so special? It is, of course, multiple vocalists and how they play off each other. Can’t Stop showcases this in stompy hardcore style. If you want a bit more virulent violence, this track delivers. Whereas if you’re after a modern Speedhorn pit anthem then Every Night’s Alright for Fighting is where its at. Fast, furious, and so much f**king fun.

It, and the following title track, are perfect examples of a tight and focused Raging Speedhorn doing what modern Raging Speedhorn do so well. No big surprises, but plenty to love, especially when it comes with so much heavy groove. Don’t forget, they’re not a ‘one-note’ band, and further proof of their varied ways comes with the punky DOA. After all, who doesn’t love a spitting and snarling Speedhorn?

The latter part of the album flies by too. Especially when there’s something as special as Comin’ In Hard to experience. High-powered hard rock energy that has frenzied piano playing along in places. Yes, you heard that right. It’s probably going to divide listeners, but I love it.

Then, there is the penultimate track, Dead Men Can’t Dance, delivering even more hefty Speedhorn goodness. Before this banger release closes out with the short intensity of Dead Reckoning, the band showing off a little more of that punk spirit. It’s a quality exclamation point on the album, which can be simply summed up as pure Raging Speedhorn satisfaction. They really are at the top of their game right now.

Raging Speedhorn – Night Wolf Track Listing:

1. Blood Red Sky
2. Buzz Killer
3. The Blood Code
4. Can’t Stop
5. Every Night’s Alright for Fighting
6. Night Wolf
7. DOA
8. Comin’ In Hard
9. Dead Men Can’t Dance
10. Dead Reckoning

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