Review: Raging Speedhorn – Night Wolf

February 7, 2025

Hungry like the (Night) Wolf

Raging Speedhorn have an interesting history. Formed in the late ’90s, they caught a following in the UK underground when they released their debut album during the high popularity in nu-metal. Their debut included one of their most popular singles in “Thumper,” which showed off their style at the time that included having two vocalists in the band. After breaking up in 2008 following 4 albums, they reformed 6 years later in 2014. Since then, they have been a regular name in the UK underground scene again with the addition of two more releases. Now 5 years after their last release, they are back with their 7th album, Night Wolf.

Raging Speedhorn’s sound is a Jack Daniels-flavoured boozy blend of sludge, hardcore, groove & hard rock. Night Wolf kicks off with “Blood Red Sky,” showcasing their grooves and doom with a fist of brutality. This is an energetic start to the album; it is followed up with the catchy, up-tempo “Buzz Killa” that (no pun intended) keeps up the buzz in this album. More of the filthy doom side of the band comes out in the form of “The Blood Code;” this track is a good showing of the bass that does a really nice job in giving off the filthy tone alongside the alcohol-fueled Black Sabbath taint of the guitar riffs.

“Can’t Stop” shows off more of their hardcore side and their two vocalists trading off lines, which has always been a very cool part of Raging Speedhorn’s DNA. My favourite track on the album comes in the form of “Every Night’s Alright for Fighting.” This song has the energy to open a load of mosh pits with its party vibe that finishes off hard with a doomy breakdown. The title track of the album, “Night Wolf,” gives off more of a hard rock vibe with a fun sing-along chorus while remaining heavy and groovy in its own way.

“DOA” takes a punkier route while staying angry in its delivery and keeping the filthy tone and groovy riffing intact. This continues with “Comin’ In Hard” but this track ends with a fun inclusion of a piano playing in sync with the other instruments that reminds me a bit of Andrew WK in a way. The weakest track on Night Wolf comes in the form of “Dead Men Can’t Dance;” it goes through similar motions as previous tracks but doesn’t have a hook that makes me want to go back for further listens. This is also felt with the closing track, “Dead Reckoning,” which again goes for a punky direction but doesn’t hit it out of the park compared to previous tracks. It feels like “Comin’ In Hard” would have finished the album more effectively.

Overall, I had a fun time listening to Night Wolf. This is one of those albums that isn’t going to be winning any awards, but you put it on in the background while having several alcoholic beverages and feel satisfied. Raging Speedhorn did a fine job in delivering an album that takes you on a journey with a range in sludge, doom, groove, hardcore and hard rock. The mixture of floor-punching heaviness and groovy and doomy riffs with an occasional curveball delivers well as expected for an experienced band of this calibre. It’s like if you blended up Motorhead, High on Fire and Black Sabbath with Jack Daniels, you get Night Wolf. I can imagine some of the tracks on here being a riot when played live for sure, especially “Every Night’s Alright for Fighting” and “Comin’ In Hard”.