Raging Speedhorn

The UK’s best kept secret have finally managed to get an album released Stateside, and the results are huge: How the Great Have Fallen is the album that all their self-destructing forefathers (Eyehategod, Iron Monkey, Buzzov*en) could never get their shit together and release. With a completely punishing production sound, the band sound like they are ready to destroy here, and whether the method of destruction is slow sludge metal or a trashed-up and strung out take on drunken Motörhead rock, the band manage to take the feeling of nihilism and anger that the aforementioned bands harnessed so sincerely and give it a slightly more accessible feel. Like Eyehategod, it’s a cross between the best elements of both Black Sabbath and Black Flag, with the freaky over-the-top punk attitude of the latter and the catchy near-boogie riffs of the former. And the song titles are too good: "A Different Shade of Shit,” "Fuck You Pay Me” and "How Much Can a Man Take” being but a few highlights. It’s taken three albums and a lot of hype overseas (admittedly, probably too much), but Raging Speedhorn have arrived — whether or not they’ll be able to keep it together for another remains to be seen, as it sure sounds like one unstable bunch of miscreants creating this lovable and ugly din. Even the hidden bonus track, a concept which has really run its course, is hilarious and worthy of repeat listens — a rare feat indeed.