Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Speedwolf - Ride With Death (2011)

The wolves of metal have been really rising in the first two decades of the new millennium. Two of which include heavy/power metal acts Wolf and Powerwolf. And there are probably more obscure bands that also "wolf" in the name. One interesting band in the wolfpack is Speedwolf, cooking up a fresh new punky brand of speed metal. Though they are 25 years late in the scene compared to the other speed metal albums I've reviewed and, if we go slightly earlier, the proto-speed of Motorhead.

Only one album was made during their run from 2008 to 2016 (the same period as when Obama was the U.S. president). Ride With Death throws mighty punches for fans of hardcore/crossover thrash to enjoy. The vocals have kind of a Motorhead/Sodom vibe, while the distorted bass sounds like the bassist has learnt from the late Cliff Burton.

The band's own title track (NOT of the album) has a draggy two-minute intro, but then it speeds up right away, perfectly taking you on a wild ride. Things cool down slightly with the rocker "Up All Night" that sounds closer to Iron Maiden in the riffing. They then pick up some early-80s Slayer-like speed in "Out on Bail". There's another faster track "I am the Demon", in which the riffing would fit well for early Venom.

"Time to Annihilate" fires away again with massive energy, though with a slight modern taste. Another track "Never Twice" seems like they fuse power metal and technical thrash in the instrumentation. I like when they rock out in songs like "I Can't Die". Interestingly, "Death Ripper" sounds close to old-school black metal, especially in the vocals.

"Hell and Back" brings forward the band's attitude of alcoholic motor-bikers. When "The Reaper" speeds up, it reminds me a bit of Living Sacrifice's debut, but with more melody. Perhaps the best standout for me is the title track, a pure thrashy speed metal assault, reminding some of classic Tankard and other thrash bands' 80s breakthrough albums, all while keeping the melodic riffing going through the fast tempo. "Denver 666" is not the best way to end the album, but it keeps up the speed once more.

With the recent revival of thrash metal and speed metal, Speedwolf made a pretty great representation of reviving the latter genre's 80s essentials. The mix sounds different in this current age while giving listeners what to enjoy from its powerful past. A new rebellious metal generation out there is ready to ride, drink, smoke, and howl in the night!

Favorites: "Speedwolf", "Out on Bail", "Time to Annihilate", "I Can't Die", "The Reaper", "Ride With Death"