What makes How the Great Have Fallen by Raging Speedhorn notable?

The album received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, reinforcing Raging Speedhorn's status within the extreme metal genre. It charted well in the UK, demonstrating the band's growing appeal and influence in the hardcore and sludge scenes during the mid-2000s. How the Great Have Fallen marked Raging Speedhorn's third studio album, following their 2002 release, We Will Be Dead. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their presence in the UK metal scene, building on their reputation for intense live performances and heavy sound. This album further established their signature style while showcasing a maturation in songwriting.

How many songs are on How the Great Have Fallen?

How the Great Have Fallen has 12 tracks, running approximately 61 minutes.

How the Great Have Fallen

Raging Speedhorn · 2005

61 min · 12 tracks · hardcore punk

A gritty blend of sludge and hardcore punk, fueled by raw energy and relentless aggression.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Oh How the Great Have Fallen — This title track encapsulates the album's themes of disillusionment and societal critique, driven by heavy riffs and aggressive vocals that define Raging Speedhorn's sound.
→
Fuck You! Pay Me! — Channeling anger through its confrontational lyrics and relentless tempo, this track exemplifies the band's hardcore punk influences while delivering a powerful message about exploitation.
→
Don't Let the Bastards Grind You Down — The lengthy closing track combines atmospheric elements with crushing heaviness, creating an epic finale that reflects both resilience and defiance against adversity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

48 /100

Foothills

Higher than 19% of albums we've rated

The album delivers intense energy and dynamic shifts but lacks standout compositions for lasting impact.

What we noticed

The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a relentless tone, maintaining high energy through the first half.
Several tracks feature abrupt tempo shifts, moving from aggressive riffs to slower, sludgy sections, creating dynamic contrasts.
The vocals are predominantly harsh and aggressive, often layered with backing screams that enhance the intensity of the sound.
The final track concludes with a drawn-out instrumental section that gradually fades out, providing a stark contrast to the preceding aggression.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 A Different Shade of Shit 4:22
2 Oh How the Great Have Fallen 3:44
3 Dead Man Walking 2:28
4 Master of Disaster 3:27
5 Snatching Defeat From the Jaws of Victory 3:29
6 How Much Can a Man Take 3:13
7 Fuck You! Pay Me! 4:09
8 Slay the Coward 6:58
9 The Infidel Is Dead 4:50
10 Don't Let the Bastards Grind You Down 18:09
11 God of Thunder 3:32
12 Hatred 3:37

What to play next

Listen next

Before the Sea Was Built

2007

Go back to

Live and Demos

2004

Full Raging Speedhorn discography Artists like Raging Speedhorn

extreme metal hardcore punk sludge metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata