Raging Speedhorn were formed in August 1998 On early Raging Speedhorn recordings, the music can be characterised by pounding
basslines, heavily distorted
riff-thick guitarwork and subject content consisting generally (but certainly not exclusively) of
hedonism, drug use, violence, antipathy for major band labels and depression.
Before the Sea Was Built was the only album the band produced with Larry Hibbitt of
Hundred Reasons. It was released on 11 September 2007 through Steamhammer, a subsidiary of
SPV Records. Tour dates were announced with
Trophy Scars on 8 March 2008. Weeks later, on 25 March 2008, it was announced the band would split after a final tour. However, the tour was unceremoniously canceled that same day reportedly due to an inability to confirm dates or properly promote. A "final" tour was eventually scheduled for October and November of 2008 with dates across the UK and Ireland and finishing in Japan. Members joined other bands elsewhere, including
Cardiff, Wales, and
Stockholm, Sweden. John Loughlin, Jay Thompson and Dave Thompson were in the metal band The Death of Us as of 2013. On 18 February 2014, it was announced that the band would reform to perform at
Damnation Festival in November 2014. Both John Loughlin and Frank Regan would feature on vocals, with the band showcasing tracks from their debut and sophomore albums. The band was also confirmed to play the UK leg of the 2014
Sonisphere festival. On 3 July 2014, the band played a sold-out hometown show with support from The Darkhorse and Heart of a Coward as a warm-up prior to playing at
Sonisphere two days later. On 7 July 2014, an eleven-date UK tour was announced. In January 2016, the band recorded their new full-length record,
Lost Ritual, with
Russ Russell at the Parlour Studios in
Kettering. On 14 September 2018, it was announced that guitarists Jim Palmer and Jamie Thompson had left the band. On 6 October 2018, the band performed a 20th-anniversary show at the
Electric Ballroom in London with the original lineup (John Loughlin, Frank Regan, Gordon Morison, Tony Loughlin, Gareth Smith & Darren Smith). On 19 December 2018, it was announced that James Palmer and Dave Leese had joined the band on guitars. It was announced in September 2019 that Daniel Cook would be replacing John Loughlin after 21 years. == Musical style ==