Cloven Hoof continue what has been a strong year for what may be deemed “legacy” New Wave of British Heavy Metal era bands which are still with us releasing top class albums or have albums planned.
Never a Prophet in Your Own Land comes a couple of years or so after the somewhat disappointing Heathen Cross. But is Never a Prophet a step up on that?
The answer to that question is quite simply yes, it is. Lee Payne and the band push things forwards with this new album being much stronger and varied than Heathen Cross.
Of course it carries the NWOBHM DNA as you’d expect. Think back to A Sultan’s Ransom for example – that classic album from the late 1980s before the Hoof split before reforming at the start of the century.
In addition to the NWOBHM gallops there’s plenty of muscular, biting and razor sharp power going on throughout this album giving it a fresh feel showing there’s lots of life and enthusiasm fizzing away.
Everything you’d be looking for is here. Strong guitars riffing away with the obligatory scorching solos. Lee Payne’s a fine bassist with a drummer to lock in with and the vocals are on point of a little strained at times.
Terror from the Skies is a nice, aggressive opener spitting and speeding along. Conquistador has the old NWOBHM traces and something which would have not been out of place on Saxon’s Hell, Fire and Damnation album.
Never a Prophet is another banger to continue the blistering start to the album. Gypsy Roller brings in some good old fashioned Hammond Organ swirls for a bit of a mid-70s Uriah Heep effect and it’s great.
Here’s Never a Prophet:
Iron Mask rips it up with heaviness. The Bigger They Are doesn’t take itself too seriously. Prodigal Son moves into more of a melodic territory with the catchy hook and chorus.
Flying Dutchman and Seven Sacred Wonders evoke more of the vintage NWOBHM background splicing that with a modern atmospheric edge.
Cloven Hoof return to form with very fine album and much, much better than the preceding Heathen Cross. Top stuff.
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