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Cloven Hoof: Heathen Cross
Cloven Hoof - Heathen Cross Album Art

Cloven Hoof: Heathen Cross

Traditional Heavy Metal (NWoBHM)
4.5/5.0

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High Roller Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 29.05.2024 | Released: 31.05.2024

Formed in 1979, iconic and seminal New Wave of British Heavy Metal band Cloven Hoof has had a renaissance since reforming in 2001. Original member and bass player Lee Payne has remained the pillar and guiding force behind the band, despite excessive personnel changes. Since their comeback album, 2006's Eye Of The Sun, Cloven Hoof has been dropping albums faithfully over the last 18 years, even more consistently over the last four years. Now the band returns with their latest and tenth long player, Heathen Cross, back with High Roller Records. The album features veteran vocalist Harry (The Tyrant) Conklin (Jag Panzer, et al) with Ash Baker returning on drums and Chris Dando on keyboards.

Cloven Hoof - Click For Larger Image

Cloven Hoof: Payne second left

Payne comments on the new album: "... it is hands down my favourite Cloven Hoof album. We wanted to recapture the spirit and the supernatural majesty of the debut album." Of Conklin, Payne offers this: "He knows how to live and sell a song. Harry is like an actor telling a story, no one interprets my lyrics like Mr. Conklin. I can't praise him enough. We should have worked together years ago."


With little doubt Cloven Hoof captures all the classic NWoBHM elements that made the genre entertaining and influential: twin guitar harmony, gallop and groove from the rhythm section, soaring lead vocals and gang backing vocals, memorable refrains, and epic guitar solos. The addition of Conklin on the microphone adds depth to the arrangements thanks to his versatility, range, and ability to carry the song melody. All these things are self-evident within Vendetta, Frost And Fire, Do What Thou Wilt, and my personal favorite, Darkest Before The Dawn. For a slight shift, Sabbat Stones turns more upon a heavy steady pace, perhaps with whispers of doom metal.

All in all, with Heathen Cross, Cloven Hoof proves again that they are masters of the traditional NWoBHM genre, with no compromise. If you dig classic heavy metal, then get out your denim or leather kutte and bang your head with Cloven Hoof. Up the irons! Recommended.



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The Take Away

All in all, with Heathen Cross, Cloven Hoof proves again that they are masters of the traditional NWoBHM genre, with no compromise. If you dig classic heavy metal, then get out your denim or leather kutte and bang your head with Cloven Hoof. Up the irons! Recommended.

Support the artist, click the link below to buy the album at Amazon (US site) in your favorite format.

Purchase Cloven Hoof - Heathen Cross at Amazon
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