Cloven Hoof are an English heavy metal band from

Wolverhampton Wolverhampton () is a city, metropolitan borough and administrative centre in the West Midlands, England. The population size has increased by 5.7%, from around 249,500 in 2011 to 263,700 in 2021. People from the city are called "Wulfrunian ...

, active from 1979 to 1990, and again from around 2000 onward. They were associated with the new wave of British heavy metal movement, alongside bands such as

Iron Maiden Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. While fluid in the early years of the band, the lineup for most of the band's history has consisted of Harri ...

Saxon The Saxons ( la, Saxones, german: Sachsen, ang, Seaxan, osx, Sahson, nds, Sassen, nl, Saksen) were a group of Germanic * * * * peoples whose name was given in the early Middle Ages to a large country (Old Saxony, la, Saxonia) near the Nor ...

, and Diamond Head. Enduring many line-up changes, only founding bassist Lee Payne has remained a constant member throughout the decades.

Biography

Early years: 1979–1987

Cloven Hoof went through a number of early line-up changes before settling on a steady line-up that would last for their first few recordings. Theatrical from the beginning, the four band members took up

pseudonyms A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person or group assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true name (orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individua ...

based on the four elements: David "Water" Potter, Steve "Fire" Rounds, Lee "Air" Payne and Kevin "Earth" Poutney. This line-up recorded a successful demo tape in 1982, along with ''

The Opening Ritual ''The Opening Ritual'' is an EP by the British heavy metal band Cloven Hoof, and their debut release. The track in this EP, "''The Gates Of Gehenna''" was re-recorded by the same band for their self-titled first full-length studio album. There ...

'' EP, and the debut '' Cloven Hoof'' album (1984). Following the release of their self-titled debut, David Potter left the band to be replaced by

Rob Kendrick Trapeze were an English rock band from Cannock, Staffordshire. Formed in 1969, the band originally featured former The Montanas members John Jones (trumpet, vocals) and Terry Rowley (keyboards), and former Finders Keepers members Glenn Hughes ( ...

, who took up the "Water" pseudonym. This line-up only managed to record the live album '' Fighting Back'' (1987) before splitting up, leaving Lee Payne as the sole remaining band member.

1988–1990

Lee Payne reactivated the band in 1988, hiring vocalist

Russ North Russ North (born 22 July 1965) is an English singer, best known for his role in the heavy metal band Cloven Hoof. North had several stints with Cloven Hoof, from 1987 to 1990 and again from 2006 to 2009. In 2011, he was asked back with the ban ...

and guitarist Andy Wood from Tredegar along with drummer Jon Brown. With a whole new set of musicians in place, the band dropped the stage names and went on to record two more albums: 1988's '' Dominator'' and 1989's ''

A Sultan's Ransom ''A Sultan's Ransom'', released in 1989, is the third full-length studio album by the British heavy metal band Cloven Hoof. It is the last Cloven Hoof album to feature Andy Wood on guitar, due to contractual difficulties that forced the whole b ...

''. The former member of Tredegar, Lee Jones, was brought into the band as a second guitarist soon after the release of these two albums, but contractual difficulties caused the band to split up again in 1990.

2001–2007

In the summer of 2001, Lee Payne began putting together a new line-up for the next incarnation of Cloven Hoof (following a telephone conversation with Andy Wood regarding the contractual difficulties which had caused the band's decade-long split.) The band completed a live appearance at the Keep It True II Festival at the Tauberfrankenhalle in

Lauda-Königshofen Lauda-Königshofen is a town in the Main-Tauber district in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated on the river Tauber, 7 km southeast of Tauberbischofsheim, and 30 km southwest of Würzburg. Most of the roughly 300 houses in the ...

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

on 10 April 2004. ''

Eye of the Sun Cloven Hoof are an English heavy metal band from Wolverhampton, active from 1979 to 1990, and again from around 2000 onward. They were associated with the new wave of British heavy metal movement, alongside bands such as Iron Maiden, Saxon ...

'' was recorded and released in 2006, with the help of musicians Matt Moreton on vocals, Andy Shortland on guitars, and Lynch Radinsky on drums. Tom Galley produced the album. Due to the work commitments of various band members it was impossible for the unit to play live, so Lee Payne was once again obliged to enlist new personnel. Vocalist Russ North returned to England and rejoined the band, after a period of time spent living in Spain. Eventually the band's line-up was completed by Mick Powell and Ben Read on guitars, with Jon Brown on drums.

2008–present

A collection of re-recorded songs - ''

The Definitive Part One ''The Definitive Part One'', released in 2008], is a compilation album by British heavy metal band Cloven Hoof. Apart from one new song, "Mutilator", all of the tracks are re-recorded versions of existing Cloven Hoof songs from the past. The dr ...

'' - was released in early 2008, with a new Extended Play, EP to be called ''

Throne of Damnation ''Throne of Damnation'' is an EP by British power metal/ heavy metal band Cloven Hoof, released in 2010. It features three new songs and two are re-recordings of existing Cloven Hoof songs. Russ North Russ North (born 22 July 1965) is an E ...

'' scheduled for release in 2010. In 2008, Cloven Hoof co-headlined the ''Metal Brew'' Festival in

Mill Hill Mill Hill is a suburb in the London Borough of Barnet, England. It is situated around northwest of Charing Cross. Mill Hill was in the historic county of Middlesex until 1965, when it became part of Greater London. Its population counted 18, ...

with

Pagan Altar Pagan Altar is an English doom metal band formed by Terry Jones and his son Alan in 1978 in the borough of Brockley in London. History Alongside Witchfinder General, they are one of the few new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) bands to ...

. Both bands also performed at the ''British Steel IV'' Festival at the Camden Underworld in 2009. On 27 June 2009, Cloven Hoof appeared at the ''

Bang Your Head!!! Bang Your Head!!! is a heavy metal and hard rock festival held annually in Germany. First held in 1996 as a one-day indoor event in the Stefan-Hartmann-Halle in Tübingen with a crowd of 600 people, Bang Your Head!!! has since moved to Balingen ...

'' festival in Balingen,

. They featured on the bill alongside bands such as W.A.S.P.,

U.D.O. U.D.O. is a German heavy metal band founded by lead vocalist Udo Dirkschneider in 1987. History Following Udo Dirkschneider's departure from Accept in 1987, he formed his own band called U.D.O. He recruited guitarists Mathias Dieth and Peter ...

, Blind Guardian and Journey, playing their set in torrential rain. The track ''Nightstalker'', from the band's debut album, was used in the soundtrack for the Brütal Legend computer game. In early 2010, following the exit of Russ North, Matt Moreton was hired to record the vocals that appeared on the ''

'' EP. Moreton left the band due to ill health soon afterwards. On 13 December 2010, Cloven Hoof released their first DVD, ''

- Video Archive'', comprising footage of a 1989 concert at

Lichfield Lichfield () is a cathedral city and civil parish in Staffordshire, England. Lichfield is situated roughly south-east of the county town of Stafford, south-east of Rugeley, north-east of Walsall, north-west of Tamworth and south-west of B ...

Art Centre and also featuring two music videos for the songs "Mad, Mad World" and "Highlander", both from ''

''. 2011 saw Lee Payne rebuilding the band, bringing in guitarist Joe Whelan from the band Dementia and guitarist Chris Coss from UK/DC, along with drummer Mark Gould and Ash Cooper on vocals. This line-up released a music video called ''I'm Your Nemesis'' and an updated version of "Nightstalker". Russ North parted company with Cloven Hoof for a final time in July 2012, following a controversial performance in Cyprus. Mark Gould left the band in August 2012, with Jake Oseland replacing him on drums in time for a series of live dates in 2013. The 2013 line-up of Cloven Hoof scheduled a debut UK concert appearance with Jameson Raid and Hollow Ground at

Wolverhampton Civic Hall The Halls Wolverhampton, formally known as Wolverhampton Civic Halls is a music venue in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England. It has been one of the most notable live music venues in the county for several decades. It is part of a complex als ...

on 30 March 2013. On 27 April 2013, Cloven Hoof played a concert at the Parkhotel Hall in Tirol, Austria. The show was recorded by producer Patrick Engel for a future live album release. A studio album, provisionally entitled ''Resist or Serve'', was planned for release on High Roller Records. On 23 June 2013, Cloven Hoof played at the R-Mine Festival in

Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...

, on a bill which included

Hell In religion and folklore, hell is a location in the afterlife in which evil souls are subjected to punitive suffering, most often through torture, as eternal punishment after death. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hell ...

, Tygers of Pan Tang and

Tank A tank is an armoured fighting vehicle intended as a primary offensive weapon in front-line ground combat. Tank designs are a balance of heavy firepower, strong armour, and good battlefield mobility provided by tracks and a powerful engin ...

. This was followed by an appearance at the Heavy Metal Night 6 Festival in

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...

on 21 September 2013. In 2014, Cloven Hoof were added to the bill for the

Sweden Rock Festival The Sweden Rock Festival is an annual rock/metal festival held in Sweden since 6 June 1992. While having a clear rock/metal focus, the festival is noted for its diversity across these genres, from southern rock bands such as Molly Hatchet to de ...

, with

Black Sabbath Black Sabbath were an English rock music, rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward (musician), Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. They are often cited as pioneers of heavy met ...

and

Alice Cooper Alice Cooper (born Vincent Damon Furnier, February 4, 1948) is an American rock singer whose career spans over five decades. With a raspy voice and a stage show that features numerous props and stage illusions, including pyrotechnics, guillot ...

. An appearance at the Power and Glory Festival in Hatfield was scheduled for 23 August 2014, with further European tour dates due to take place throughout the year.

Band members

* Lee Payne – bass (1979–1990, 2000–present) * Chris Dando – vocals * Chris Coss – guitars (2011–present) * Luke Hatton – guitars (2014–2018, 2020-present) * Ash Baker - drums

Former members (those featured on albums)

Vocals *

(1986–1990, 2006–2009, 2011–2012) *

(1985–1986) * David Potter (1982–1984) * Matt Moreton (2000–2006, 2009) Guitar * Steve Rounds (1982–1986) * Andy Wood (1988–1990, 2004) * Andy Shortland (2005–2006) * Ben Read (2007–2010) * Mick Powell (2007, 2008, 2009–2010) * Ash Baker (2019) Drums * Kevin Pountney (1979–1986) * Lynch Radinsky (2005–2006) * Jon Brown (1987–1990, 2007–2010) * Danny White (2017-2019) * Mark Harris Bristow (2019-2022)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

*'' Cloven Hoof'' (1984) *'' Dominator'' (1988, re-released 2011 & 2012) *''

'' (1989, re-released 2012) *''Eye of the Sun'' (2006) *''Resist or Serve'' ( 6 June 2014) *''Who Mourns for the Morning Star'' (28 April 2017) *''The Age of Steel'' (24 April 2020) *''Time Assassin'' (11 March 2022)

Live albums

*'' Fighting Back'' (1986)

Compilation albums

*''

'' (2008)

EPs

*''

'' (1982) *''

'' (2010)

Demos

*''1982 Demo'' (1982) *''Second 1982 Demo'' (1982)

Videos and DVDs

*''

- Video Archive'' (DVD) (2010)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Cloven Hoof Musical groups established in 1979 English power metal musical groups Wolverhampton Musical quintets English heavy metal musical groups Musical groups disestablished in 1990 Musical groups reestablished in 2000 New Wave of British Heavy Metal musical groups Musical groups from West Midlands (county)