Cloven Hoof

Eon · Post by **Eon** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:36 pm

Alright, here we can discuss anything that has to do with Cloven Hoof.
Discovered this band about 6 months ago or so thanks to lurking around youtube. Since then I have gotten my hands on S/t, Eye of The Sun and A Sultans Ransom on CD and Dominator on LP. Love all except EotS, but I think A Sultans Ransom is the best.
Anyway, part of the reason for making this topic was that I have a couple of questions.
Does anybody know how many copies of The Opening Ritual there exists?
Was ever Dominator released on CD by FM Revolver?

ION BRITTON · Post by **ION BRITTON** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:44 pm

One of the greatest ever. Here's my ratings:

Opening ritual 9/10
Cloven Hoof 10/10
Fighting back 5/10
Dominator 1500/10
A sultans ransom 1000/10
Eye of the sun 3/10

great_knuthulhu · Post by **great_knuthulhu** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:49 pm

ION BRITTON wrote:One the greatest ever. Here's my ratings:

Opening ritual 9/10
Cloven Hoof 10/10
Fighting back 5/10
Dominator 1500/10
A sultans ransom 1000/10
Eye of the sun 3/10

Inflation seems to have hit you hard there John

Cloven Hoof is the best one for me, though Dominator and Sultan's Ransom are also fantastic, and Opening Ritual is very close too. I don't know of a better metal song than Gates of Gehenna.

ION BRITTON · Post by **ION BRITTON** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:54 pm

Those ratings have been the same for years, inflation couldn't affect them in no case

mordred · Post by **mordred** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 10:10 pm

One of the best bands there ever was. Their catalogue is not without flaws but the best stuff is otherworldly. The S/T is the best for me with A Sultan's Ransom a close second. Both are 11/10.

I am very grateful to have seen Cloven Hoof live with the incomparable Russ North (what a voice!) three times and I am still gutted that he left the band. I was listening through the album "The Definitive part one" (a disc with old songs re-recorded) the other day and realized something. While I don't like the Eye of the Sun album there is two songs originally from that on "The Definitive" ("Kiss of Evil" and "Inquisitor") and they kick fucking ass with Russ North singing them and with the new arrangement! They should have redone the whole album with him while they were at it.

It will be interesting to see what the next album will bring. I don't hope for much. I'm sure Lee Payne can still write good songs but I think there's a great risk it will be ruined by modern production and god knows replacing Russ North won't be easy. Damn, him at Headbangers Open Air this summer is one of the most unreal performances I've ever heard. I can think back on him screaming "my name is Lucifer, abductor of your soul" and get goosebumps.

My favorite Cloven Hoof songs (off the top of my head):

1. The Gates of Gehenna
2. Road of Eagles (Dominator version)
3. Mistress of the Forest
4. Return of the Passover
5. Forgotten Heroes
6. Astral Rider
7. Cloven Hoof
8. Highlander
9. Nova Battlestar
10. Night Stalker

ION BRITTON · Post by **ION BRITTON** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 10:22 pm

mordred wrote: My favorite Cloven Hoof songs (off the top of my head):

Reach for the sky
Road of eagles
Mistress of the forest
Return of the passover
Forgotten heroes
Highlander
Nova Battlestar
1001 Nights
Gates of Gehenna
Starship Sentinel

Eon · Post by **Eon** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 10:46 pm

My favourites:
Mistress of the Forest
Astral Rider
Highlander
1001 Nights
Rising Up
Nova Battlestar
Reach For The Sky
Return of the Passover
The Gates of Gehenna
Laying Down The Law

Mistress of The Forest is probably their best song. The perfect album closer.

Dark Stranger · Post by **Dark Stranger** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 11:22 pm

mordred wrote:The S/T is the best for me with A Sultan's Ransom a close second. Both are 11/10.

Yep! Spot on there mate. The s/t is my favourite album of the NWOBHM.

mordred · Post by **mordred** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 11:28 pm

Damn, I listened to "Kiss of Evil" and "Inquisitor" from Eye of the Sun back to back with the versions on The Definitive part on, and the difference in quality is unbelievable!

Black Axe · Post by **Black Axe** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 11:46 pm

I don't own everything, and I need to re-listen some.

I'm just glad I got to see them live with Russ. I'm hardly looking forward to the new album now.

Abyss · Post by **Abyss** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 1:09 am

I chose A Sultan's Ransom the music is great and the collection of items on the album cover reminds me of something that might be sitting around at my grandfathers house

.

Nightlock · Post by **Nightlock** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 3:42 am

Dominator by far.

The Erlking · Post by **The Erlking** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:18 am

Oh please this poll is vicious! It's really hard to choose between the S/T, Dominator and Sultan's Ransom.

omen of hate · Post by **omen of hate** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 8:55 am

I can't vote for this one. You should have added "Everything except Eye of the Sun" option.

mordred · Post by **mordred** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 10:17 am

omen of hate wrote:I can't vote for this one. You should have added "Everything except Eye of the Sun" option.

I hardly think anyone would consider Fighting Back the high water mark in their catalogue either!

Furthermore, I'm surprised to see people rating Dominator this high. I think it's rather uneven. In my opinion about half of it is great and "Road of Eagles" is immortal, but on the whole I definitely don't think it is as strong as S/T or A Sultan's Ransom. The prodcution is rather messy too.

Cloven Hoof

Stand up and Be Counted!

Cloven Hoof