Cloven Hoof: Never a Prophet in Your Own Land

Cloven Hoof is a NWOBHM band that has been around forever, but I've never heard a lick of their music...until now. Never a Prophet in Your Own Land is their brand-new 2026 album, and it's well worth your time. "Terror from the Sky" is a Raging NWOBHM track, not quite sure I love the overly histrionic vocals, but the riffs and frenzied drums are cool. Up next is "Conquistador" with opening Spanish guitar that is nicely done, and then the big crushing metal riffs kick in, along with some heavy keyboards. Good stuff! ,p.

"Never a Prophet" has plenty of keyboards in the arrangement, but the riffing is crunchy, and the vocals are potent; tasty harmony guitars too...another winner! That leads into "Gypsy Roller"...holy Uriah Heep meets Purple! Killer Hammond organ and beefy riffs. The vocals are a little over the top, but not bad. The middle heavy section is awesome, with the raging Hammond and mega-crunch guitars. Obviously one of my favorites here! "The Bigger They Are" is a mid-paced crusher; this one has a heavy prog -metal feel almost, more of those enormous Hammond tones and huge riffs, explosive lead guitars, another face melter here. On offer next is "Iron Mask", your standard speedy NWOBHM fare here, kinda generic, but still fun. Maiden fans will like this one.

"Phantom Chaser" is riff -tastic, and another must for classic Maiden fans. That leads into "Flying Dutchman" we get epic sounds on this one, the band getting all prog/power metally. I dig it! Loads of Maiden /Helloween styled twin guitar leads. Next up is "Prodigal Son"- a crunchy, mid-paced metal track. Sounds like Savatage in spots. Pretty catchy. Finsihing up this enjoyable album is "Seven Sacred Wonders," which opens with a cool little guitar lick ...another strong metal track here, complete with Middle Eastern flavor, blazing guitar and organ solos! Good stuff!

I had no expectations here, and I quite enjoyed this. I'll be investigating this band further!

1. Terror from the Skies 04:15
2. Conquistador 04:32
3. Never a Prophet 04:51
4. Gypsy Roller 04:46
5. The Bigger They Are 04:45
6. Iron Mask 04:50
7. Phantom Chaser 05:18
8. Flying Dutchman 05:24
9. Prodigal Son 04:51
10. Seven Sacred Wonders 03:57

Lee Payne - bass guitar
Harry (The Tyrant) Conklin - lead vocals
Luke Hatton - lead guitar
Chris Coss - lead guitar
Chris Dando - keyboards, backing vocals
Ash Baker - drums, backing vocals

Added: October 20th 2026
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 18
Language: english

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