Early Years: 1979–1987
During their early years, Cloven Hoof experienced several lineup changes before finally settling on a stable formation that lasted for their initial recordings. From the very beginning, the four band members embraced a theatrical approach and adopted pseudonyms inspired by the four elements: David "Water" Potter, Steve "Fire" Rounds, Lee "Air" Payne, and Kevin "Earth" Poutney. This lineup successfully recorded a demo tape in 1982, as well as The Opening Ritual EP and their self-titled debut album in 1984.
Following the release of their debut album, David Potter departed from the band and was replaced by Rob Kendrick, who took on the pseudonym "Water." This lineup only managed to record the live album Fighting Back (1987) before disbanding, leaving Lee Payne as the sole remaining member.
1988–1990
In 1988, Lee Payne revived the band and recruited vocalist Russ North and guitarist Andy Wood from the band Tredegar, along with drummer Jon Brown. With a fresh lineup in place, the band abandoned their stage names and went on to produce two more albums: Dominator (1988) and A Sultan's Ransom (1989). Lee Jones, a former member of Tredegar, joined as a second guitarist shortly after the release of these albums. However, contractual issues led to another breakup in 1990.
2001–2007
In the summer of 2001, Lee Payne began assembling a new lineup for the next iteration of Cloven Hoof, following a discussion with Andy Wood regarding the previous contractual difficulties that had caused the band's decade-long hiatus. The band made a live appearance at the Keep It True II Festival in Lauda-Königshofen, Germany, on April 10, 2004.
They recorded and released Eye of the Sun in 2006, featuring musicians Matt Moreton on vocals, Andy Shortland on guitars, and Lynch Radinsky on drums. The album was produced by Tom Galley. Due to various members' work commitments, the band was unable to perform live, prompting Lee Payne to once again recruit new personnel.
Vocalist Russ North returned to England and rejoined the band after spending some time living in Spain. The band's lineup was eventually completed by Mick Powell and Ben Read on guitars, along with Jon Brown on drums.
2008–Present
In early 2008, the band released a collection of re-recorded songs titled The Definitive Part One, with plans to release a new EP called Throne of Damnation in 2010.
Cloven Hoof co-headlined the Metal Brew Festival in Mill Hill with Pagan Altar in 2008. Both bands also performed at the British Steel IV Festival at the Camden Underworld in 2009. On June 27, 2009, Cloven Hoof appeared at the Bang Your Head!!! festival in Balingen, Germany, sharing the stage with bands like W.A.S.P., U.D.O., Blind Guardian, and Journey, despite the heavy rain during their set.
The track "Nightstalker" from Cloven Hoof's debut album was featured in the soundtrack for the Brütal Legend computer game.
In early 2010, following Russ North's departure, Matt Moreton was enlisted to record the vocals for the Throne of Damnation EP. However, Moreton left the band shortly afterward due to health issues. On December 13, 2010, Cloven Hoof released their first DVD titled A Sultan's Ransom - Video Archive. It featured footage from a 1989 concert at Lichfield Art Centre, as well as two music videos for the songs "Mad, Mad World" and "Highlander" from A Sultan's Ransom.
In 2011, Lee Payne embarked on rebuilding the band by bringing in guitarist Joe Whelan from the band Dementia and guitarist Chris Coss from UK/DC. Drummer Mark Gould and Ash Cooper joined as well, providing vocals. This lineup released a music video called "I'm Your Nemesis" and an updated version of "Nightstalker." However, Russ North parted ways with Cloven Hoof for the final time in July 2012, following a controversial performance in Cyprus. Mark Gould also left the band in August 2012, and Jake Oseland replaced him on drums in time for a series of live shows in 2013.
The 2013 lineup of Cloven Hoof scheduled their debut UK concert appearance at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on March 30, 2013, alongside Jameson Raid and Hollow Ground. On April 27, 2013, Cloven Hoof performed a concert at the Parkhotel Hall in Tirol, Austria, which was recorded by producer Patrick Engel for a future live album release. The band had plans to release a studio album provisionally titled Resist or Serve on High Roller Records.
On June 23, 2013, Cloven Hoof played at the R-Mine Festival in Belgium, sharing the bill with Hell, Tygers of Pan Tang, and Tank. They also made an appearance at the Heavy Metal Night 6 Festival in Italy on September 21, 2013. In 2014, Cloven Hoof was added to the lineup for the Sweden Rock Festival, performing alongside Black Sabbath and Alice Cooper. They were also scheduled to perform at the Power and Glory Festival in Hatfield on August 23, 2014, with additional European tour dates planned for the year.
Discography
Cloven Hoof (1984)
Fighting Back (1986)
Dominator (1988)
A Sultan's Ransom (1989)
Eye of the Sun (2006)
Throne of Damnation (2014)
Who Mourns for the Morning Star? (2017)
The Age of Steel (2020)
Time Assassin (2022)
Cloven Hoof
Cloven Hoof Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blasphemy here this night.
Cross upturned alter desecrated,
Disciples of darkness in unholy light.
In reverence to the dreaded master,
Spill lifeblood unto goat headed shrine.
Praise be the fallen lord of Chaos, disaster.
Witches Rune
Darksome night and shining moon,
East, then south, then west, then north.
Hearken to the Witches Rune,
Here I come to call thee forth.
Earth and Water,
Air and Fire,
By all the power of land and sea.
Work ye unto my desire,
As I do will so mote it be.
Queen of heaven,
Queen of Hell.
Horned hunter of the night,
Lend your power unto my spell
And work your will be magic rite.
EKO EKO AZARAK
EKO EKO ZAMILAK
EKO EKO KARNAYNA
EKO EKO ARADIA
The rites complete, the room grows cold.
Black candle flames flicker then die.
Summoned a new, terrors centuries old.
The hour of the one is nigh.
Witches Rune
By powers of the Witches blade,
Come ye as the charm is made.
Harken ye unto my word, as it is said, let it be heard.
Chords and cencer sourge and knife,
Waken ye unto life.
I feel the all consuming power unfold,
Amongst the chosen relenting to it's hold.
Smothering all in heritic rite, taken in sin
To dwell in Hells eternal night!... Oh no!
The lyrics to Cloven Hoof's song "Cloven Hoof" discuss the desecration of the House of God by a group of individuals who worship the fallen Lord of Chaos. The phrase "Cloven Hoof" refers to the symbol of the devil, who is worshipped by the group as they spill lifeblood unto a goat-headed shrine in his honor. The lyrics also mention the "Witches Rune," which is a spell recited by a coven of witches to call upon the powers of the earth and the elements, as well as the Queen of Heaven and the Queen of Hell.
The song speaks to the idea of blasphemy and the concept of evil being just as powerful as good. The worshippers of the devil and the witches both use their power and magic to achieve their desires, which are often in direct contrast with what is considered right and just. The idea of the "one" who is summoned at the end of the song is likely a reference to the devil or another powerful force of evil that has been summoned by the group.
Line by Line Meaning
The House of God has been, violated.
The sanctity of the church has been defiled.
Blasphemy here this night.
Acts of disrespect towards religion are taking place tonight.
Cross upturned alter desecrated,
An altar with a turned over cross has been desecrated.
Disciples of darkness in unholy light.
Followers of Satan revel in their blasphemy in the light of the moon.
In reverence to the dreaded master,
With respect and fear for Satan,
Spill lifeblood unto goat headed shrine.
The worshipers offer the blood of a living creature to a shrine adorned with a goat's head.
Praise be the fallen lord of Chaos, disaster.
Praise is given to the devil - the lord of chaos and disaster.
Cloven Hoof his sacrilegious sign.
The symbol of Cloven Hoof is used in a blasphemous way in this ceremony.
Darksome night and shining moon,
The night is dark and the moon is bright.
East, then south, then west, then north.
The witch calls the elements by invoking the cardinal directions.
Hearken to the Witches Rune,
Listen to the chant of the witch.
Here I come to call thee forth.
The witch is calling upon spirits to appear.
Earth and Water,
The elements of earth and water,
Air and Fire,
The elements of air and fire,
By all the power of land and sea.
The witch invokes the power of nature.
Work ye unto my desire,
Do my bidding,
As I do will so mote it be.
As I desire, so let it be.
Queen of heaven,
The queen of the divine heaven,
Queen of Hell.
The queen of the underworld,
Horned hunter of the night,
The devil hunts in the dark of night,
Lend your power unto my spell
Lend me your strength for my incantation.
And work your will be magic rite.
And perform the desired ritual magic.
EKO EKO AZARAK
Unknown meaning - assumed to be part of the chant.
EKO EKO ZAMILAK
Unknown meaning - assumed to be part of the chant.
EKO EKO KARNAYNA
Unknown meaning - assumed to be part of the chant.
EKO EKO ARADIA
Unknown meaning - assumed to be part of the chant.
The rites complete, the room grows cold.
The ritual is finished and the room becomes cold.
Black candle flames flicker then die.
The flames of the black candles flicker and then go out.
Summoned a new, terrors centuries old.
Something terrifying and ancient has been summoned.
The hour of the one is nigh.
The moment of darkness, evil and destruction is about to arrive.
By powers of the Witches blade,
The witch calls upon the power of their blade.
Come ye as the charm is made.
The spirits are summoned as the charm is created.
Harken ye unto my word, as it is said, let it be heard.
Listen to my words and let them manifest in reality as I say them.
Chords and cencer sourge and knife,
Musical notes, incense, whip and blade.
Waken ye unto life.
Wake up and come to life, spirits.
I feel the all consuming power unfold,
The witch senses a great power growing within them.
Amongst the chosen relenting to it's hold.
Those selected to partake in the ritual are giving in to the power.
Smothering all in heritic rite, taken in sin
The dark, blasphemous ritual is overwhelming and engulfs all participants in sin.
To dwell in Hells eternal night!... Oh no!
The witch laments that the dark power has taken hold and all will be damned to suffer for eternity.
Contributed by Kennedy J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.