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)
Eye Of The Zombie
Cloven Hoof Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down there,
At devils bayou,
In the midnight hour
Ain't no place to be.
Strange things are known
Blacker than
Dead men talk
And are walking free.
There's an evil woman
Who dwells in sleepy hollow,
Once she gets her hooks onto you
You'll never be free.
Chorus
Eye of the zombie!
Eye of the zombie!
Eye of the zombie,
On me!
Eye of the zombie!
Eye of the zombie!
Eye of the zombie,
On me!
People round these parts
Won't never talk to strangers,
Keep the shutters closed
From dusk till dawn.
Be on your guard
The night has
Hidden dangers,
Or you won't even
Live to see another morn.
She's a black magic woman
Baron Sameads daughter,
Dance into the fire
And she'll
Make you scream.
[Chorus:]
Slave until the end of time
She's s the devils daughter,
The living dead cry out
Into an endless dream.
[Chorus:]
The lyrics to Cloven Hoof's song Eye Of The Zombie are a warning to those who may be tempted to explore the dangerous and mystical areas of Devils Bayou and Sleepy Hollow. The singer urges the listener not to go messing around down there, especially in the midnight hour when strange and dark things are known to happen. The dead are said to be walking free and talking, and there's an evil woman who dwells in Sleepy Hollow and will never let you go once she gets her hooks into you.
The song paints a chilling picture of the dangers that lurk in the shadows, and the cautionary tale warns people to be on their guard and keep their shutters closed at night. The singer specifically warns of Baron Sameads' daughter, a black magic woman who will make you dance into the fire and scream. The song concludes with a haunting refrain of "Eye of the zombie," emphasizing the powerful magic that is at work in these dark and mysterious places.
Overall, the lyrics to Eye Of The Zombie are a warning to those who may be tempted to explore the unknown and face the dangers that lie there. They are a powerful reminder that darkness and evil can often be alluring, but ultimately it is best to stay away.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't go messing around
Down there,
At devils bayou,
In the midnight hour
Ain't no place to be.
Stay away from Devil's Bayou at midnight, it's not a safe place.
Strange things are known
Blacker than
Swampy water,
Dead men talk
And are walking free.
Unusual and creepy things are happening, even the dead are restless.
There's an evil woman
Who dwells in sleepy hollow,
Once she gets her hooks onto you
You'll never be free.
There's a wicked woman who lives in Sleepy Hollow, if she gets hold of you, you are doomed forever.
Chorus
Eye of the zombie!
Eye of the zombie!
Eye of the zombie,
On me!
The zombie's evil eye is upon me, and it's terrifying.
People round these parts
Won't never talk to strangers,
Keep the shutters closed
From dusk till dawn.
People here don't trust outsiders and keep their homes tightly secured at night.
Be on your guard
The night has
Hidden dangers,
Or you won't even
Live to see another morn.
Be careful, danger lurks in the darkness, and you may not survive until morning.
She's a black magic woman
Baron Sameads daughter,
Dance into the fire
And she'll
Make you scream.
She is a woman of dark magic, the Baron Sameads daughter, her fiery dance will make you scream in pain.
[Chorus:]
The terrifying chorus repeats, warning of the zombie's gaze.
Slave until the end of time
She's s the devils daughter,
The living dead cry out
Into an endless dream.
She is the devil's daughter, and those who are cursed become slaves until the end of time. The undead cry out in a hopeless dream.
[Chorus:]
The chorus repeats again, warning of the zombie's eye.
Contributed by Lucy P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@InfernalNightlord
So fucking cool!!! This is an amazing newer album of a true Metal legend!!! Cloven Hoof RULE!!!!!
@jaguarxk100r
nice and clean
@jacintopardo8349
I am Oso. From Vitoria, Spain. I have a Metal Pub. I just want to say that i usually put in my pub, cCLOVEN HOOF, JAGUAR, WITCHFYNDE,, SPLIT BEABER, I WILL ALWAYS KEEP YOU ALIVE.