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)
King For A Day
Cloven Hoof Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got no name,
Don't need anybody.
You are in chains
Society reigns,
Holding everyone.
People say they
Don't you even start to try.
Barren skies in my eyes
Gotta be free,
Vagabond till I die.
Chorus
Do as I do,
Do what I say.
You make the rules
But I don't wanna play.
Know my own mind
Go my own way,
Doomed to follow,
Who made you king for a day?
Who made you?
Who made you?
Who made you?
Who made you?
Who made you king
For a day?
Who made you king
King for a day?
Who made you king
For a day?
Who made you king
King for a day?
They pay for dirt
Beneath their feet,
I stray where I want to.
Stay in one place
They spit in your face,
Wanderlust grabs you.
People say they
Cannot understand me,
Don't you even start to try.
Barren skies in my eyes
Gotta be free,
Vagabond till I die.
[Chorus]
The first verse of Cloven Hoof's song "King For A Day" describes the singer as a nameless traveler who doesn't need the approval or company of others. In contrast, society is portrayed as holding everyone back with chains, reigns, and rules. The singer seems to feel misunderstood by those who try to understand them and declares their intention to remain free and autonomous until the end of their days.
The chorus contains a challenge to whoever made themselves a king for a day, calling out their hypocritical behavior of imposing rules on others while not wanting to play by their own rules themselves. The repetition of the phrase "who made you king for a day?" is a powerful rhetorical question that challenges the legitimacy of authority and dominance.
The second verse describes the price that people pay for staying in one place and conforming to social norms, while the singer asserts their wanderlust and desire for freedom as the driving force in their life. The repetition of the phrase "don't you even start to try" in both verses suggests a sense of frustration and alienation as the singer feels that nobody can truly understand or relate to them.
Overall, "King For A Day" is a rebellious anthem that celebrates the individualistic spirit and questions the legitimacy of authority.
Line by Line Meaning
I roam the plains
I am a wanderer and traveler, without a specific destination or purpose.
Got no name,
I do not identify myself with any labels or titles given by society.
Don't need anybody.
I am an independent and self-sufficient person who does not rely on anyone else for my survival or happiness.
You are in chains
Society holds people back and restricts their freedoms, keeping them trapped and limited.
Society reigns,
Society has established rules and norms that people are expected to follow, limiting their true potential.
Holding everyone.
Society's grip is tight and affects everyone, leading to a lack of individuality and creativity.
People say they
Others claim that they
Can't understand me?
Are unable to comprehend my perspective, beliefs, or actions?
Don't you even start to try.
I am not interested in explaining myself or trying to persuade others to understand me.
Barren skies in my eyes
My soul is empty or unfulfilled, leading to a constant search for meaning and purpose.
Gotta be free,
I have an innate desire to be independent and unrestricted in my actions and thoughts.
Vagabond till I die.
I have accepted that I will always be a wanderer and a traveler, never settling down in one place or conforming to societal expectations.
Do as I do,
Follow my lead or example
Do what I say.
Obey my commands or instructions.
You make the rules
Society has established norms and regulations, with individuals expected to follow them.
But I don't wanna play.
I reject these rules and norms, refusing to abide by them.
Know my own mind
I am self-aware and clear about my beliefs and values.
Go my own way,
I follow my own path and make my own choices, disregarding societal expectations or pressure.
Doomed to follow,
Others are forced to conform and follow the societal norms, not being true to their authentic selves.
Who made you king for a day?
Who gave you the right or authority to dictate how others should behave or live their lives, even if it's only for a short period?
They pay for dirt
People value and trade for material possessions, even for things that have little to no real worth.
Beneath their feet,
These possessions are of trivial nature, yet people place great importance on them.
I stray where I want to.
I am free to move and travel wherever my heart desires, without being bound by restrictions.
Stay in one place
Staying in a single location for an extended period of time
They spit in your face,
Society may view traveling and wandering as a negative trait, and people who do it as being inferior or not good enough.
Wanderlust grabs you.
Having an innate desire and need to explore and travel, without being held back by societal constraints.
[Chorus]
Refrain that is repeated after each verse
Contributed by Maya R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rippercoil
2 wycked.