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)
Laying Down The Law
Cloven Hoof Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From gambling joint to speakeasy.
No back alley hoodlum is gonna muscle in on my territory.
The gangster and machine gun is public enemy number one,
In Chicago where the innocent pay protection to stay free.
Well nobody gets hurt,
If he walks the straight and narrow.
And you have to reckon with me.
[Chorus:]
Cause I'm laying down,
Laying down the law.
I'm laying down,
Laying down the law.
Behind every street corner,
There's vermin crawling out of the woodwork.
Some low down punk with a shot gun,
Itchin to fill ya full of lead.
Wine, Women and bootleg whiskey,
Threatens the basis of society.
Side walks are paved with blood,
Who couldn't keep their head.
Sin city never sleeps,
You better learn to
Pull no punches.
Eyes to the rear,
Cause down here...
They play for keeps.
[Chorus:]
You say I'm dreaming,
To believe in a better way,
For this rat trap we call home.
I'm the enforcer
Making sure that crime don't pay...
And I'm not alone!
The lyrics to Cloven Hoof's song Laying Down The Law paint a vivid picture of a corrupt city in which the innocent pay for protection from gangsters, machine guns, and back alley hoodlums. The singer, who speaks from the first person point of view, guards the "sleazy streets" from gambling joints to speakeasies, and anyone who "bends the arrow out of line" will have to "reckon with me." The chorus repeats the singer's message of laying down the law, establishing themselves as the enforcer in this chaotic city.
The song's imagery is distinctly American and feels like it is set in the era of Prohibition when alcohol was banned, but its themes are timeless. The song is a commentary on power and corruption, and the lengths individuals will go to maintain their grip on it. As a listener, you can infer that the singer is a vigilante of sorts, attempting to keep his city safe by any means necessary. However, he is not invincible, and the lyrics suggest a weariness about the constant violence and danger that surround him.
In "Laying Down The Law," Cloven Hoof delivers a powerful message about the consequences of corruption and the importance of upholding the law. It is a song that resonates as much today as it did when it was released, offering a reflection on society's failings and the struggle to maintain order in the midst of chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
I guard these sleazy streets,
I patrol the unsavory parts of the city,
From gambling joint to speakeasy.
From places where people gamble to illegal drinking establishments,
No back alley hoodlum is gonna muscle in on my territory.
I won't allow any criminal to take over my area of control,
The gangster and machine gun is public enemy number one,
Gang leaders and their guns are the biggest problem,
In Chicago where the innocent pay protection to stay free.
In Chicago, innocent people have to pay criminals to avoid being harmed.
Well nobody gets hurt,
As long as people follow the law,
If he walks the straight and narrow.
If someone behaves ethically and legally,
Bend the arrow out of line,
But if they deviate or break the rules,
And you have to reckon with me.
They will have to face the consequences from me.
Cause I'm laying down,
I am establishing,
Laying down the law.
the laws and regulations for this area.
Behind every street corner,
At every turn,
There's vermin crawling out of the woodwork.
There are rats and other pests emerging from hidden places.
Some low down punk with a shot gun,
There are some dishonorable people with weapons,
Itchin to fill ya full of lead.
who are eager to shoot and kill anyone.
Wine, Women and bootleg whiskey,
Illegal alcoholic drinks and the corruption that comes with them,
Threatens the basis of society.
are endangering the very foundation of our society.
Side walks are paved with blood,
The streets are deadly and people die often.
Who couldn't keep their head.
Those who weren't careful or prepared.
Sin city never sleeps,
The city of sin is always active,
You better learn to
You must be ready to
Pull no punches.
fight with everything you have.
Eyes to the rear,
Watching everything around you,
Cause down here...
Because in this part of town...
They play for keeps.
people are willing to kill without hesitation.
You say I'm dreaming,
You may say I am unrealistic,
To believe in a better way,
For believing there is a way to improve our situation,
For this rat trap we call home.
In this place we call home, which is so full of traps and danger.
I'm the enforcer
I am responsible for enforcing,
Making sure that crime don't pay...
the law and ensuring that criminals don't profit,
And I'm not alone!
And I have others who support me!
Contributed by Christopher E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Juan Valdez
Caught these guys on Mother’s Day this year playing to maybe 15 people including bar staff. Absolutely fucking killer show!
RainbowBlues13
Heard this on the radio probably waaaay back when it came out, taped it at the time, but that's all I've ever had it on. Have always loooooved this song though and am now soooooo happy to find this on here! Just hope it stays and doesn't get deleted like a lot of others. Gonna definitely be listening to this shitloads more now! Wicked riffs and solos!! Thank you heaps!!
Roberto Calcini
i love NWOBHM bands ! thank templarsvision to load this wonderful music . i wish some bands can put outside music like this nowadays bust i think is just impossible... or just i am nostalgic ? well is good we can always have the masterpiece of the past ! british metal rules !!!
jwatson626
Over the last 4 months I've probably been here about 100 times to listen to this song. JW
ISIHA Clue
The good news is that the album is now on iTunes!
Adam Boon
Great song, guitar sounds awesome \m/
loraw temotei
Laying down the Law is awesome Cloven Hoof are the greatest band on the planet! :)
MARINERMINI
this album is a fucking masterpiece of it's kind!!!!!
forwardthequeers
I bought this cd back when it still cost ten dollars. Thank you scenesters for making this and other 5-10 dollar albums cost 100.
LordNecroflesh79
I have this song on the metal inferno cassette from decades ago.