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)
Silver Surfer
Cloven Hoof Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Into the great unknown.
Riding the comets tail
With ease I soar.
I've seen the super nova,
Star fields to roam.
Here where the winds of Saturn roar.
Glide on solar winds.
To the point where time ends,
And the void begins.
I am the Silver surfer,
Meteors fly.
I am the silver surfer,
Into the eye of the sky.
I wield the cosmic power,
Mine to command.
Mysteries of the universe unfold.
But still my heart grows colder
Away from my homeland,
Light years alone no one to hold.
The lyrics of Silver Surfer by Cloven Hoof are about an intergalactic hero who roams the universe and has seen everything that it has to offer. He travels on comets and solar winds and has been to places that humans can only imagine. The Silver Surfer is endowed with cosmic power and can control the mysteries of the universe. However, despite all his powers and abilities, he is still alone and his heart grows colder as he is away from his home planet, light-years away from any company.
The Silver Surfer represents the wanderer, the explorer, and the lone wolf. He is on a quest for knowledge and experience, but at the same time, he is lonely and isolated. The lyrics evoke a sense of wonder at the universe’s vastness and the infinite possibilities it holds. The Silver Surfer’s story is a metaphor for the human desire to explore and discover, and the sacrifices that come with it.
In conclusion, Silver Surfer is an epic and imaginative song that tells the story of an intergalactic hero and his eternal quest for knowledge and experience. It is a tribute to the human spirit of exploration and the desire to reach for the stars.
Line by Line Meaning
I blaze across the heavens,
I move swiftly and with great power through the vast expanse of space.
Into the great unknown.
I venture fearlessly into uncharted territories of the universe.
Riding the comets tail
I navigate space by hitching a ride on the tail of a comet.
With ease I soar.
I fly effortlessly through space.
I've seen the super nova,
I have witnessed the magnificent explosion of a dying star.
Star fields to roam.
I am free to explore and wander the vast fields of stars.
Here where the winds of Saturn roar.
I am in a place of great power and ferocity, the winds of Saturn roaring around me.
Born to roam the starways,
I was created to travel the vast expanses of the universe.
Glide on solar winds.
I travel effortlessly on the winds and energy created by the sun.
To the point where time ends,
I venture to the very edge of the universe, where time and space have no meaning.
And the void begins.
I enter the emptiness of space where there is nothingness and darkness.
I am the Silver surfer,
I am a magnificent and powerful being who travels through space with ease.
Meteors fly.
I fly through space with meteors and asteroids whizzing past me.
Into the eye of the sky.
I boldly go into the heart and center of the universe.
I wield the cosmic power,
I have the ability to harness the energy and power of the universe.
Mine to command.
I have complete control and authority over the cosmic forces at my disposal.
Mysteries of the universe unfold.
The secrets and wonders of the universe are slowly revealed to me as I travel through space.
But still my heart grows colder
Despite my immense power and freedom, I feel a growing sense of loneliness and isolation.
Away from my homeland,
I am far removed from my place of origin and the familiarity it brings.
Light years alone no one to hold.
I am millions of light years from any companionship or comfort, left to exist solely in the harsh emptiness of space.
Contributed by Claire T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.