It was a coup when main man and bassist Lee Payne announced that Harry “The Tyrant” Conklin, who had moved to Greece, would be joining his band Cloven Hoof. The former Jag Panzer frontman was the perfect replacement for Russ North, who was considered to be the ultimate Cloven Hoof singer by fans – sadly he is no longer with us. As a result, reactions to the band’s first album with Harry Conklin at the mike were outstanding. »Heathen Cross« was released on High Roller Records in 2024.
It’s now followed by Cloven Hoof’s tenth full-length studio album entitled »Never A Prophet In Your Own Land«. Once again, the vocal performance of “The Tyrant” is world-class. Lee Payne smirks: “The praise is all Harry’s. We are indeed fortunate to have such a brilliant vocalist and frontman in the band.”
Continuity is important for every band and Cloven Hoof did have their fair share of line-up changes in the past. Not so this time, as the bassist explains: “We have the same stable line-up as »Heathen Cross«, I am delighted to say. Vocals by the one and only Harry Conklin, guitars by Luke Hatton and Chris Coss. Ash Baker on drums. Luke, Chris and Ash have been with Cloven Hoof for over ten years now; they know their roles inside out. I have been in the band since 1979 on bass from the very start, so I should have an idea of what I am doing by now (laughs).”
“»Never A Prophet In Your Own Land« is not in fact a direct continuation of »Heathen Cross«,” continues Payne. “»Heathen Cross« had its own darkly heavy and brooding atmosphere. »Never A Prophet In Your Own Land« resembles »A Sultan’s Ransom« more closely, yet this resemblance was not contrived or planned. It just turned out that way.”
»Never A Prophet In Your Own Land« is a very varied album, containing mid-tempo songs, faster tunes, epic compositions and straight heavy metal rockers, a very good mixture. “Thank you for the kind words,” beams the legendary bassist. “We wanted to make this album as rich and varied as we could, to show how far the band has progressed musically. We are in a golden place right now, and the whole record-writing process happens organically. This album has everything you could wish for in the heavy metal genre. It shows our versatility in a way that »A Sultan’s Ransom« did eclectically. But it takes this versatility one step further in the most satisfying album we have ever done.”
1. Terror from the Sky
2. Conquistador
3. Never a Prophet
4. Gypsy Roller
5. The Bigger They Are
6. The Man in the Iron Mask
7. Phantom Chaser
8. Flying Dutchman
9. Prodigal Son
10. Seven Sacred Wonders