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Cloven Hoof
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:36 pm
by Eon
Alright, here we can discuss anything that has to do with Cloven Hoof.
Discovered this band about 6 months ago or so thanks to lurking around youtube. Since then I have gotten my hands on S/t, Eye of The Sun and A Sultans Ransom on CD and Dominator on LP. Love all except EotS, but I think A Sultans Ransom is the best.
Anyway, part of the reason for making this topic was that I have a couple of questions.
Does anybody know how many copies of The Opening Ritual there exists?
Was ever Dominator released on CD by FM Revolver?
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:44 pm
by ION BRITTON
One of the greatest ever. Here's my ratings:
Opening ritual 9/10
Cloven Hoof 10/10
Fighting back 5/10
Dominator 1500/10
A sultans ransom 1000/10
Eye of the sun 3/10
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:49 pm
by great_knuthulhu
ION BRITTON wrote:One the greatest ever. Here's my ratings:
Opening ritual 9/10
Cloven Hoof 10/10
Fighting back 5/10
Dominator 1500/10
A sultans ransom 1000/10
Eye of the sun 3/10
Inflation seems to have hit you hard there John
Cloven Hoof is the best one for me, though Dominator and Sultan's Ransom are also fantastic, and Opening Ritual is very close too. I don't know of a better metal song than Gates of Gehenna.
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:54 pm
by ION BRITTON
Those ratings have been the same for years, inflation couldn't affect them in no case
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 10:10 pm
by mordred
One of the best bands there ever was. Their catalogue is not without flaws but the best stuff is otherworldly. The S/T is the best for me with A Sultan's Ransom a close second. Both are 11/10.
I am very grateful to have seen Cloven Hoof live with the incomparable Russ North (what a voice!) three times and I am still gutted that he left the band. I was listening through the album "The Definitive part one" (a disc with old songs re-recorded) the other day and realized something. While I don't like the Eye of the Sun album there is two songs originally from that on "The Definitive" ("Kiss of Evil" and "Inquisitor") and they kick fucking ass with Russ North singing them and with the new arrangement! They should have redone the whole album with him while they were at it.
It will be interesting to see what the next album will bring. I don't hope for much. I'm sure Lee Payne can still write good songs but I think there's a great risk it will be ruined by modern production and god knows replacing Russ North won't be easy. Damn, him at Headbangers Open Air this summer is one of the most unreal performances I've ever heard. I can think back on him screaming "my name is Lucifer, abductor of your soul" and get goosebumps.
My favorite Cloven Hoof songs (off the top of my head):
1. The Gates of Gehenna
2. Road of Eagles (Dominator version)
3. Mistress of the Forest
4. Return of the Passover
5. Forgotten Heroes
6. Astral Rider
7. Cloven Hoof
8. Highlander
9. Nova Battlestar
10. Night Stalker
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 10:22 pm
by ION BRITTON
mordred wrote:
My favorite Cloven Hoof songs (off the top of my head):
Reach for the sky
Road of eagles
Mistress of the forest
Return of the passover
Forgotten heroes
Highlander
Nova Battlestar
1001 Nights
Gates of Gehenna
Starship Sentinel
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 10:46 pm
by Eon
My favourites:
Mistress of the Forest
Astral Rider
Highlander
1001 Nights
Rising Up
Nova Battlestar
Reach For The Sky
Return of the Passover
The Gates of Gehenna
Laying Down The Law
Mistress of The Forest is probably their best song. The perfect album closer.
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 11:22 pm
by Dark Stranger
mordred wrote:The S/T is the best for me with A Sultan's Ransom a close second. Both are 11/10.
Yep! Spot on there mate. The s/t is my favourite album of the NWOBHM.
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 11:28 pm
by mordred
Damn, I listened to "Kiss of Evil" and "Inquisitor" from Eye of the Sun back to back with the versions on The Definitive part on, and the difference in quality is unbelievable!
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 11:46 pm
by Black Axe
I don't own everything, and I need to re-listen some.
I'm just glad I got to see them live with Russ. I'm hardly looking forward to the new album now.
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 1:09 am
by Abyss
I chose A Sultan's Ransom the music is great and the collection of items on the album cover reminds me of something that might be sitting around at my grandfathers house
.
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 3:42 am
by Nightlock
Dominator by far.
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:18 am
by The Erlking
Oh please this poll is vicious! It's really hard to choose between the S/T, Dominator and Sultan's Ransom.
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 8:55 am
by omen of hate
I can't vote for this one. You should have added "Everything except Eye of the Sun" option.
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2009 10:17 am
by mordred
omen of hate wrote:I can't vote for this one. You should have added "Everything except Eye of the Sun" option.
I hardly think anyone would consider Fighting Back the high water mark in their catalogue either!
Furthermore, I'm surprised to see people rating Dominator this high. I think it's rather uneven. In my opinion about half of it is great and "Road of Eagles" is immortal, but on the whole I definitely don't think it is as strong as S/T or A Sultan's Ransom. The prodcution is rather messy too.