CLOVEN HOOF, the legendary NWOBHM band, is set to release their tenth studio album, 'Never A Prophet In Your Own Land', on September 25, 2026, via High Roller Records. The album's first single, 'Iron Mask', is accompanied by a lyric video, offering a glimpse into the band's latest musical endeavor.
This new album showcases CLOVEN HOOF's musical evolution, featuring a diverse range of songs, from mid-tempo tracks to faster-paced anthems and epic compositions. The vocal prowess of Harry 'The Tyrant' Conklin, who has been the band's singer for the past three and a half years, is a standout feature. Conklin, known for his work with JAG PANZER, brings his world-class vocal performance to CLOVEN HOOF, adding a new dimension to the band's sound.
Lee Payne, the band's bassist, praises Conklin's talent, stating, 'The praise is all Harry's. We are indeed fortunate to have such a brilliant vocalist and frontman in the band.' Payne also highlights the album's musical diversity, drawing comparisons to the band's earlier work, 'A Sultan's Ransom', while maintaining its own unique identity.
The album's creation was a collaborative effort, with the band aiming to showcase their musical growth and versatility. Payne explains, '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.'
'Never A Prophet In Your Own Land' features a diverse tracklist, including 'Terror From The Sky', 'Conquistador', 'Never A Prophet', 'Gypsy Roller', 'The Bigger They Are', 'Iron Mask', 'Phantom Chaser', 'Flying Dutchman', 'Prodigal Son', and 'Seven Sacred Wonders'.
CLOVEN HOOF's history dates back to 1979 when they formed as NIGHTSTALKER. The band adopted the name CLOVEN HOOF in 1981, with each member taking on stage personas: Lee Payne as 'Earth', Steve Rounds as 'Fire', Kevin Poutney as 'Water', and David Potter as 'Air'. Their early releases, such as 'The Opening Ritual' EP and the self-titled album, established them as a prominent force in the NWOBHM scene.
After a hiatus in the 1990s, CLOVEN HOOF reunited with a new lineup and released 'Eye Of The Sun' in 2006. They continued to release albums on High Roller Records, including 'Resist Or Serve' (2014) and 'Who Mourns For The Morning Star?' (2017), which marked a significant moment as they toured North America for the first time.
The band's recent albums, 'Age Of Steel' (2020), 'Time Assassins' (2022), and 'Heathen Cross' (2024), further solidified their status as a legendary NWOBHM act. Lee Payne's previous praise for Harry Conklin highlights the band's commitment to finding the right vocalist, and Conklin's versatility and dedication have undoubtedly contributed to CLOVEN HOOF's continued success and musical evolution.
