The Definitive Part One
EM Music
NWOBHM greats Cloven Hoof are back with a solid new release entitled The Definitive Part One which is a compilation of several of the band's previous classics all re-recorded with original mastermind/bassist Lee Payne and vocalist Russ North with Ben Reed on Guitar and Jon Brown on drums rounding out the lineup. I find in most cases bands that re-record their songs or entire albums usually do it in an effort to cash in on their past much in the same way bands/labels record and release tribute CDs. The fact is many re-recorded albums of recent aren't near as good as the originals since they usually don't have the same vibe or energy after being pro-tooled to death or it's just a band's way of subconsciously admitting they don't have the ability to write good songs anymore. But this is definitely not the case with Cloven Hoof's latest release. Although I would agree that some of the songs on this CD don't quite capture the spirit of the originals it's a very valid package considering most of Cloven Hoof's earlier material is either out of print or extremely difficult to come across on CD (or vinyl for that matter). Secondly, the band really does a great job in recapturing that raw, live essence (which has always been such an essential part of the NWOBHM) that really comes across on this CD courtesy of Paul O'Neil's (Savatage, T.S.O.) impressive live in the studio production.
"Inquisitor" opens the CD (not the Raven song of the same name) in fine, classic British-metal fashion. This song was actually taken from their previous CD released a few years back which featured a session vocalist. This new version is much stronger as I totally prefer Russ North's vocals as well as the crisper production. From the Gregorian chant that leads into the open riff and Russ's (Brian Ross like) haunting wail you instantly get that classic NWOBHM feel running through your veins. "Nova Battlestar" and the epic "The Gates Of Gehenna" (I believe the band's original single in '81) follow again in classic NWOBHM fashion with the latter displaying a bit of a "Dissident Aggresssor" (Judas Priest) rip-off at the start that leads into some great old-style Maiden riffage with a Eric Adams (Manowar) meets Halford-like vocal delivery. The songs that follow deliver the same British steel that has made the NWOBHM era so magical and exciting.
Another great aspect of this release is the fact that it really gives the younger listeners a true representation of that definitive genre and really shows just how influential bands like Cloven Hoof were to the vast majority of current European power-metal bands that are so prevalent today. If you have trouble finding this CD you can order it from the band's site at: www.cloven-hoof.co.uk.
PHARAOH
Be Gone
Cruz Del Sur
Yet another great new metal band to come out of Germany, I believe this is the second CD release from Pharaoh and a damn good one at that. There's an ample amount of classic NWOBHM riffs combined with modern German power-metal on this 9-song CD. The Iron Maiden harmonies are obvious but the band manages to pull it off without "ripping" them off. Really powerful well-toned vocals and killer guitar leads and riffs throughout this disc sounding similar at times to US power metal greats Jag Panzer and Iced Earth. Be Gone is definitely a CD worth checking out.
