Cloven Hoof

Emerging as promising contenders within the later wave of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Cloven Hoof from Britain saw their timely efforts arrive just after the scene's peak popularity had begun to fade, much like many contemporaries. Formed in the English Midlands, the lineup of vocalist David Potter, guitarist Steve Rounds, bassist Lee Payne and drummer Kevin Pountney first assembled in 1979 under the name Nightstalker. Their progress remained gradual and largely unnoticed over the next couple of years until a name change to Cloven Hoof helped spread word of their increasingly theatrical live shows. The group added further distinction by assigning each member stage identities drawn from the four states of matter—water for Potter, fire for Rounds, air for Payne and earth for Pountney—a choice that later drew considerable mockery. Despite the gimmick, the band became hard to overlook and focused on capturing their sound with the polished four-track EP The Opening Ritual, issued in 1982 and later prized by N.W.O.B.H.M. collectors. Kerrang! soon championed their cause, and consistent club performances secured a 1983 appearance on the Friday Rock Show. A recording deal with Neat Records finally materialized in 1984, allowing the swift release of their self-titled debut album that compiled the strongest songs from their first four years. European audiences embraced the record more warmly than British listeners, prompting a continental tour before the band returned home and recruited second guitarist Mick Grafton for work on a follow-up. Those plans collapsed when David Potter abruptly departed to join French rockers H-Bomb. The remaining members largely withdrew during 1985, cycling through short-lived additions that included Derek Hodd and Grafton before settling on experienced vocalist Rob Kendrick, formerly of Budgie and Trapeze. The resulting live album Fighting Back appeared on Moondancer Records in 1986 and revealed lingering internal disarray, though the group had at least abandoned the stage-name concept. Bassist Lee Payne was now the sole original member, and he assembled a new lineup featuring vocalist Russ North, guitarist Andrew Wood—both ex-Tredegar—and drummer Jon Brown. This configuration quickly produced the 1988 album Dominator and the comparatively weaker A Sultan's Ransom the following year. A second Friday Rock Show session offered brief visibility, yet by the start of the 1990s Cloven Hoof's moment had passed and the members went their separate ways.