The much awaited Release of the new CD "Resist or Serve" is due for the day of grace of June the sixth of 2014, CLOVEN HOOF is a survivor of the NWOBHM and its history is full of glorious highlights/letdown/constant personel switching and many disenchantment, some albums such as "Dominator" or "A Sultan's Ransom" are among the classics of the movement.

They band was doomed by fate but since their return in 2000, the quartet from Wolverhampton, and its ever-present faithful leader/bassist and songwriter Lee Payne never showed a single sign of weakness, they are on a fast lane, the devotion, the commitment and the dedication of the band to impose their own sound is obvious and their allegiance to pure Heavy Metal in general is stunning and remarkable to say the least!

Their come-back album Escape's "Eye of the Sun" (2006) was more than great, but soon the same old musical chair syndrome started again, and today it's another time a brand new team of young goat worshipers that play the hell out of this band, the purpose is still Epic & Occult and the musical style is true to their signature and legendary sound, the collection of reworked/re-recorded songs of 2008's "The Definitive-part one" was an attempt to boost the ressurection of this undying British Legend, with "Resist or Serve" there is some hope and new opportunities for CLOVEN HOOF to break the spell once and for all, at least this album contains enough quality to find an audience both in the nostalgic crowd but also in the new legions of Headbanging fans!

Strangely enough the voice of Joe Whelan reminds me a lot of Joachim Cans from HAMMERFALL enhanced with of course this noble typical british overtones. The pace is not retrograde or passeist mood, the term Contemporary Melodic Power Metal is perfectly accurate here, the influences seems to be collected from a wide point of view,and if you look closer : with the demise of longtime vocalist Russ North (ex TREDEGAR) the NWOBHM flavors are actually occasional and sporadic ("Deliverance").

The guitar solos are spot on, particulary clever both in their perfect execution but also in their unique construction, imaginative and quite incisive...("Northwind to Valhalla"). While the closing track "Austrian Assault" is one of the finest on the whole disc with its beautiful THIN LIZZY like dual guitar harmonies, the rest of the running list is strangely made, indeed the strategic exposure is weird, with two of less interesting songs leading the first slots, on the flip side "Premature Burial" should have found a better spot in the listening order!

"Brimstone and Fire" is another strong number, with notably a good and unexpected structure, the similarities with the famous Yngwie J. Malmsteen's RISING FORCE song "I See The Light Tonight" intro riff it's funny, i believe it was intentional and played as a tribute to the Swedish Guitar master!

The almost Thrash Metal tune "Mutilator" was already present as one of the new track of the compilation "The Definitive-part one" , this new much improved rendition is interesting if less primitive, the impact is still here and more than convincing !
The new contract with traditionalist label High Roller Records is a positive sign, this collaboration could be the fifth element that was missing in the early episodes of their early career!

If the Dark forces of the universe and the Gods of Steel are in a similar advice and ready for an alliance, the reign of the almighty CLOVEN HOOF will be coming soon!