‘Sign of the Cloven Hoof’ album review

As a Capricorn myself, I was intrigued by what the album had to offer. What I discovered was enchanting intros and beasty hooks; heavy, gothically bluesy, bootstomping, headbanging, good old-fashioned stoner metal.

I heard elements of a bunch of wicked wicked bands’ influences from right across the rock spectrum, right from pop rock to death metal – consequently a real nice sound ensues, one that can only improve as time progresses. These guys would be sweet live, no matter how loud I cranked the stereo it still didn’t seem loud enough.

Wicked sweet background drinking and/or driving music, the tempo is regular and solid, with enough staunch catchy peaks to grab your attention and make you go “wreargh!? allfacknright”. Real nice hooks, love the deep body-felt bass throughout.

Track 1 – Aurora Funeralis: melodramatic, ponderous. Sets the atmos quite nicely. Long enough to wonder if it’s just a really long intro.

Track 2 – Crowned & Drained: Long power chugs and heartfelt drumming hook, slow and steady rhythm. Heavy heavy bass gets the old boots going.

Track 3 – A Devilish Manifesto: mellow intro rocks out into wicked hook. Faster tempo gets the head going with the boots. Nice.

Track 4 – Archways: more deep strummage, really gets the blood fizzing. Cool trippy vox in the chorus, sneaky gax enhances.

Track 5 – Old Redhook: cool intro, another catchy chorus – rock on the air gax.

Track 6 – A Candle for the Morning Star: a real nice track, one that took a couple listens to really get, but definitely one of my favourites. A nice balance between every member, just enough and not too much – and yet all had their piece. Nicely done.

Track 7 – Hymn: Just over a minute long instrumental – smoko time.

Track 8 – Sol: Nice rollicking hook intro, strong rhythms. Rocked out the air gax a couple times even.

Track 9 – The Inveterate: power blues intro, another real sweet headbanging, bootstomping tune.

Track 10 – Lord of Light and Pride: tweaky intro, ebbs and flows like a blood-red tide. A bit slower paced, yet still upbeat.

Track 11 – Under Southern Skies: heavy power chugs, a dark and ancestral feel.

Track 12 – Claws of Fog: epic and enchanting, rocking out into a full mosh-ready tune. Wicked.

Track 13 – Awakening to Shining Light: an epic epic epic way to end a staunch album like this, a cool intro and another solid riff brings the album to a close.

Bleeeeeeat!
CEOMong