CLOVEN HOOF – Never A Prophet In Your Own Land

NWOBHM icons Cloven Hoof (45 years and still going strong) are releasing their tenth full-length studio album entitled Never A Prophet In Your Own Land, on September 25, 2026, through High Roller Records.

Founding member, band leader, and bassist extraordinaire Lee Payne is still at it, showing again to the Metal World what a driving rhythm, tasty riff, and occasional use of “alternative” instruments can produce. Cloven Hoof has had its share of line-up changes over the years, but the attitude and approach remain the same. As Payne put it, the band wanted to make Never A Prophet In Your Own Land as varied and versatile as they could, if anything, to show how much the band is capable of successfully delving into musically.

After crafting so many studio albums, Payne knows that the kick-off track is critically important to establish the attitude of the record and to grab attention, and this new release follows that philosophy with the opener “Terror From The Sky”. It’s an up-tempo powerhouse with eclectic energy that will escalate your blood pressure and fuel your inner Metal fire. Next up is “Conquistador”, whose title can give you an idea of what it’s all about from a soundscape perspective.

Within the “Conquistador” track is the full introduction of vocalist Harry “The Tyrant” Conklin, who has now been with the band for a small handful of years. You may recall him from his time with Jag Panzer. Make no mistake, Conklin is a talented vocalist and undoubtedly a solid frontman in a live setting, but Never A Prophet In Your Own Land has one glaring weakness, and that’s the awkward mix of his voice in virtually all of the tracks on this album. At times, Conklin sounds like he’s singing along to a wedding karaoke machine, and his entourage is too polite to call him out.

That aside, musically Never A Prophet In Your Own Land is a solid effort by Payne and his cohorts. It’s not in the league of their Eye Of The Sun release from about 2 decades ago (a true 9.5 /10 masterpiece), but fans of the NWOBHM sub-genre will find plenty to enjoy here.

Album Tracklist

1. Terror From The Sky
2. Conquistador
3. Never A Prophet
4. Gypsy Roller
5. The Bigger They Are
6. Iron Mask
7. Phantom Chaser
8. Flying Dutchman
9. Prodigal Son
10. Seven Sacred Wonders

Band Lineup

Lee Payne – bass guitar
Harry (The Tyrant) Conklin – lead vocals
Luke Hatton – lead guitar
Chris Coss – lead guitar
Chris Dando – keyboards, backing vocals
Ash Baker – drums, backing vocals

Check out the lyric music video for “Iron Mask” a track from Never A Prophet In Your Own Land :