Release
date: November 5th 2015. Label: Self Released. Formats:
CD/DD
Ride
Of The Hoof – Tracklisting
1.When
Time Stood Still 09:12
2.Planet
Hoof 06:28
3.Reptilian
Woman 08:16
4.Enter
The Zigurat 08:27
5.Goat
Mushroom 13:42
6.The
Staff Of Souls 04:48
Band
Members:
Mark
Sayer
Jim
Camp
Dan
Flitcroft
Darren
Ashman
Review:
Sergeant
Thunderhoof return with a new album almost 18 months after their
superb debut album – Zigurat – which won the guys a loyal
following in the Doom/Stoner Metal world. Their blend of Psychedelic
and Cosmic influenced Spaced Out Doom/Stoner Metal showed a band with
a lot of potential and hopes for their future albums. Well that time
is now as THE HOOF return with Ride Of The Hoof.
What
can we expect? Well they guys have delved deeper into their Psych
Prog Rock roots that’s layered with more Spaced Out Doom/Stoner
Metal riffs with a side order of FUZZ. There’s no getting the way
from that the band have delivered a truly stunning album that is
packed with thrills, spills and excitement to match. Yeah, all the
Doomed Out Stoners will go crazy over this album.
Opening
track – When Time Stood Still – is an epic song running for over
nine minutes or so. Heavy Cosmic Doom spliced with Psych Stoner Riffs
make this perhaps one of the standout songs on the album. If you dig
Monster Magnet, Hawkwind, ENOS and can I say this but I hear a Jane’s
Addiction influence as well. Especially with the vocals as you can
hear a slight Perry Farrell vibe. Could be my advancing years playing
tricks on me. Anyway, the riffs range from Heavy Doom to Psych Stoner
and then to loud volatile Fuzzed Out Rock. The lyrics rest firmly in
the realm of Science Fiction with tales of intergalactic wars and all
that jazz. It’s an intriguing story at times though it’s the
music that’s the main attraction here.
Second
track – Planet Hoof – is another cosmic/fuzz-fuelled space
odyssey with the heavy pounding bass providing a subtle backline for
the guys to build their music upon. The drums are a constant threat
and the vocals once again add an out-of-this world feel. I let you
know now that the whole album is about experiences and battles in
galaxies far, far away. Get with the program and enjoy this album for
what it is. The Psych/Space Rock riffs are handled superbly as the
band create some of the albums heaviest spaced out moments.
Third
track – Reptilian Woman – carries on the Space/Doom/Stoner Rock
vibe (look the whole album follows the same path. Its not going to
change track and why should it. It’s a fantastic sound). The band
write some funny lyrics that takes pot-shots at the whole Sci-fi
genre and it’s quite laugh out loud funny at times but to the bands
credit they make it all sound so convincing. This song doesn’t take
itself too seriously as the guys just have fun with it all. When the
band venture into Blues/Psych/Fuzz Rock mode it shows you there’s a
hidden depth to their sound.
Fourth
track – Enter The Zigurat – influenced from their debut album –
Zigurat – offers a more reflective cosmic doom based sound with the
song opening with a cool instrumental vibe. Heavy but quietly melodic
at the same time with the hazy and dreamlike vocals keeping things
calm before the heavier sounds return. This song has an almost
Post-Rock/Post-Metal feel as the heavier riffs turn into blissful
sounds. It’s perhaps the albums most psychedelic and progressive
song.
Fifth
track – Goat Mountain – is my fave song on the album as it’s
trippy as heck and runs for a mind-expanding 14 mins or so. Sergeant
Thunderhoof unleash everything at their arsenal here by playing a
crazy amount of different riffs where volume is key. Hard Rock,
Psych, Fuzz, Doom, Space and Stoner Metal unite for an intense
prog-rock odyssey. The vocals are impressive yet again. Though it’s
the riffs that are the main standout as the band excel through out.
Play this song as LOUD as you can to get the full desired effect.
That
leaves us with the final track – The Staff Of Souls - and it’s a
short song lasting no more than 5 minutes. Well that’s short for
the band. It’s a more reflective and almost personal offering from
the band and it has a nice laid-back groove with traces of heavy
fuzz. The heavy psych sounds adds a nice touch as the song becomes
more anthemic as time passes by. It’s not the most exciting song on
the album but it’s good that the band have included this song. It
brings a sense of closure to the album as a whole as you’ve taken
quite a progressive musical journey with these sonic spaced out
riffsters. Just press PLAY on your MP3 Player and do the journey over
and over again. You know you want too….
Ride
Of The Hoof is superbly produced. It’s perhaps one of the best
produced albums I’ve heard this year from the UK Stoner Rock/Metal
scene. It sounds amazing from the start. My final thoughts of the
album is that's a creative, intelligent, often humorous album
that’s packed full of wonder and adventure. Sergeant Thunderhoof
have excelled themselves here. Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Thanks
to the band for the promo. Ride Of The Hoof will be available for
free download and available to buy on CD from November 5th 2015. If
you buy a copy now you will get an advanced copy of the album.
Words
by Steve Howe
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