Rabidfest 2024: Breaking Down The Bands #3: Cloven Hoof!

Striking fear into the hearts of the natives, Metal Heads from the four corners of the green and pleasant land we call the United Kingdom will descend upon The Bullingdon in the heart of Oxford in November for the return of Rabidfest. No less than twenty bands of the highest order will entertain the masses over the Weekend of Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd, so expect thrills and spills in front of the Devolution Magazine sponsored main stage. Here’s the line up in full…

Evile (Saturday Headliner)
Viscera (Sunday Headliner)
Cloven Hoof
Fury
Recall The Remains
Voidwalker
From Her Ashes
Imperium
Eschalon
Draconian Reign
Existentialist
Damaged Reich
As The World Dies
Rats Eat Rats
Forlorn
Ocean Planet
40000 Leagues
Theorist
Dead Man’s Pistol
Halfway Home

Bassist and backing vocalist Lee Payne might be the sole surviving original member of New Wave Of British Heavy Metal masters Cloven Hoof but when you’ve had a career spanning the better part of half a century, there are always going to be a few bumps in the road. Formed in Wolverhampton in 1979 as Nightstalker before changing their name two years later, the now six piece have no less than 10 albums, 3 demos 2 EPs, 2 compilations, a live album and a partridge in a pear tree under their collective bullet belts. All of that despite an eleven year hiatus from 1990 to 2001.

It’s impossible to sum up a career of that length from a band who stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Saxon, Diamond Head and Iron Maiden in a couple of paragraphs so let’s start with some essential listening. “Nightstalker” from their 1984 self titled debut album is an absolute belter, so good in fact that it appeared on the soundtrack to video game Brutal Legend in 2009. “Dominator“, the title track of their 1988 science fiction concept record and a masterclass in US Power Metal stylings. “Highlander” from their 1989 follow up “A Sultan’s Ransom“, a classy moment on what would be the bands last album for a eleven long years. There are a few who would argue that the real comeback record was 2014’s “Resist or Serve” with opening cut “Call of the Dark Ones” the very definition of ‘go big or go home’. That was the only album to feature vocals and guitars from Joe Whelan and even has Thrash inspired riffs and harsh vocals on personal favourite “Mutilator“. While we’re at it lets throw in “Star Rider” from 2017’s “Who Mourns For The Mourning Star?“, a cut which proved the band still had the fire in their bellies despite the passing of time. So that’s six reasons to drag your carcass to The Bullingdon to witness these fine Gentlemen in action.

After 45 years, May 2024 saw the arrival of the bands 10th studio album “Heathen Cross” via High Roller Records and it’s a mighty fine piece of work. The first to feature vocalist Harry “The Tyrant” Conklin (Jag Panzer, The Three Tremors, Titan Force), keyboard player Chris Dando (Awaken Eternity, Kingdom of Madness, East of Lyra) and with guitarist Ash Baker returning on drums after four years away, it has the Cloven Hoof hallmark emblazoned upon it.

We’re proud to be a Media Partner of Rabidfest again this year alongside Red Death Media, Moomin Merchandise, Metalplanetmusic, Moshville Times, GraphicsFix, TwoFace Promotions, Blackstar Amplification, DC Sound Attack and main stage sponsor. Devolution Magazine. The Festival is all for charity and this year the profits will be going to the The Sophie Lancaster Foundation!

Rabidfest will take place at The Bullingdon in Oxford over the weekend of the 2nd and 3rd November 2024:

Get your tickets here -> https://www.rabidfest.co.uk

Get your merch here -> https://shop.rabidfest.co.uk