The Hoof formed in the latter stages of 2013 by sheer accident. With no intentions of starting a new musical project, all the members had worked with each other in previous bands over the years and were at a point in their lives where they just wanted to get together for a jam and not take anything too seriously. What transpired was a debut LP (Zigurat) which took everyone, including the band by surprise. They had hit upon a sound which incorporated their love of dark, brooding, soulful grooves, super rich melodies and thick, fuzzy low end rhythm sections.
Rapidly the band and their output picked up steam, with offers to perform with the likes of Elder, Valley of the Sun Mos Generator, Siguriya, Karma to Burn, Kamchatka, Desert Storm, King Buffalo, Avon, Skraeckoedlan, Gonga and many more artists that they would consider their peers. With a loyal and growing listener base, Sergeant Thunderhoof have amassed a rich and varied back catalogue including 4 studio albums, a live full length, an epic split LP with Howling Giant, numerous compilation appearances for the likes of Ripple Music and Magnetic Eye Records and even a surprise tribute to Kate Bush.
It was in 2022 that Sergeant Thunderhoof properly realised their potential with the release of ‘This Sceptred Veil’, a colossal Double LP length record which paid sweet homage to their own Somerset roots. The album achieved universal acclaim across the industry, including glowing reviews in the likes of Metal Hammer magazine alongside achieving the title of 3rd Best Album of the Year the now widely recognised ‘Doom Charts’. This led to the band being offered appearances at numerous festivals including ArcTanGent and DesertFest London.
What makes the achievement of ‘This Sceptred Veil’ all the more intriguing is how Sergeant Thunderhoof have done everything themselves in their own studio, entirely through their own label and finances.
Dan Flitcroft: “This new album feels to me like our most focussed and thoughtful release to date. In the past we’ve not had any limitations when it comes to song lengths and structures as we didn’t have a label breathing down our neck calling the shots. But one thing I knew was needed for this album was to set some boundaries. Foremost of which was the ability to get it on to two sides of Vinyl, as opposed to having to put most of our previous works on double packages due to the sheer length of the songs.
So, knowing that we only 22 minutes or so per side to play with, it forced us to take the songs we had been jamming and sort the wheat from the chaff. Anything that felt unnecessary or superfluous was scrapped, with every moment on the record needing to justify its own place. I came across the theme for the album by sheer accident when out walking with my family. I had no idea that Bath was a possible location for a real-life battle between the Britons and invading Anglo Saxons, on what was known as Badon Hill. There are a few prominent hills in and around our City that have been suggested as possible locations, famously Peter Gabriel sang about Solsbury Hill many years ago, and that is a such a special and romantic place to visit.
I got lost down a rabbithole of facts, speculation, mythology and fantasy. I very quickly focussed in on a story of simple people leading simple lives, forced to do amazing things to protect themselves and their kind. Having this narrative ticking away in my brain whilst working on the songs with the band really helped shape the feel and emotional journey that the songs take you on. I couldn’t be prouder of this work and the fantastic contribution that all the members of the band brought to the table”.
