Interview With Lee Payne of Clover Hoof
September 7, 2026 — Recently, we had the opportunity to chat with bassist Lee Payne of legendary heavy metal band Cloven Hoof about the band's highly anticipated new studio album, Never a Prophet in Your Own Land.
In our exclusive interview, Lee discusses the band's upcoming album, the possibility of touring in support of its release, and much more. Read our full interview with Lee Payne below to find out what he had to say about the next chapter in Cloven Hoof's journey.
"Never a Prophet In Your Own Land" is scheduled to drop on September 26, 2026 via HR Records and is available to pre-order in CD, black vinyl album and three different colored vinyl albums. The album can be pre-ordered: HERE and the digital album can be pre-ordered via the CLOVEN HOOF Bandcamp page.
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NEED406: "Never a Prophet in Your Own Land" drops on September 25, 2026 is there anything you can tell us about the creation of the album that you haven't told anyone else yet?
Lee: A pleasure. The last album “Heathen Cross” was in many ways a return to our first album roots. It was darkly heavy with a lot of occult themes. We rehearsed it as a band first and let the tracks become lived in. When it came to recording it for real, the band were recorded live in the studio with minimum overdubs. This was a good way to go because the songs were powerful and straight ahead, epic metal.
However a different approach was needed on “Never a prophet in your own land,” because of the epic symphonic arrangements of the tracks. It was eclectic like “A sultan’s ramsom,” showing the full bandwidth of the band. Every song was varied and had unique identity. The pure essence of our trade mark sound was retained, but it was more layered and varied than ever.
Because of this epic sounding grandoiseness, I knew what I had in mind could only be realized if I worked very closely with our keyboard player and engineer Chris Dando. That meant initially recording a rough demo of all the songs with just me paying all guitars and bass. My guide vocals were also put down to make sure nothing would clash with the keyboard sections.
When a click track was done with all the sections completed, the rest of the band had a demo to learn their parts. Once everyone had lived with the structures for a while, we recorded the songs for real, but separately in the studio. The opposite of “Heathen cross” approach in fact.
Harry had the guide vocals sent to him in Greece where he lives, and he learned them inside out. Then he flew to England to record them in vault studios, the place where we have done the last 6 alums. We had 10 days booked originally to record all the vocals and harmonies, but Harry did them all in just 3 days! He smashed it out of sight. And with all his power passion and emotion put into the sessions, he took everything to the next level. A stellar performance from one of the greatest metal singers in the world.
NEED406: How long did it take Cloven Hoof to record "Never a Prophet in Your Own Land"?
Lee: All together I think it took about 3 weeks. There were a lot of elaborate orchestrations to do, and many layered atmospheres to write arrangements for. But the sessions were very spread out due to different band members having commitments. We worked around it in the end, but on the next album it will have a very different sound feel. Cloven Hoof never make the same album twice. We hate safe albums, and we will always keep the fans guessing by trying to make the best album we possibly can. Resting on our laurels are never an option.
NEED406: How many songs did Cloven Hoof have written when it came to start recording "Never a Prophet in Your Own Land”?
Lee: Initially, I like to have 15 possible contenders written. Then we choose the best, narrowing it down to 9 or 10. This is good because sometimes for CD’s, bonus tracks are required depending on the market or country. There is never a shortage of songs with Cloven Hoof. I have already completed demo’s for the follow up album to Never a prophet, and I have enough to include on the album after that! I am in a very rich vein of form at the moment, thank goodness.
NEED406: So far there's been a video made for 'Iron Mask'. Will there be any other songs that the band intends to release as singles/music videos?
Lee: Yes, currently there is another lyric video on show called “Conquistador!” It was written as a homage to all our fans in Mexico and Spain. A tale of Cortez and his ill conceived venture to find Elderado, and plunder its gold. (Note Conquistador, has been released as a single. See embedded video below to view it.)
NEED406: Nearly all of Cloven Hoof's ten studio albums have been released in even numbered years. Is there a special reason why the band has chosen to release nearly all of their studio albums in even years?
Lee: I don’t think so, it just turns out that way. You just get visited by these songs and you work hard to record them. There is no pressure to get them finished, they just come when they are ready. I have always been fascinated by comic books, sci-fi and horror. Legends and mythology too, and they swirl around in my imagination and end up as storylines. I see every song as mini movies that we put to music, heavy metal music!
NEED406: In what ways do you feel that "Never a Prophet in Your Own Land" may be the most satisfying album Clover Hoof has ever done?
Lee:
The tracks are wide-ranging and self-contained, with their own unique identities. There are fast songs, epic songs, immediate tracks, and some are fantastical while others have more urban settings. It is a tour de force, with the added element of keyboard layering. The production is superb also from the great Patrick Engle, the man is a genius.
The new album combines old school with power metal and blends the styles seamlessly. There is even an homage to Deep Purple in there that I want to dedicate to Ritchie Blackmore, my all-time idol. It all started when the keyboard player Chris Dando started playing in rehearsal with a perfect Jon Lord sound on his keyboard. I said, “I have a number lying about that I wrote back in the late 1970s, that would suit that sound to a tee. Everyone wanted to hear it, so I played a few bars and the band loved it.
NEED406: With "Never a Prophet in Your Own Land" dropping on September 25, 2026 and with an anticipated tour to follow, will there be a chance for Cloven Hoof to produce a live album from that possible tour?
Lee: I am so pleased (you) asked me that question. Currently there are plans to release our epic live set from the “Bang your head festival” we did a few years back. It was recorded in HD on 8 camera’s and looks and sounds amazing. The sound recording was so good a live album release is also in the pipeline. Late November has been mentioned for a release just before Christmas.
NEED406: Does Cloven Hoof plan on touring the states once "Never a Prophet in Your Own Land" drops on September 25, 2026?
Lee: I want to tour the states more than anything. We did two headline tours there back to back, and we nearly did a third, but the wife threatened to divorce me if I stayed away from England any longer [laughs]. It was THE best time I have ever had, and headlining the whiskey a go-go will stay with me forever. I always wanted to play there like all my idols did. We will have to go back there for sure!
In the light of the current gulf crisis, driving prices up and disabling world markets. We have decided to suspend touring until 2028. I have lost count of all the gigs we have had to cancel due to budgets being affected and work permit trouble caused by Brexit. It is not fair to the fans to tell them we will appear only for unforeseen incidents to pull the rug from underneath us. So we will work on recording albums in the meantime and blitz throughout the world in 2028. And that certainly includes the wonderful US of A.
NEED406: Who designed the really cool album cover for "Never a Prophet in Your Own Land" and how did the concept for it happen?
Lee: A fantastically talented artist called Dimitar Nikolov painted the cover, he also did the “Age of steel” artwork for us. He asked me for a brief and I gave him as follows: I saw on the face of it lyrically and musically, the title track is about Jesus and his persecution. So that is what the album cover should portray but with a twist.
I came up with this concept. By many, Christ was not fully accepted for his teachings, no matter how wise or good they were. Particularly by the people in his own country. Despite his passion and purity, his own disciples betrayed him, and he ultimately died in the most excruciating way for his unflinching beliefs. The cover therefore should depict Jesus as a wraith-like phantom figure walking the earth, not holy or Divine as the Son of God. But as a skeletal outcast, a mere shunned and wretched mortal man. Paying a dreadful price for his beliefs. I think Dimitar Nikolov depicted this concept in spades. He did an incredible job, and totally outdid my concept sketches.
NEED406: In what ways do you feel Cloven Hoof has progressed musically when compared to previous Cloven Hoof studio albums?
Lee: You can instantly hear how far the band have matured and grown on the new album. The keyboards have given us a new dimension and they make everything sound more dynamic and epic sounding. For all the heavy darkness, there is light and shade like never before. The production blows “A Sultans ransom” totally out of the water and that is the yard stick we are usually measured against.
NEED406: As someone who has been on the metal scene for over Forty years in what ways do you think the metal scene has changed and do you think it will continue to flourish in the years ahead?
Lee: Another great question. I wish I had appreciated the old days of NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) more. You think those days will last forever and the music press would support homegrown talent; they were magical days when denim and leather kids really ruled the streets. And they would travel everywhere and anywhere to watch new young metal bands. It was like a religion. Sadly, that is not the case these days for new metal bands starting out. I do miss the old days with all my heart; so many great memories and happy times. But I think the current band and the music we put out currently is the best in the band’s history. Maybe the best is still to come? I would dearly love another NWOBHM movement to gather momentum, and help new true metal bands starting out.
NEED406: Why do you think the USA hasn't fully embraced having major metal concert festivals the way most of Europe has?
LEE: Hard to say, but we played “Frost and Fire Festival” with Cirith Ungol and Attacker when we toured the states, and it was amazing! The audience went crazy!
NEED406: If Cloven Hoof could put together a metal show played somewhere on the continent of Antarctica, what bands would you want to share the stage with Cloven Hoof?
Lee: Elixir and Desolation Angels! Because singer Paul Taylor is in both bands and he is a diamond geezer! Mind you, Maiden and Priest would be good also!!
NEED406: Lee, thank you for your time, we wish Clover Hoof continued success!
LEE: I would just like to thank all the loyal fans throughout the metal world who have stayed with us for over 40 years. Their loyalty is inspirational, and we send them our very best wishes. Thank you for this interview Mike. Glad you like the new album, it is definitely one of our best ever… Long live Need406!
CLOVEN HOOF are an English heavy metal band from Wolverhampton, originally formed in 1979 and later reformed around 2000. The band is closely associated with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement, alongside legendary acts such as Diamond Head, Iron Maiden, and Saxon.
CLOVEN HOOF released their self-titled debut album in 1984 and have since built an impressive discography spanning nine studio albums, two EPs, one live album, and one compilation album. The band's highly anticipated tenth studio album, Never a Prophet In Your Own Land, is scheduled for release on September 25, 2026. The album is currently available for pre-order HERE. Digital album pre-order can be found HERE.
Cloven Hoof is: Lee Payne (Bass), Harry "The Tyrant" Conklin (Lead Vocals), Luke Hatton (Guitar), Chris Coss (Guitar), Chris Dando (Keyboards/Vocals) & Ash Baker (Drums/Vocals).
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“Never A Prophet In Your Own Land” track listing:
01. Terror From The Sky
02. Conquistador
03. Never A Prophet
04. Gypsy Roller
05. The Bigger They Are
06. Iron Mask
07. Phantom Chaser
08. Flying Dutchman
09. Prodigal Son
10. Seven Sacred Wonders
Cloven Hoof Discography:
1982 Demo (1982)
Second 1982 Demo (1982)
The Opening Ritual (1982 EP)
Cloven Hoof (1984)
Fighting Back (1986 Live Allbum)
Dominator (1988/Re-released 2011-12)
A Sultan's Ransom (1989/Re-released 20212)
Eye of the Sun (2006)
The Definitive Part One (2008 Compilation Album)
A Sultan's Ransom (2010 DVD)
Throne of Damnation (2010 EP)
Resist or Serve (2014)
Who Mourns for the Morning Star (2017)
Age of Steel (2022)
Heathen Cross (2026)
Never a Prophet In Your Own Land (9/25/2026)