All of Sergeant Thunderhoof's albums are brilliant let's get this straight before we start but their 2022 record This Sceptred Veil was rightly regarded by many publications as possibility their best. It's certainly their most progressive, an atmospheric masterclass in emotion and depth, so where do they go from there? How do you follow up a masterpiece?
Well with a fifth album that takes a few risks and is centred on the local mythology and folklore from Somerset region. More specifically it's an album that focuses on the Battle Of Badon a battle between the Britons and the Anglo-Saxons as is purportedly the first mention of the figure that would be King Arthur, now the history behind this is a patchy but what's history in place of a good story.
The Ghost Of Badon Hill is an album that made The Hoof focus, known for writing songs that often sprawl over a long run times, when they set foot in the studio alongside Josh Gallop (Phoxjaw) who is now a full time member of the band on guitar. Frontman Dan Filcroft wanted to set boundaries, writing songs that would have to be contained on two sides of vinyl. No double albums, no special editions, just 22 minutes per side and packing in as much Sergeant Thunderhoof as they can.
Recorded by Gallop and mastered by Tony Reed (Mos Generator), The Ghost Of Badon Hill takes the analogue-hued, sonic scope of Reed's work and the modern day machinations of Gallop's, and allows The Hoof to explore lyrically and musically. With the concept in mind, the album took an emotional turn as they put together the songs. That's why there seems to be a cloud of mysticism and perhaps even regret over the record, the theories, stories and tall tales that surround this battle all pitching different ideas from a time where history was oral so nothing could be taken as read.
Badon begins with the "Delicate Sound Of Thunderhoof", acoustics are used to begin the folky beginnings of this tale, it builds from there into a gothic atmosphere, the longing in Filcroft's vocals cutting through the dark approach, the field recordings at the beginning are mirrored at the end of the album too, giving it a cyclical nature of constant repetition. It is an album you need to repeat though, perhaps not as instant as This Sceptred Veil, it’s a record that needs time and repeated plays. As Blood Moon comes next, putting post metal shimmer alongside the sludge of bands such as Mastodon or Baroness, it's a newer sound for the band, Gallop's influence here very clear as he and Sayer shift their riffs towards the proggy side of those bands at the end.
Two tracks out of six and there’s lots happening, much of it in keeping with a band trying to expand their sonic horizon. Keeping the 'old school' Thunderhoof vibe is The Orb Of Octavia, drenched in psych and real slow burner it's got the huge doom riffs many fans will expect, the distortion high on Sayer and Gallop's guitars but with their now being two they can express a bit more, the counterpoint riff here showcasing that perfectly. Jim Camo and his fuzzing bass controls the rhythm and rudders this boat of riffs, setting the crawling pace at the beginning of this 7 minute wonder that shifts between quiet and loud. He’s also the major instrument on the brooding, esoteric Sentinel, a pseudo ballad, it’s the most personal and raw lyrics here, while also being the darkest track on the record.
For me Dan Filcroft's voice doesn't get any better than on Salvation For The Soul, an psychedelic, bouncy number with bags of emotion and personal lyrics, inspired by Sabbath (much of the record is) there’s a big fat riff on this track that will be perfect for the stage, a huge chorus hook well I can already hear being sung back. If Salvation... is Filcroft's then it’s also drummer Darren Ashman's, the drumming here is sublime, not that it isn't elsewhere but there's some jazzy fills and the general forward march here that had me air drumming, he also has a star turn on Badon but Salvation… is blueprint Thundehoof
Culminating in Beyond The Hill, a sweeping anthemic closer where catharsis is let out and the spectres are laid to rest, The Ghost Of Badon Hill is another masterpiece of a record from Sergeant Thunderhoof, they’ve not only followed up their last record but surpassed it, like all myths and legends give it time and it will unfold into a favourite, put some respect on their name Sergeant Thunderhoof are more than an underground sensation. 10/10
The Ghost Of Badon Hill is an album that made The Hoof focus, known for writing songs that often sprawl over a long run times, when they set foot in the studio alongside Josh Gallop (Phoxjaw) who is now a full time member of the band on guitar. Frontman Dan Filcroft wanted to set boundaries, writing songs that would have to be contained on two sides of vinyl. No double albums, no special editions, just 22 minutes per side and packing in as much Sergeant Thunderhoof as they can.
Recorded by Gallop and mastered by Tony Reed (Mos Generator), The Ghost Of Badon Hill takes the analogue-hued, sonic scope of Reed's work and the modern day machinations of Gallop's, and allows The Hoof to explore lyrically and musically. With the concept in mind, the album took an emotional turn as they put together the songs. That's why there seems to be a cloud of mysticism and perhaps even regret over the record, the theories, stories and tall tales that surround this battle all pitching different ideas from a time where history was oral so nothing could be taken as read.
Badon begins with the "Delicate Sound Of Thunderhoof", acoustics are used to begin the folky beginnings of this tale, it builds from there into a gothic atmosphere, the longing in Filcroft's vocals cutting through the dark approach, the field recordings at the beginning are mirrored at the end of the album too, giving it a cyclical nature of constant repetition. It is an album you need to repeat though, perhaps not as instant as This Sceptred Veil, it’s a record that needs time and repeated plays. As Blood Moon comes next, putting post metal shimmer alongside the sludge of bands such as Mastodon or Baroness, it's a newer sound for the band, Gallop's influence here very clear as he and Sayer shift their riffs towards the proggy side of those bands at the end.
Two tracks out of six and there’s lots happening, much of it in keeping with a band trying to expand their sonic horizon. Keeping the 'old school' Thunderhoof vibe is The Orb Of Octavia, drenched in psych and real slow burner it's got the huge doom riffs many fans will expect, the distortion high on Sayer and Gallop's guitars but with their now being two they can express a bit more, the counterpoint riff here showcasing that perfectly. Jim Camo and his fuzzing bass controls the rhythm and rudders this boat of riffs, setting the crawling pace at the beginning of this 7 minute wonder that shifts between quiet and loud. He’s also the major instrument on the brooding, esoteric Sentinel, a pseudo ballad, it’s the most personal and raw lyrics here, while also being the darkest track on the record.
For me Dan Filcroft's voice doesn't get any better than on Salvation For The Soul, an psychedelic, bouncy number with bags of emotion and personal lyrics, inspired by Sabbath (much of the record is) there’s a big fat riff on this track that will be perfect for the stage, a huge chorus hook well I can already hear being sung back. If Salvation... is Filcroft's then it’s also drummer Darren Ashman's, the drumming here is sublime, not that it isn't elsewhere but there's some jazzy fills and the general forward march here that had me air drumming, he also has a star turn on Badon but Salvation… is blueprint Thundehoof
Culminating in Beyond The Hill, a sweeping anthemic closer where catharsis is let out and the spectres are laid to rest, The Ghost Of Badon Hill is another masterpiece of a record from Sergeant Thunderhoof, they’ve not only followed up their last record but surpassed it, like all myths and legends give it time and it will unfold into a favourite, put some respect on their name Sergeant Thunderhoof are more than an underground sensation. 10/10
No comments:
Post a Comment