Rock five-piece Sergeant Thunderhoof return with the release of their fifth studio album ‘The Ghost of Badon Hill’ on November 15th 2024 via Pale Wizard Records, the follow up to 2022’s acclaimed album ‘This Sceptred Veil’.
Hailing from the historical area of Somerset Sergeant Thunderhoof have yet again delved deep into local history, mythology and folklore to deliver their most focussed album to date. ‘The Ghost of Badon Hill’ is a true conceptual piece, set in the 4th Century AD and positively charged with raw emotion and Arthurian mysticism. Recorded with Josh Gallop (who recently became an official member of the band) at Stage 2 Studios in Bath and mastered by Tony Reed (Mos Generator), their new LP sees the band exploring wider and more textured sonic landscapes, whilst conceptually delving into Somerset’s famous Battle of Badon.
Ahead of the release of the album comes its leading single ‘Blood Moon’ and its accompanying music video, out today, October 4th 2024.
Flitcroft says:
“Lyrically, the song Blood Moon is about finding courage and hope when all around is despair. Knowing that what we do in this life, echoes through eternity long after we’re all gone. The song came together very quickly as a result of a jam in our rehearsal space. It’s a much shorter and punchier song than is usual for our band which makes a refreshing change.”
Sergeant Thunderhoof formed in 2013 by sheer accident. Each member had previously worked together in other bands over the years and one night during a jam session, what transpired was a debut LP Zigurat which took everyone, the band included, by surprise. They quickly hit upon a sound which incorporated their love of dark, brooding and soulful grooves, super rich melodies and thick, fuzzy low end rhythm sections.
The band, and their output, rapidly picked up steam, performing alongside the likes of Elder, Valley of the Sun, Mos Generator, Siguriya, Karma to Burn, Kamchatka, Desert Storm and King Buffalo, building a loyal and growing listener base along the way.
Sergeant Thunderhoof have amassed a rich and varied back catalogue including four 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 which paid sweet homage to their Somerset roots. The album achieved universal acclaim across the industry, including glowing reviews in the likes of Metal Hammer alongside achieving the title of third top spot in Doom Charts’ Albums of the Year. This led to the band being offered appearances at numerous festivals including ArcTanGent and DesertFest London.
What makes This Sceptred Veil’s achievements all the more impressive is how Sergeant Thunderhoof have done everything themselves in their own studio, self-funded through their own label.
Novacaine Says:
Having had the pleasure of hearing 'The Ghost of Badon Hill' already, I can say with certainty that you're going to want to put the release date straight into your calendar, and 'Blood Moon' is the perfect little morsel to drop us in prepration for the impending album.
Sergeant Thunderhoof are masters of storytelling and theme-work when it comes to their creative output, and the roots of this entire album shine through with each song, taking you on a hero's journey through history and folklore. Pairing this with the exceptional soundscape they created, not just in Blood Moon - slow enough to haunt you, powerful enough to grip you - but the entire album, you have what I can only describe as a book in musical format.
Just as the Battle of Badon was credited as one of the largest Brittonic victories against the westward encroachment of Anglo-Saxons (yes, I went down a research rabbit hole with this one), 'The Ghost of Badon Hill' should certainly be hailed as a musical victory, a resplendent feather in Sergeant Thunderhoof's cap!
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