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This Sceptred Veil

by Sergeant Thunderhoof

supported by
Harry Harrison
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Harry Harrison This is colossal. I’ve been enjoying these guys for years but this album is next level. They seemed to have found their stride & it’s a biggin’. I feel that they’re heading into the Groove/Rock Genre of Clutch but still carry that epic, larger-than-life sound you’d expect from Zeppelin or later era Soundgarden. Their sound is tighter than a fish’s ass (and that’s water tight) & whatever these guys are doing; I’m loving it. And…the vocals are so, so, so good! I’m excited for their next outing. Favorite track: King Beyond the Gates.
Chris B.
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Chris B. another masterpiece - dont know, where these guys get their inspiration from - but the result speaks for itself.
fucking awesome!
Sol/PanCVIN
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Sol/PanCVIN Stunning fiffs,good sounding voice and drums.Hard stoner stellar beast.
Favorite track: Avon & Avalon, Pt. 1.
more... more...
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    Limited to 250 copies. Gatefold sleeve. Double sided inner insert. Poly lined inner sleeves. 180g Heavyweight Transparent with Green Centre Vinyl.

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    Get all 8 Sergeant Thunderhoof releases available on Bandcamp and save 40%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of This Sceptred Veil, Beyond The Pale: Volume One, Delicate Sound of Thunderhoof, TURNED TO STONE Chapter 2: Masamune & Muramasa, Live on Earth (2020 remaster), Terra Solus, Ride Of The Hoof, and Zigurat. , and , .

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1.
Unleash the serpents before they break down the walls There’s a strange sense of wonder in a world that can’t evolve And I save all my pennies, with my hands down in the salt Calling for your Mother, you should have stayed at home Are we safe in these four walls? Never got a ride Hauled up in the bathroom, no words to resign And I saved all my pennies to placate every God Put my faith in tomorrow, don’t stray away from home And you’ve stolen the words, alright! And the love is gone, alright! This world ain’t monochrome boy, when one bite can bring you down Take your plastic sweetness, your superficial crown And you save all your pennies for an illuminated love The truth is still the truth boy, take your toys and run And you’ve stolen the words, alright! And the love is gone, alright! We’re all human, we all trip up. Why do you push aside? We’re all human, we all trip up. Why do you push aside? If you are so smart, then just why do you stay? If you are so kind, why do you act this way? In this sacred life, we have but one resolve To love and be loved, when you are gone If you are so smart, then just why do you stay? If you are so kind, why do you act this way? In this sacred life, we have but one resolve To love and be loved, when you are gone
2.
I’ve been taking my time, gotta get it right Surfing to the source, through the web of time Waves crushing the hills, it’s hard to ignore Tyranny on turbo, coming to your door Oh baby yeah! Circles in yourself, forever setting fire Cuts getting deeper, ever shifting lines Keep taking the pills, they’re hard to ignore Help the Devil’s daughter, lying on your floor It’s a rope hanging strong, around the throat, it doesn’t make you wrong Well I don’t mind which way you go, just hold your tongue until I’m gone We’ve been bleeding fear, one and one is five The skin rips dear, this world of mine You and only your fate, only left and right You exist on the edge yeah, by an empty sky It’s a rope hanging strong, around the throat, it doesn’t make you wrong Well I don’t mind which way you go, just hold your tongue until I’m gone A love so ferocious, arms that could kill Take me on the other side of the hill Give me the patience, bring me some pain Keep that fire burning, I’m calling your name I’ve been taking my time, gotta get it right Surfing to the source, through the web of time Waves crushing the hills, it’s hard to ignore Tyranny on turbo, coming to your door Oh lordy yeah! The Devil’s daughter, she’s getting closer The Devil’s daughter, she’s getting closer
3.
Through the back of beyond, we’ve travelled far through the storm Molecules dissolving small, a vision true, our minds resolved Before the madness guides you How can we trust, once we thought true A stream of noise, absolute blue Where lies become born anew No matter how the words sound cruel Before the madness guides you, hold on Before the cancer takes you, move on And I was sitting on Father’s shoulders Raising my neck just to get a glimpse Nothing else existing in that perfect moment And I’d love to see myself again Your judgement falls, your conscience clear Our working poor, silenced by fear From hilltops green, announce your view Of hateful greed, to those with few Before the madness guides you, hold on Before the cancer takes you, move on And I was sitting on Father’s shoulders Raising my neck just to get a glimpse Nothing else existing in that perfect moment And I’d love to see myself again And I was sitting on Father’s shoulders Raising my neck just to get a glimpse Nothing else existing in that perfect moment And I’d love to see myself again This sceptred veil that holds me With loving arms just to keep me near With jealous eyes you haunt me Because our love is what you fear
4.
Foreigner 10:48
I could feel force shaking my ribs so sore Just to hear, to see, to feel you close Backs against the crowd, a memory so proud, in awe And now I understand why you keep shining on In this place Foreigner, take me back A son is born The space between what you can see is Lord Help us break this curtain between us We could reach you through the glass A truth so sadly cold Pain would be replaced by darkness all In this place Foreigner, take me back A son is born Foreigner, take me back A son is born, In this place Foreigner, take me back A son is born And I thank you for those days For every silly game For each line traced And when I think back, it’s always you And when I stand tall, it’s always you And now we can’t stem the flow I’m just a foreigner wherever I go And when I think back, it’s always you And when I stand tall, it’s always you And now we can’t stem the flow I’m just a foreigner wherever I go There comes a day of reckoning This staff I carry, is deafening You surrounded us with your love Help us hold on to your sweet glow To protect us from the deep crush We sent the warriors away from The lines on our face Stories well traced The pain in my chest Pull me down, down, down, down The truth we all face Gone from this place The line is replaced Would there still be a trace? Would there be a trace? Would there still be a trace? Pull me down, down, down, down
5.
Woman Call 05:22
The night is full of wonder But you can’t have it all It’s a sad state of affairs You give yourself to feelings Without pain to hold you down It’s a fait accompli yeah It’s time for your woman! Woman call Take your prayers And put them to bed, alright! Take me to the field of reason Blinding by the lights beyond It’s a place of evil yeah Crude self-centred treason Where you can have it all It’s a sad state of affairs, alright! Cos I said Woman! Woman call Take your prayers And put them to bed Cos I said Woman! Woman call Take your prayers And put them to bed, alright! In the night, it’s easy To break down, to your kiss, huh! Gather your soul Tied to the wall Gather your soul Tied to the wall Gather your soul Tied to the wall Gather your soul Tied to the wall Woman! Woman call Take your prayers And put them to bed Cos I said Woman! Woman call Take your prayers And put them to bed It’s time for your woman! Woman call Take your prayers And put them to bed It’s time for your woman! Woman call Take your prayers And put them to bed
6.
A shadow rises, then fades to black The smoke disguises the way The world falls silent The truth untold Dig my palms in to the soil Yeah Why is it raining? It’s not your fault Now it’s pouring Endless walking to your door The curtain sweeps us all Yeah Why is it raining? It’s not your fault Now it’s pouring, come on Pour! Pour! Pour! Pour! Reward your failing, with tooth and sword I think I’m waking up Yeah Why is it raining? It’s not your fault Now it’s pouring. It’s not your fault Can’t stop it raining. It’s not your fault Now it’s pouring. It’s not your fault
7.
If he’s gonna save ya, you wanna keep him around If she’s gonna sacrifice herself, she’s sound as a pound But if he’s just a white knight, with words of sweetness oh Chances are he’s faking, hiding something from you, oh Cos being good feels good enough to me Being blind is where I wanna be Don’t be the guy who’s saying “look at me” Do I have to scream and yell? Show don’t tell! Don’t tell me how to be good, I don’t need lessons from you The shiny words from your mouth don’t synchronise with your truth, oh Cos if you need a high five, for not being a douche You made it about yourself again, so tell that fool to vamoose! Oh! Cos being good feels good enough to me Being blind is where I wanna be Don’t be the guy who’s saying “look at me” Do I have to scream and yell? Show don’t tell! I’m not gonna waste my time Talking to a waste of time If you have to explain your holiness baby You ain’t going near my loving kind Cos that’s not kind Show don’t tell! Show don’t tell! Show don’t tell! Every time you seek love, it’s one step closer to hell Cos checking on your neighbour, is a reward in itself oh! Cos no one likes a white knight, who only thinks of himself Listen to your heart my friend, it’s saying show don’t tell Cos being good feels good enough to me Being blind is where I wanna be Don’t be the guy who’s saying “look at me” Do I have to scream and yell? Show don’t tell!
8.
Walk on to these shores Bring forth the blood of the son What once sitting fair The way to Avalon Along this white horse Over Mendip strong Become from a boy Avon and Avalon And Avalon! With the sweat of an infant mighty born Become a man on this sacred soil With the sweat of an infant mighty born Become a man on this sacred soil With the sweat of an infant mighty born Become a man on this sacred soil With the sweat of an infant mighty born Become a man on this sacred soil Avon and Avalon Avon and Avalon Avon and Avalon Avon and Avalon
9.
Over vast oceans of time I have come to deliver the word of life Where I plant my staff, shall a truth blossom wide Its leaves the essence A revelation of time For I carried him on my back Until we saw the sun rise over Avalon Feet blistered and bloodied Clothes tattered and torn For then he was just a boy It’s all circles all Divide in to dust (can’t do this alone) And I’m frozen cold An hourglass to hold (can’t do this alone) Over vast oceans of time I have come to deliver the word of life Where I plant my staff, shall a truth blossom wide Its leaves the essence A revelation of time The sun will rise again The blood, the sweat, the sin The sun will rise again The blood, the sweat, the sin

about

Drawing on the ancient myths and legends of the South West of England, Sergeant Thunderhoof return with the colossal epic 'This Sceptred Veil'. Recorded in their home town of Bath (UK) by Josh Gallop (Phoxjaw) and mastered by Tony Reed (Mos Generator), this new LP sees the band explore darker and denser territory than their previous albums.

“This needs to be hailed as the band’s crowning achievement to date and an effortless album of the year contender.” - headbangerreviews.wordpress.com

"Plenty of light and shade, combined with a real depth of songwriting, and subject matter around the magical Isle of Avalon make for incredibly interesting listening." – rpmonline.co.uk

“The kind of album that, the moment you press “play”, just immediately emits a kind of aural glow. Titanic and timeless.” – rockandrollfables.com

“This isn’t just a retro call-back to the Man’s Ruin roster of 1998. There’s a subtle but dextrous progressive flow at work. 8.10” – Metal Hammer Magazine

“It’s hard to pick out individual tracks here as Sergeant Thunderhoof have crafted a slice of brilliance from beginning to end.” – gbhbl.com

“The song writing and the variation whilst still remaining utterly Sergeant Thunderhoof is just fantastic and packed with such emotional power it floors me. Bloody magnificent. 10/10” – avenoctum.com

“An exceedingly delightful listening experience from start to finish. 10/10” – distortedsoundmag.com

"As a band, everything they’ve done so far has led to this ultimate triumph. 10/10" – musipediaofmetal.blogspot.com

“On this form, Sergeant Thunderhoof may have just released my favourite ALBUM OF THE YEAR so far." – outlawsofthesun.blogspot.com

“Each track is distinct but still managing to contain the Thunderhoof style. A style which has produced a marvellous piece of work.” – therazorsedge.rocks

“All the stoner, progressive and psychedelic-tinged elements are still present, and there is a real transcendental, mystic quality to the record that can't be escaped." – diariesofdoomuk.blogspot.com

"It feels like a cliché to invoke the notion that a band’s latest album is their best yet, but in the case of Sergeant Thunderhoof and This Sceptred Veil it is absolutely true. Everything the band has done before is writ large here, agonised over and refined to the nth degree, delivering a truly remarkable piece of art." – thesleepingshaman.com

“The album is marvellous – a wondrous, heavy fuzz presence that pulses and undulates and lifts you away.” – flyingfiddlesticks.com

“This is an outstanding release in which its magical construction prevails over all things, leaving one of the great works of this year. The return of Sergeant Thunderhoof must stand out above many.” – lahabitacion235.com

“Features some of their heaviest songs to date. This Sceptered Veil is an impressive listen. The band remains one of the leading voices in the world of progressive stoner doom. 90%” – metal-archives.com

“For anyone who enjoys challenging metal music, This Sceptred Veil will undoubtedly offer rich and unrelenting reward. 4/5” – offthehookmusic.com

“Sergeant Thunderhoof are probably never going fly to gigs in their own charted plane or live in huge mansions decorated in questionable taste, those days are long gone, these days bands have to subsidise their rock'n'roll lifestyles by having proper jobs which makes it even more astonishing that despite having to take kids to school, worrying about paying bills and generally trying to survive from day to day a band like The Hoof are still able to make albums as powerful, majestic and essential as "This Sceptred Veil" – Desert Psychlist stonerking1.blogspot.com

“"This Sceptred Veil is a remarkable album. Bursting at the seams with rich emotion, spectacular hooks, and immersive atmosphere, Sergeant Thunderhoof have produced something special here. Essential listening." – wonderboxmetal.com

"There is nothing about this album I don’t love; if you’re looking for heavy and melodic and epic and anthemic, you”ve come to the right place." – ninecircles.co

“Don’t let the daft band name throw you off, this is a mature, expertly crafted contender for album of the year. 5/5” – ERB Magazine emergingrockbands.co.uk

“Bath psyche rockers Sergeant Thunderhoof have not only brought one of the best band names of 2022 to the table but they have also taken my breath away with their outstanding new album. " – listenwithmonger.blogspot.com

"Sergeant Thunderhoof have created a superb album in “This Sceptred Veil” – one of the best of the year, so far. Don’t miss it. 9.5/10" – ever-metal.com

“Sergeant Thunderhoof and their new album This Sceptred Veil are for me personally already legendary” – stonerhive.blogspot.com

“It is never anything less than great throughout. As far as I’m concerned, this is the best thing the band have done. 10/10” – Powerplay Magazine powerplaymagazine.co.uk

“This album is so emotionally charged that the band could have gotten away with fluffing the album with a few weak tracks. But you won’t find any here. This Sceptred Veil is well constructed, and even “Show Don’t Tell,” which is a sonic outlier on the record, has a purpose. This Sceptred Veil will definitely be on our Best of 2022 list in December. 10/10” – monsterriff.com

“Not every band can put together a near 70 minute album that doesn’t get stale, but I find myself just restarting this one over and over lately!” – doomcharts.com

credits

released June 3, 2022

All Rights Reserved
A Pale Wizard Records (UK) release 2021
All music and lyrics by Sergeant Thunderhoof
Produced by Josh Gallop
Recorded at Stage 2 Studios (Bath, Somerset, UK) 2021
Mastered by Tony Reed at HeavyHead Recording Co (Port Orchard, WA, USA) 2021
Additional instrumental flourishes, embellishments, and vocals by Josh Gallop
Artwork and layout by Sara-Jane Swettenham

Emotional support and politically incorrect musings from Nick Flagg (apologies for not crediting you on Terra Solus)
Our thanks to Gary Flitcroft for being Almost/Semi/Kinda Executive Producer and occasional bank roller
Massive appreciation to Josh Gallop for pulling the album together and steering the ship
Special thanks as always to Katie Voak
Special thanks to Sara-Jane Swettenham for the superb artwork
Our thanks to all the supporters of our little band around the World. You’re very special to us
Cheers to Dave Crowley and family. Keep on rocking in the free world Brother!

Dedicated to the memories of Eamonn McManus Snr, Sheila Rigby,
Mark proudly uses Planet Tone pickups

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Sergeant Thunderhoof Bath, UK

Psychedelic tinged heavy grooves from the mystical realms of Somerset in England.

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