Review: Sergeant Thunderhoof ‘The Ghost Of Badon Hill’
Over the course of four albums, culminating in 2022’s This Sceptred Veil, Somerset-dwelling prog, stoner and desert rock outfit Sergeant Thunderhoof have been carving out epic, weighty slabs of sci-fi and semi-historically inspired psychedelia. It accumulated justified plaudits and finally earned them an overdue spot on the bill at Desertfest London.
With thoughts turning to the next album, the band, who have previously benefited from a lack of label restrictions, challenged themselves to craft an album capable of fitting on a single vinyl disc while retaining their flair for the dramatic.
The forty-five minutes that make up The Ghost Of Badon Hill claims the title of the shortest ‘Hoof album to date, set against the exploration of myth, folklore and superstition in the band’s home of Bath that plays out through the narrative device of their long-running Sergeant character.
Hailing from Bath, I am very familiar with the possible site of the titular hill (also known as Dan’s Hill, a wry source of amusement considering the name of the frontman) as the view from the top of the landscape overlooks the whole area. It is a part of England where you can feel the baked in spirituality of the Arthurian legend the album’s story revolves around along with ordinary people’s small victories and struggles in an extremely stirring, emotional journey.
In addition to its length, The Ghost Of Badon Hill boasts a slight stylistic departure while losing none of the bombast of old. The band have stripped back past indulgences to create this fat-free offering, which is not to say this is Reign In Blood as the shortest of these songs still runs just shy of six minutes.
The semi-acoustic opening of Badon sounds like it could belong on a classic thrash intro. The muted, soft start sets the tone for the atmospheric tone that will permeate through the album, making it feel more personal and carrying greater weight. Over the lush guitar tone, Dan Filtcroft’s voice is clean and filled with soulful melody as he sets the scene for the overarching concept.
The drums snap with crisp beats joined by the deep bass of Jim Camp as the band shifts into a heavier, but still stately, gear that bristles with restrained power. Filtcroft’s voice takes flight, and guitarists Mark Sayer and new member Josh Gallop combine with winding melodies and a wistful solo giving them a thicker, more mature sound. Those who liked the previous smash-and-grab of You’ve Stolen The Words or Diesel Breath will have to wait for their fix, but the payoff is worth it.
a jaw-dropping release that tops even the magnificence of This Sceptre Veil…
Lead single Blood Moon rises through the ancient mists with a more robust crunching riff, and dizzying guitar leads as the band flexes their harder edge. The vocals take on a grittier tone to match, and the familiar Sergeant Thunderhoof sway is in full effect. The chugging groove buzzes, Darren Ashman shows off his skills as he switches from the hard-hitting thumping of the drums to riding the cymbals effortlessly as they head to the huge melodic chorus. The lyrics talk of heroic endeavours in a heartfelt manner, and the vocals are bright, captured expertly by long-time producer, and now permanent guitarist, Josh Gallop, whose understanding of the band helped hone in on what makes them tick, ensuring The Ghost Of Badon Hill sounds incredible.
Built on a riff that sounds like the distant cousin of The Tree And The Serpent, The Orb Of Octavia calls back to the band’s classic material as Filtcroft gets into full-on storyteller mode. The mellow-sounding track bubbles with an understated heaviness, deftly executed by an outfit surfing a wave of well-deserved confidence. The vocals soar over sumptuous ringing notes, creating rich, layered harmonies. Imperious and muscular, the band lay down a dense, rolling groove that flirts with spacey, floating psychedelia and an ethereal air but grows into a slamming grandiosity that stands tall with their most revered material.
For those craving the heads-down barrage of previous releases, Salvation For The Soul crashes in with a hard-rocking bounce. With a vibrant cowbell introduction and triumphant battle cry, they charge into the album’s most direct and catchy entry with lyrics referencing the Sergeant and awash with plenty of sing-along ‘wo-oahs’ and chugging rhythms. Straight-up bluesy rock and roll, this is a guaranteed set highlight to get the room moving.
Slower, ballad-esque number Sentinel sees the band at their most tender and vulnerable yet. Full of melancholy and regret, it features possibly Dan’s best vocal performance to date as he confesses, ‘I have spent my time, running away from all of the things I am afraid of…’ which hits home with anyone who has suffered from self-doubt as the transition to the heavier section of the song is sublime. The haunting, noodling melody, complete with light piano on the exit, makes this smouldering tune one of the finest they have produced.
Those who loved the pairing of the two-part Avon/Avalon epic will find the closing track, Beyond The Hill, an absolute joy. Again, the guitar tone drips with beauty and the warm, resonating bass ushers in sultry orchestral sweeping moments of dramatic ecstasy. As they take their time to build to the narrative conclusion, Sergeant Thunderhoof channels the songwriting prowess that has meant their previous long-form dalliances have not collapsed into over-indulgence. Majestic and emotional this journey is incredibly worthy of the attempt to create something inspired by the notion of ‘what we do in this life, echoes through eternity long after we’re all gone’.
Mastered by Tony Reed (Mos Generator), The Ghost Of Badon Hill stands out as a bold new vision from the band that retains the core focus of what has made their previous releases so adored by their fanbase. This album is so good that you’ll be cursing the short run time and wishing it would never end, but by setting themselves boundaries, they have streamlined and made a jaw-dropping release that tops even the magnificence of This Sceptre Veil.
Label: Pale Wizard Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Mark Hunt-Bryden
