August 23rd, 2023 - The Dominator Vs. The Incredible Pulp

 

Hello metal maniacs and hop heads!  Your drinking buddy the Meista here today rocking the hell out with a hoppy and delicious Incredible Pulp Blood Orange Extra Pale Ale from the fine folks at Boneyard Beer and "Dominator", the kick-ass, heavy-hitting sophomore album by the mighty Cloven Hoof!  Hell yeah!! 

Album Info:

• Artist: Cloven Hoof
• Title: "Dominator"
• Recorded: 1987 at Signwave Studios, Gas Street, Birmingham, England
• Release date: July 1988 (2nd studio album by Cloven Hoof)
• Record company: Heavy Metal Records / High Roller Records
• Production: Guy Bidmead
• Album cover art: John Blanche
• Personnel: Jon Brown (drums), Russ North (vocals), Lee Payne (bass), and Andy Wood (guitars)
• Musical style: Heavy metal, NWOBHM
• Sound: Probably one of the most important NWOBHM albums recorded in my humble opinion, "Dominator" delivers!  It has everything I love about that '80s British heavy metal sound: fast and fiery riffs, machine gun fire drumming, soaring vocals, and dark, surreal lyrics!  And the song "Rising Up" has to be one of the greatest heavy metal songs ever!
• Major themes: A sci-fi concept album about, themes on the ablum include good vs. evil, rebellion, power, domination, war, escape, space travel, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Rising Up"
2. "Nova Battlestar"
3. "Reach For The Sky"
4. "Warrior Of The Wasteland"
5. "The Invaders"
6. "The Fugitive"
7. "Dominator"
8. "Road Of Eagles"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Boneyard Beer (Bend, Oregon)
• Website: https://boneyardbeer.com/
• Brew: Incredible Pulp Blood Orange Extra Pale Ale
• Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 6.0%
• IBUs: 40
• Pour: The Incredible Pulp pours a fairly clear, golden amber hue with a bubbly, bright white, half-finger head that dissipates to a thin ring with light lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, floral.  There are big aromas of citrus and floral hops: blood orange juice and zest, tangerine, lemon zest, light grapefruit rind and wildflowers, along with more subtle aromas of Pilsner malt, freshly baked wheat bread, and light caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the Incredible Pulp follows the nose with lots of punchy, hop-forward, citrusy, herbal, floral, and malty flavors.  There are notes of bright blood orange juice and pith, pink grapefruit juice, crackery biscuit, and soft caramel/toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and moderately carbonated, the Incredible Pulp's mouthfeel is very crisp, juicy, and hoppy with a dry, slightly bittersweet finish.

Overall pairing: The punchy and citrusy, yet smooth and complex flavors and aromas of the Incredible Pulp Blood Orange Extra Pale Ale is sure to get you amped up and ready to rock!  And that my friends is exactly the kind of beer you want when blasting the highly intense, powerfully rockin' sonic punch that is Cloven Hoof's "Dominator"!  I also think the album artwork and the can label work well together.  'Nuff said!

And if you haven't done so already, make sure to check out my interview with the very friendly, talented, and amazing Lee Payne, bassist, founding member, and mastermind behind Cloven Hoof here: https://youtu.be/j1xlaNRn-JI 

Cheers and hails!!