Angel Witch are a British heavy metal band which formed in London in 1976 as part of the

new wave of British heavy metal The new wave of British heavy metal (commonly abbreviated as NWOBHM) was a nationwide musical movement that started in England in the mid-1970s and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. Journalist Geoff Barton coined the term i ...

(NWOBHM) movement.

Biography

Formation

The band formed, originally under the name of Lucifer, of guitarist and vocalist Kevin Heybourne, guitarist Rob Downing, drummer Steve Jones, and bassist Barry Clements. Lucifer split and Steve Jones joined Bruce Dickinson to form Speed. The remnants of Lucifer became Angel Witch, with the exceptions of Clements, who was replaced by Kevin Riddles, and Steve Jones, who was replaced by Steve Coleman. The following year Rob Downing left the band.

Limited chart success, brief record deal

Angel Witch's first song to achieve mainstream popularity was "Baphomet", which was included on a compilation titled ''

Metal for Muthas ''Metal for Muthas'' is the name given to a series of heavy metal compilations made during the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM). The original compilation was ''Metal for Muthas'', released in February 1980. The compilation was a sampl ...

''. This song drew a fair amount of attention to the band, and they eventually signed a recording deal with

EMI EMI Group Limited (originally an initialism for Electric and Musical Industries, also referred to as EMI Records Ltd. or simply EMI) was a British Transnational corporation, transnational Conglomerate (company), conglomerate founded in March 1 ...

. However, the deal was soon cancelled, due to manager Ken Heybourne refusing to hand Angel Witch over to professional management, and the poor performance of their first single released under the EMI label in 1980, which was entitled "Sweet Danger" and lasted a single week on the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

. This was their only UK chart listing and despite being quite an achievement for a

NWOBHM The new wave of British heavy metal (commonly abbreviated as NWOBHM) was a nationwide musical movement that started in England in the mid-1970s and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. Journalist Geoff Barton coined the term ...

group, spending a single week at No. 75 (the lowest position in the charts) meant they were listed as the 'least successful chart act of all time' in the ''Guinness Book of Hit Records''. This same feat was repeated by fellow NWOBHM group

Grand Prix Grand Prix ( , meaning ''Grand Prize''; plural Grands Prix), is a name sometimes used for competitions or sport events, alluding to the winner receiving a prize, trophy or honour Grand Prix or grand prix may refer to: Arts and entertainment ...

with their ''Keep On Believing'' 7" in 1983.

Debut album

In 1980,

Bronze Records Bronze Records was an independent English record label founded in 1971 by record producer Gerry Bron on Oxford Street in London, eventually relocating to Chalk Farm. History Bron had been producing Uriah Heep for Vertigo Records, and he set up ...

picked up the band and they soon proceeded to record and release their debut album, self-titled ''

Angel Witch Angel Witch are a British heavy metal band which formed in London in 1976 as part of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) movement. Biography Formation The band formed, originally under the name of Lucifer, of guitarist and vocalist ...

''. This album is considered one of the most notable from the

Break-ups and re-unions

Subsequent to the album's release, the band's structure began to fall apart. The sacking of Dave Hogg, and Kevin Riddles leaving the band to join Tytan, and despite Heybourne's attempts to continue Angel Witch with other musicians, the end of the band was declared and he joined

Deep Machine Deep Machine were an English heavy metal band from the East London, England, that first came into existence in 1979. Founded by lead guitarist Bob Hooker, the band's music was influenced by other NWOBHM bands such as Iron Maiden and in partic ...

. Angel Witch returned to activity on 1982, when Heybourne and two musicians from Deep Machine - namely vocalist Roger Marsden and drummer Ricky Bruce - left to assemble a new Angel Witch line-up together with bassist Jerry Cunningham. This line-up lasted a very short time, as Marsden's voice did not fit the style of the band very well. He was fired from the band and Heybourne assumed the vocals once more. By 1983, the band had ceased its activities, and Heybourne moved to Blind Fury. In 1984, Angel Witch was once more brought to life, this time with the help of bassist Peter Gordelier (ex-Marquis De Sade), singer Dave Tattum and with Dave Hogg returning to the drums. This line-up recorded the album ''Screamin' N' Bleedin''. Dave Hogg was sacked yet again. He was replaced by Spencer Hollman. With the new drummer they recorded ''Frontal Assault'', which deviated heavily from Angel Witch's previous albums, having many

melodic A melody (from Greek μελῳδία, ''melōidía'', "singing, chanting"), also tune, voice or line, is a linear succession of musical tones that the listener perceives as a single entity. In its most literal sense, a melody is a combinat ...

elements. Dave Tattum was released the same year and for a few years Angel Witch played as a trio on sporadic live performances. In 1989, they recorded a new live album, entitled simply ''Live''.

Creation of American group

Heybourne decided that it was in the band's best interest to move to the United States, but the other members had no way of accomplishing that, having stable lives on their home country. Thus, an American incarnation of Angel Witch was born. It was composed of Heybourne, bassist Jon Torres (

Lȧȧz Rockit Lȧȧz Rockit was an American thrash metal band formed in San Francisco, California, in 1981. They are most notable for their association with the Bay Area thrash metal scene of the 1980s, and they are considered to be one of the scene's so ca ...

, Ulysses Siren), drummer

Tom Hunting Thomas Hunting (born April 10, 1965) is an American musician. He is the drummer and only remaining original member of the thrash metal band Exodus. Career Hunting is the only original member of Exodus left, although he departed from the ban ...

(

Exodus Exodus or the Exodus may refer to: Religion * Book of Exodus, second book of the Hebrew Torah and the Christian Bible * The Exodus, the biblical story of the migration of the ancient Israelites from Egypt into Canaan Historical events * Ex ...

) and guitarist Doug Piercy ( Heathen, Anvil Chorus). This line-up functioned quite well, and soon the band had booked a fair number of shows throughout the US. However, it was found that Heybourne had some pending issues regarding immigration, and he was arrested one day before the first concert of the band. Without Heybourne, Angel Witch was soon dissolved.

New lineup in 2000s and 2010s

After the release of the ''Resurrection'' compilation in 2000, the band intended to play together once more, but after a series of internal conflicts, Heybourne assembled yet another line-up, with new members. They were on the bill for the traditional

Orange Goblin Orange Goblin is a heavy metal band from London, England. Formed in 1995, the band's lineup currently consists of singer Ben Ward, guitarist Joe Hoare, drummer Chris Turner, and bassist Harry Armstrong. History Orange Goblin was originally f ...

Christmas show at The

Camden Underworld Camden Underworld is a music venue in Camden Town, London, England. The venue is a part of the World's End pub, situated in the basement of the building. It has a capacity of 500 people. History Over the years The Underworld has become th ...

, London, on Saturday 20 December 2008. In 2009, their eponymous song "Angel Witch" was featured on the soundtrack of the action-adventure videogame, ''

Brütal Legend ''Brütal Legend'' is an action-adventure video game with real-time strategy game elements created by Double Fine and published by Electronic Arts for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game was released during October 2009 in North America, ...

''. In 2011, Angel Witch entered in the studio to record their fourth studio album, entitled ''As Above, So Below''. It was recorded with Kevin Heybourne on guitar and vocals, Will Palmer on the bass guitar, Bill Steer on the guitar, and Andrew Prestidge on the drums. They also returned to playing live, with a second stage headline slot at

Bloodstock Open Air Bloodstock Open Air is a British heavy metal festival held annually at Catton Hall in Walton-on-Trent, Derbyshire, since 2005. Originally held indoors for one day with two stages, the festival started in 2001 at the Derby Assembly Rooms and h ...

in 2011. One-time Angel Witch bassist Jon Torres died on 3 September 2013 of a reported heart failure. He was 51 years old. The band continues to tour and play festivals. On 30 August 2019, the band released a new single, 'Don't Turn Your Back', which subsequently debuted at number 17 on the Kerrang! Rock Chart before rising to 14 in its second and final week.

Legacy

Angel Witch have been claimed as an influence by many notable metal musicians, including

Dave Mustaine David Scott Mustaine (born September 13, 1961) is an American musician. He is the co-founder, lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and primary songwriter of the thrash metal band Megadeth, as well as their sole consistent member. Mustaine has relea ...

( Megadeth) who graced the February 2010 cover of Decibel magazine wearing an Angel Witch shirt,

Tom G. Warrior Thomas Gabriel Fischer (born 19 July 1963), also known by his stage names of Tom G. Warrior and Satanic Slaughter, is a Swiss metal musician. He led the groups Hellhammer and Celtic Frost, and today is the frontman of the band Triptykon. Caree ...

( Celtic Frost), and

Chuck Schuldiner Charles Schuldiner (born May 13, 1967 – December 13, 2001) was an American musician. He founded the death metal band Death in 1983, in which he was the lead vocalist, guitarist, primary songwriter and only consistent member until his death in ...

(

Death Death is the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain an organism. For organisms with a brain, death can also be defined as the irreversible cessation of functioning of the whole brain, including brainstem, and brain ...

). Bands that have covered Angel Witch songs in concert or on record include

Trouble Trouble may refer to: Film and television * ''Trouble'' (1922 film), an American silent comedy-drama film directed by Albert Austin * ''Trouble'' (1933 film), a British comedy film * ''Trouble'' (1977 film), a Soviet drama film * ''Trouble'' ...

("Confused" live), Six Feet Under ("Confused" on ''

Graveyard Classics ''Graveyard Classics'' is a cover album by American death metal band Six Feet Under. It includes cover versions of such classic rock hits as "TNT" by AC/DC, "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple, and "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix. It is the b ...

''), Blood Curse ("Angel Witch" on their debut album "Sorceress"),

Onslaught Onslaught may refer to: Characters * Onslaught (Marvel Comics), a Marvel Comics supervillain * Onslaught (DC Comics), a DC Comics team of Quraci terrorists * Onslaught (Transformers), the leader of the Combaticons in the ''Transformers'' series ...

("Confused" on '' In Search of Sanity''), Skull Fist ("Angel Witch" live), Battle Ram ("Angel Witch" on the ''Smash the Gates'' EP),

S.A. Slayer S.A. Slayer, originally known as Slayer, was an American heavy metal band formed in San Antonio, Texas, in 1981 by the former Blitzkrieg (not to be confused with the UK band Blitzkrieg) guitar duo Robert "Bob Dog" Catlin and Art Villarreal, ba ...

("Dr. Phibes" & "Angel Witch" live)

("Angel of Death" on '' Blood In, Blood Out'' as bonus track) and Amazing Maze, which is a one off album by Italian Power Metal band

Labyrinth In Greek mythology, the Labyrinth (, ) was an elaborate, confusing structure designed and built by the legendary artificer Daedalus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos. Its function was to hold the Minotaur, the monster eventually killed by t ...

under a different name ("Angel Witch"). In 2007, German label Unbroken Records issued a ''Tribute to Angel Witch'' compilation album featuring 15 underground metal acts covering songs from the band's early singles and first three full-length releases.

Members

Current members *Kevin Heybourne – lead guitar, lead vocals (1976–1981, 1982–1983, 1984–1990, 1997–1998, 2000–2001, 2002–2003, 2008–present) *Will Palmer – bass (2008–present) *Jimmy Martin – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2015–present) *Fredrik Jansson – drums (2016–present)

Discography

Studio albums

*''

'' (1980) *'' Screamin' 'n' Bleedin''' (1985) *''

Frontal Assault The military tactic of frontal assault is a direct, full-force attack on the front line of an enemy force, rather than to the flanks or rear of the enemy. It allows for a quick and decisive victory, but at the cost of subjecting the attackers to ...

'' (1986) *''

As Above, So Below "As above, so below" is a popular modern paraphrase of the second verse of the '' Emerald Tablet'' (a compact and cryptic Hermetic text first attested in a late eighth or early ninth century Arabic source), as it appears in its most widely divul ...

'' (2012) *'' Angel of Light'' (2019)

Live albums

*''Angel Witch Live'' (1990) *''2000: Live at the LA2'' (2000) *''Angel of Death: Live at East Anglia Rock Festival'' (2006) *''Burn the White Witch - Live in London'' (2009)

Compilations

*''

'' (1980) *''Doctor Phibes'' (1986) *''Screamin' Assault'' (1988) *''Resurrection'' (1998) *''Sinister History'' (1999)

Extended plays and singles

*"Sweet Danger" (single) (1980) *''Sweet Danger'' (EP) (1980) *"Angel Witch" (single) (1980) *"Loser" (single) (1981) *"Goodbye" (single) (1985) *''They Wouldn't Dare'' (EP) (2004) *"Don't Turn Your Back" (single) (2019)

References

External links

Angel Witch official Facebook pageAngel Witch - Metal Blade Records artist pageAngel Witch at NWOBHM.com
{{Authority control English heavy metal musical groups Musical groups established in 1976 Musical groups disestablished in 1981 Musical groups reestablished in 1982 Musical groups disestablished in 1982 Musical groups reestablished in 1984 Musical groups disestablished in 1998 Musical groups reestablished in 2003 Musical groups disestablished in 2005 Musical groups reestablished in 2008 Musical groups from London Musical quartets New Wave of British Heavy Metal musical groups 1976 establishments in England Bronze Records artists Metal Blade Records artists EMI Records artists