Angel Witch

Angel Witch is a british heavy metal band which was assembled in 1977. They were part of the NWOBHM movement together with bands such as Iron Maiden and Saxon.

Biography

The band was founded under the name of Lucifer and initially comprised of guitarist and vocalist Kevin Heybourne, guitarist Bob Downing, bassist Kevin Riddles and drummer Dave Hogg. Their name was switched to Angel Witch on the following year, when Bob Downing left the band.

Angel Witche's first song to archieve mainstream popularity was Baphomet, which was included on a compilation entitled Metal for Muthas. This song drew a fair amount of attention to the band, and they eventually signed a recording deal with EMI Records. However, the deal was soon cancelled, due to the bad performace of their first single released under the EMI label, which was entitled Sweet Danger and lasted a single week on british top charts.

On 1980, Bronze Records picked up the band and they soon proceeded to record and release their debut album, self-titled Angel Witch. This album is considered one of the best examples of what the NWOBHM consisted, but subsequet to the album's release, the band's structur began to fall apart. Kevin Riddles and Dave Hogg left the band to join Tytan, and despit Heybourne's attempts to continue the band with other musicians, he declared the end of the band and began playing with Deep Machine.

The band was brought back 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 together with bassist Jerry Cunningham. This line-up lasted a very short time, as Marsden's voice didn't 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 ended, and Heybourne moved to Blind Fury. In 1984, Angel Witch was once more brought to life, this time woth the help of bassist Peter Gordelier, singer Dave Tattum and with Dave Hogg returning to the drums. This line-up recorded the album Screamin' N' Bleedin'. Dave Hogg left the band once more, but not without many snide remarks from the band's fans. He was replaced by Spencer Hollman. With the new drummer they recorded Frontal Assault, which deviated heavily from Angel Witche's previous albums, having many melodic elements.

Dave Tattum left the band on the same year and for a few years Angel Witch played as a trio on sporadic live performaces. In 1989, Angel Witch recorded a new live album, entitled simply Live – not to be mistaken with the band Live.

Heybourne decided that it would be good for the band to move to the USA, 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 (from Laaz Rockit), drummer Tom Hunting and guitarist Doug Piercy. This line-up up worked quite well, and soon the band had booked quite a few shows throughout the USA. However, it was found that Heybourne had some pending issues regarding immigration, and was arrested one day before the first concert from the band. The band was soon dissolved.

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 fresh line-up. As of 2001, the band is still active, even though in a silent manner.

Discography

• Angel Witch (1980)
• Loser (EP, 1981)
• '82 Revisited (Live, 1982)
• Screamin' and Bleedin' (1985)
• Frontal Assault (1986)
• Live (Live, 1990)
• Resurrection (2000)
• 2000: Live At The LA2 (Live, 2000)