Angel Witch: Британдық хэви метал тобының тарихы

English heavy metal band

Angel Witch are a British heavy metal band which formed in London in 1976. Despite never achieving major success, they are known for being integral part of the early 1980s new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) movement, and have been acknowledged as an influence by many bands of the then emerging thrash, speed, doom and extreme metal genres. Angel Witch have released five studio albums to date, and have undergone numerous lineup changes throughout its 48 year career, leaving frontman and lead guitarist Kevin Heybourne as the only constant member.

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.

Angel Witch's first song to achieve mainstream popularity was "Baphomet", which was included on a compilation titled Metal for Muthas. This song drew a fair amount of attention to the band, and they eventually signed a recording deal with EMI. 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. 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 with their Keep on Believing 7" in 1983.

In 1980, Bronze Records picked up the band and they soon proceeded to record and release their debut album, self titled Angel Witch.

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, Ulysses Siren), drummer Tom Hunting (Exodus) 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.

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 Christmas show at The Camden Underworld, 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. 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 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.

Angel Witch have been cited as an influence by many notable metal bands, including Metallica, Venom, Slayer, Anthrax, Testament, Celtic Frost, Death, Candlemass and Megadeth, Bands that have covered Angel Witch songs in concert or on record include Trouble ("Confused" live), Six Feet Under ("Confused" on Graveyard Classics), Blood Curse ("Angel Witch" on their debut album "Sorceress"), Onslaught ("Confused" on In Search of Sanity), Skull Fist ("Angel Witch" live), Battle Ram ("Angel Witch" on the Smash the Gates EP), S. A. Slayer ("Dr. Phibes" & "Angel Witch" live), Exodus ("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 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.