The band was founded under the name of Lucifer and initially comprised guitarist and vocalist Kevin Heybourne, guitarist Rob Downing, bassist Kevin Riddles and drummer Steve Jones. Lucifer split and Steve Jones joined up with Bruce Dickinson to form Speed. The remnants of Lucifer became Angel Witch in the following year,when Dave Hogg joined on drums. Eventually Rob Downing left the band.
Angel Witch's first song to achieve 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. However, the deal was soon cancelled, due to the bad performance of their first single released under the EMI label which was entitled Sweet Danger and lasted a single week in the British charts.
In 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 most notable from the NWOBHM, but subsequent to the album's release, the band's structure began to fall apart. Kevin Riddles and Dave Hogg left 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.
Angel Witch was brought back to activity in 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 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 ceased its activity 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, 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 one more time, 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 Witch's previous albums in having many melodic elements.
Dave Tattum left the band in the same year and for a few years Angel Witch played as a trio in sporadic live performances. In 1989, they recorded a new live album, entitled simply Live - not to be mistaken with the band Live.
Heybourne decided that it would be in the band's best interest 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 functioned quite well and soon the band had booked a fair amount of shows throughout the USA. 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. As of 2001 the band is still active even though they do not perform concerts frequently.
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)
Angel Witch
Angel Witch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fly high and touch the sky, you're the angel I adore
If only you could feel for me that I feel for you
Why do you ignore me, angel, why can't I go with you
You're an angel witch, you're an angel witch
You're an angel witch, you're an angel witch
Why can't you come and love me, do I have to stay this way
I'm going to go insane if nothing happens soon
I look out at the night to see your shadow by the moon
You're an angel witch, you're angel witch
You're an angel witch, you're angel witch
Walk through the forest I can feel that you're there
Why do you run away?
I'd never hurt you, I'd never hurt you
That's the last thing I'd do
You're an angel witch, you're an angel witch
You're an angel witch, you're an angel witch
The song "Angel Witch" by Angel Witch seems to be a love letter to an angelic figure who is the subject of the singer's affections. In the first stanza, the singer acknowledges that nobody else sees the angel in the same way that they do, as they express their adoration and longing to be with the angel. However, despite the singer's intense feelings towards the angel, they feel ignored and unable to be with them. The repetition of the title in each stanza highlights the singer's infatuation with the angel.
As the song progresses, the desperation intensifies, with the singer lamenting on the fact that the more love they feel for the angel, the more the angel seems to fade away. The singer is pleading for the angel to reciprocate their love and is becoming more and more unhinged in their desire for the angel. The imagery of looking out at the night to see the angel's shadow by the moon adds to the romantic and fantastical elements of the song.
Overall, the song captures the overwhelming emotions of falling in love with someone unattainable and desperate longing for them. The use of "angel witch" as a descriptor adds a supernatural element, suggesting that the angel may not be entirely human.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody else can see you the same way as myself
I have a special connection with you that nobody else can understand or replicate.
Fly high and touch the sky, you're the angel I adore
You are my ideal partner and I hold you in the highest esteem.
If only you could feel for me that I feel for you
I am deeply in love with you and wish that the feelings were mutual.
Why do you ignore me, angel, why can't I go with you
Despite my feelings for you, you seem uninterested and I am left feeling rejected and lost.
You're an angel witch, you're an angel witch
I see you as both an angel and a witch - a divine creature with a mysterious, powerful nature.
The more love I feel for you, the more you fade away
My love for you only seems to push you further away, and it hurts me deeply.
Why can't you come and love me, do I have to stay this way
I wish that you could reciprocate my feelings and we could be together, but it seems like a distant dream.
I'm going to go insane if nothing happens soon
The pain of unrequited love is becoming unbearable and I fear for my state of mind if nothing changes.
I look out at the night to see your shadow by the moon
I am constantly searching for any sign of you, even in the shadows and night sky.
Walk through the forest I can feel that you're there
I have a deep intuition that you are nearby, even when we are physically apart.
Why do you run away?
You seem to always avoid me or reject my advances, making me wonder what I've done wrong.
I'd never hurt you, I'd never hurt you
I want to assure you that I have pure intentions and would never do anything to harm you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KEVIN HEYBOURNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Seagull Rock Squawk
This album is a unique example of early Heavy Metal. 10 extra songs !
Almost gothic / romantic. Like an Edgar Allan Poe story.
Black Rat
an exquisite piece of art 🔥🔥