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)
Baphomet
Angel Witch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A faceless evil spirit that haunts
Searching for the soul that he must take
Steed of white he rides through the realms of unknown
He is only a messenger from hell
Scanning the oceans searching for victims to taunt
Looking for those who dare rise him from the grave
Angel of death
Angel of death
Angel of death
Riding along he cannot find those that he seeks
Yet he knows he is on the right trail
Breaking the circle, not knowing of the danger she's in
He takes her with him through stygian to hell
To hell
Scanning the oceans searching for victims to taunt
Looking for those who dare rise him from the grave
Angel of death
Angel of death
Angel of death
Angel of death
Suddenly I awake, looking 'round to see where I am
Realise it's been just a crazy dream
I open the door to find that he is waiting there
The angel of death has come to take my soul
My soul
Scanning the oceans searching for victims to taunt
Looking for those who dare rise him from the grave
Angel of death
Angel of death
Angel of death
Angel of death
The lyrics of Angel Witch's "Baphomet" describe a supernatural entity known as the "Angel of Death" who rides through the unknown realms searching for souls to take to hell. It is a faceless and evil spirit that haunts and taunts its victims, scanning the oceans for those who dare rise from the grave. The song depicts the singer's encounter with the angel of death, who takes him to hell and ultimately takes his soul.
Throughout the song, the imagery is dark and foreboding, with references to stygian (meaning dark or gloomy) and hell. The singer is portrayed as being helpless against the angel of death, who appears at his door waiting to take his soul. The lyrics suggest that the Angel of Death is a force to be reckoned with and that no one can escape its grasp.
The song is ultimately an exploration of the afterlife and the supernatural. It is a warning to those who dare to rise from the grave and to those who are not prepared to face the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Angel of death
The spiritual embodiment of death or an evil force that accompanies death.
A faceless evil spirit that haunts
A menacing and unidentified entity that causes terror and scares people.
Searching for the soul that he must take
Seeking the particular soul or being that must perish or face its end.
Steed of white he rides through the realms of unknown
The angel-like figure, often depicted riding a pale horse, passes through uncanny or mysterious regions beyond human understanding.
He is only a messenger from hell
The grim reaper is merely an agent or intermediary acting on behalf of the devil.
Scanning the oceans searching for victims to taunt
Looking over all places, the spectral being is in search of individuals to hunt down and terrorize.
Looking for those who dare rise him from the grave
Desire to find the audacious and brazen people who might summon and raise the dead.
Riding along he cannot find those that he seeks
Although he is always on the move, he never comes across those who are on his radar.
Yet he knows he is on the right trail
Nevertheless, the ominous figure has a surety that he is heading towards his intended quarry.
Breaking the circle, not knowing of the danger she's in
He interferes with the protections and safeguards that people might have in place, without realizing the perils and hazards of his actions.
He takes her with him through stygian to hell
He forcibly brings her to the dark and gloomy regions of hell, which is associated with the river Styx.
Suddenly I awake, looking 'round to see where I am
The artist wakes up abruptly from a disturbing dream, unsure of their location or surroundings.
Realise it's been just a crazy dream
They come to terms with the fact that their experience was just an irrational and illogical vision.
I open the door to find that he is waiting there
Upon opening the door, the person comes face to face with the angel of death or death himself, waiting outside.
The angel of death has come to take my soul
The ominous figure has come to claim and take away the singer's soul and life.
Scanning the oceans searching for victims to taunt
Still on the prowl, seeking individuals to mock and haunt.
Looking for those who dare rise him from the grave
Hunting those who summon or try to evoke the dead.
Angel of death
Reiterating the conceptualization of the spiritual agent of death.
Angel of death
Reiterating the conceptualization of the spiritual agent of death.
Angel of death
Reiterating the conceptualization of the spiritual agent of death.
Angel of death
Reiterating the conceptualization of the spiritual agent of death.
Writer(s): K. Heybourne
Contributed by Emily W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Discipulus-beleth
Heres the lyrics
Running away, don’t understand why, shelter me, got something outside
Its head is a goat, and it’s body a man
It’s casting out spells, demon of damned
See it!
Feel it!
Baphomet, wants you to be the one
Wants you to be his maiden, to give the devils son
Theres no point in tryn’a fight, cause you’re the chosen one
Baphomet!
Baphomet!
Baphomet!
Baphomet is gonna break your soul!
Oh oh no!
Oh oh no!
Oh oh no!
@HeidiLandRover
I remember buying Metal for Muthas because it had Iron Maiden on it, but when I heard this track my face melted!
@DRoberts-we2vg
Me too!!!
@jairomartinez-ortiz2553
Holy shit! this could possibly influenced Black Metal, bands like Venom and Bathory probelly have been influenced by this
@waldus6166
how come?
@marianvasile8193
Yes indeed angel witch first album was the most extreme form of metal before venom
@heavymetal9448
This may have been the start of Black metal
@garryl6594
Best spelling of probably ever!!
@leandro_oliveira_inhumane
Morbid Ange for exemple was totally influenced by Angelwitch, it is absolutely undeniable and evident
@guanyu5091
Soundgarden slowed the beginning riff down to make new damage.
@Thomas-fr1ym
Soundgarfen was still playing with g.i. joes when Angel Witch recorded this track.