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)
Evil Games
Angel Witch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When they are together they are happy
Little children with innocent smiles
Who knows what may hide behind them
The sadness in the eyes of old folk around them
The children's spiteful games
They don't know they're hurting
For God's sake, look about you
Evil games, evil games
They tie you up, they tear your heart in two
One day they love, the next they hate you
When you're not looking they'll be out at night
To wonder streets investigating
The sadness in the eyes of old folk around them
The children's spiteful games
They don't know they're hurting
Stop and look around you
For God's sake, look about you
Evil games, evil games
The sadness in the eyes of old folk around them
The children's spiteful games
They don't know they're hurting
Stop and look around you
For God's sake, look about you
Evil games, evil games
The song "Evil Games" by Angel Witch explores the idea of how innocence and evil can coexist in the same space. The first verse describes how the children may seem innocent and carefree, but there may be something sinister that they are hiding. The second verse takes a darker turn, describing how the children can be cruel and two-faced, hurting others while still appearing innocent in front of others. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the idea of the children's "evil games" and the need to be aware of the harm they may cause.
The lyrics are a commentary on human behavior, highlighting the idea that not everything is as it seems. The innocent children represent the façade that people often hide behind in order to gain the trust of others. Meanwhile, the sadness in the eyes of the old folk represents the damage that people can cause while still appearing innocent.
Overall, "Evil Games" is a cautionary tale, urging listeners to be aware of the darkness that may hide behind seemingly harmless exteriors.
Line by Line Meaning
They laugh and shout for everyone to see
When they are around their friends, they laugh and shout to show their joy
When they are together they are happy
Being around their friends keeps them happy and joyful
Little children with innocent smiles
Young kids who have sweet and naive expressions on their faces
Who knows what may hide behind them
One cannot be certain of their true intentions or what they might be hiding behind their innocence
The sadness in the eyes of old folk around them
Elderly people look sad and hopeless when they see the actions of the children
The children's spiteful games
The children play cruel and abusive games
They don't know they're hurting
The kids are unaware that their actions are causing harm
Stop and look around you
Observe your surroundings and notice the actions of others
For God's sake, look about you
For the sake of goodness, pay attention to what is happening around you
Evil games, evil games
These games are malicious and harmful
They tie you up, they tear your heart in two
The kids can be manipulative and cause deep emotional pain
One day they love, the next they hate you
Their feelings and attitudes can be unstable and unpredictable
When you're not looking they'll be out at night
They might do things under the veil of darkness to avoid getting caught
To wonder streets investigating
They will roam the streets wondering and examining what they can find
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: HEYBOURNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Solar Eagle
They laugh and shout for everyone to see
When they are together they are happy
Little children with innocent smiles
Who knows what may hide behind them
The sadness in the eyes of old folk around them
The children's spiteful games
They don't know they're hurting
Stop and look around you
For God's sake, look about you
Evil games, evil games
They tie you up, they tear your heart in two
One day they love, the next they hate you
When you're not looking they'll be out at night
To wonder streets investigating
The sadness in the eyes of old folk around them
The children's spiteful games
They don't know they're hurting
Stop and look around you
For God's sake, look about you
Evil games, evil games
The sadness in the eyes of old folk around them
The children's spiteful games
They don't know they're hurting
Stop and look around you
For God's sake, look about you
Evil games, evil games
🤘🤘🤘 A love to be saved from the world first🤘🤘🤘
Solar Eagle
They laugh and shout for everyone to see
When they are together they are happy
Little children with innocent smiles
Who knows what may hide behind them
The sadness in the eyes of old folk around them
The children's spiteful games
They don't know they're hurting
Stop and look around you
For God's sake, look about you
Evil games, evil games
They tie you up, they tear your heart in two
One day they love, the next they hate you
When you're not looking they'll be out at night
To wonder streets investigating
The sadness in the eyes of old folk around them
The children's spiteful games
They don't know they're hurting
Stop and look around you
For God's sake, look about you
Evil games, evil games
The sadness in the eyes of old folk around them
The children's spiteful games
They don't know they're hurting
Stop and look around you
For God's sake, look about you
Evil games, evil games
🤘🤘🤘 A love to be saved from the world first🤘🤘🤘
Jovana Vragec
what a wicked beginning, you can feel the evil coming!
Benjamin Blake Mitchner
Fantastic song! Angel Witch's music is incredible. Something transcendent of more than you'd ever believe. They are a classic New Wave Of British Heavy Metal band who grew and matured with time.
yesid beltran
Tremenda banda la estoy escuchando por primera vez y esta del putas,, ellos y iron maiden fueron los precursores de este genero esta muy bacano
Eddy Orión Sigüenza Quezada
i love angel witch
Panagiotis Vavvas
τεράστιο κομμάτι
Arcade Gangster
should have put this on the wraith soundtrack! !!!!!!!!!
Colin Morra
Mine too!
ˢᵃᶜʰᵗᵃ 🇦🇹
They laugh and shout for everyone to see ...
Rafael Pacheco
a gata curte