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)
Sorceress
Angel Witch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People said to me
That you've got long black hair
You are the sorceress
I've seen your castle
Oh take me there
And hold your wand up high
A star of spectrum
Dancing around your grave
I'm glad you're gone
Can your soul be saved
Go back to where you belong
You walk through the mountain side
Mysterious powers go passing by
A storm is coming near
A soft warm breeze blows through the trees
You're dead!
The lyrics of Angel Witch's song "Sorcerers" describes a walk in solitude, where the singer can sense the presence of a sorceress, whom he has heard several rumors about. The sorceress, according to the people, has long black hair and resides in a castle. The singer expresses his desire to see her castle and wants her to take her wand high up in the sky, which will turn into a star of spectrum and a rainbow sky.
The song portrays the singer's fear and fascination for the sorceress, as he also dances around her grave, happy that she is gone. However, he wonders if her soul can be saved and asks her to go back to where she belongs. The lyrics also depict the setting that surrounds the sorceress and gives the listener an insight into the mysterious powers that she holds. The mountain side, where she walks, is highlighted, and the wind carries a soft yet warm breeze through the trees, warning of a coming storm. The singer ends with the statement "You're dead!" leaving the listener to interpret the meaning behind it.
Line by Line Meaning
As I walk alone I can feel you there
I sense your presence even when I'm alone
People said to me
That you've got long black hair
Rumors say you have long, dark hair
You are the sorceress
You possess magical powers
I've seen your castle
Oh take me there
I've seen your castle and desire to visit
And hold your wand up high
A star of spectrum
A rainbow sky
I want to see you wield your wand to create a beautiful star-filled, rainbow sky
Dancing around your grave
I'm glad you're gone
Can your soul be saved
Go back to where you belong
I'm happy you're dead and hope you aren't saved, go back to where you came from
You walk through the mountain side
Mysterious powers go passing by
You're known for walking through the mountains with mysterious powers
A storm is coming near
A soft warm breeze blows through the trees
There's an impending storm and a warm breeze blows through the trees
You're dead!
You're already dead
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KEVIN HEYBOURNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind