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)
Sweet Danger
Angel Witch Lyrics
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When you´re getting pushed off you´re thinking this is gonna be the end,
You keep on falling, keep on falling till you awake
Sweet danger, sweet danger
Sweet danger, sweet danger
Trying to get away from, something drives you out whereever you go,
Please wake up, please wake up, you´ll have an attack
Sweet danger, sweet danger
Sweet danger, sweet danger
When you´re there nightly and you ought to know the end of the scene,
You got to get up somehow, till you realise it´s only a dream,
Please wake up, please wake up, it´s only a dream
Sweet danger, sweet danger
Sweet danger, sweet danger
The lyrics to Angel Witch's song "Sweet Danger" are evocative and vivid, creating images of falling, peril, and a surreal and terrifying dreamworld. The first verse describes a person standing on the fifth floor of a block, unable to resist the urge to edge closer and closer even as they fear being pushed off. The second verse expands upon this feeling of being driven out, of trying to escape a danger that seems to follow no matter where they go. The repeated refrain of "sweet danger" suggests a tantalizingly seductive quality to this fear, luring the singer ever closer to the edge of disaster.
The third verse seems to offer a glimmer of hope, with the dreamworld setting that provides some distance from the real-life danger. However, the fear is so potent that even in the dream state it takes hold and threatens to become an attack. The final repetition of "sweet danger" underscores the idea that this fear cannot be escaped or eluded, that it exerts its hold even in the realm of dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
On the fifth storey block you can´t seem to keep away from the edge,
You find yourself dangerously close to the edge of a tall building.
When you´re getting pushed off you´re thinking this is gonna be the end,
As you fall, you fear that this is the end of your life.
You keep on falling, keep on falling till you awake
You fall in your dream until you wake up.
Trying to get away from, something drives you out wherever you go,
You feel compelled to run away from something, no matter where you are.
The harder you try the more your legs don´t want to know,
The more you try to escape, the harder it becomes to move.
Please wake up, please wake up, you´ll have an attack
You beg to wake up from the dream to avoid the stress and anxiety it causes you.
When you´re there nightly and you ought to know the end of the scene,
Even though you experience this dream often, you still fear the outcome.
You got to get up somehow, till you realise it´s only a dream,
You must force yourself to wake up to remind yourself that it is just a dream.
Sweet danger, sweet danger
The dangerous situation you experience in your dream is bittersweet in some way.
Sweet danger, sweet danger
The lyrics repeat to emphasize the allure of the danger in your dreams.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KEVIN HEYBOURNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind