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)
White Witch
Angel Witch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the black witches they tried to kill her
They tried to sacrifice and burn her soul in flames
Some unknown force came and freed her
Burn the white witch
Burn the white witch
They still smile when their own death is near
She has got more power than you will ever know
They tried to harm but it's too late
Burn the white witch
Burn the white witch
Standing by your shadow
You're eyes are full of tears
You cannot seem to unwind yourself
You have killed death and fear
Forever and ever we are free
Together forever for eternity
She died early this morning from the spells of the dead
Death had its own way and won
Now she can rest in peace and sleep inside her grave
She cannot be harmed anymore
Burn the white witch
Burn the white witch
The lyrics to Angel Witch's song White Witch tell the story of a female witch who seeks revenge on a group of black witches who tried to kill her. Despite their attempts to sacrifice and burn her soul in flames, some unknown force came and freed her. The chorus repeatedly declares "Burn the white witch," potentially alluding to the idea that the other witches are threatened by her power and seek to destroy her.
The second verse suggests that death itself might be smiling at the foolishness of those who seek to harm the white witch, and that she possesses a great deal of power. The third verse seems to shift perspective, describing someone who is standing by their shadow with eyes full of tears and unable to unwind themselves. Perhaps this person was involved in the witch's death, and they killed "death and fear" in the process. The song ends with the white witch's death, but the lyrics suggest that she is finally at rest and cannot be harmed anymore.
Overall, the lyrics to White Witch seem to paint a dark and mystical picture of witches and their powers - a common theme in heavy metal music.
Line by Line Meaning
In the middle of last night she went out to get her revenge
She sought revenge in the middle of the night for the wrongs done to her.
On the black witches they tried to kill her
The black witches tried to kill her.
They tried to sacrifice and burn her soul in flames
The black witches tried to sacrifice and burn her soul.
Some unknown force came and freed her
She was saved by an unknown force.
Burn the white witch
They want to burn the white witch.
Death bears a sickly smile. Will the fools ever learn
Death is a grim reality that people often ignore until it's too late.
They still smile when their own death is near
People often remain oblivious to their mortality until the last moment.
She has got more power than you will ever know
The white witch possesses a great deal of power.
They tried to harm but it's too late
The black witches' attempt to harm the white witch was unsuccessful.
Standing by your shadow
Being haunted by one's past mistakes and memories.
You're eyes are full of tears
One's sorrow and regret can be overwhelming.
You cannot seem to unwind yourself
One cannot escape from the stress and anxiety of their past.
You have killed death and fear
Overcoming one's fear of death gives a sense of empowerment.
Forever and ever we are free
Freedom can be achieved by overcoming one's fears and mistakes.
Together forever for eternity
The sense of freedom is everlasting and can be shared with those who have overcome their struggles.
She died early this morning from the spells of the dead
The white witch died from the curse of the black witches.
Death had its own way and won
Death succeeded in taking the white witch's life.
Now she can rest in peace and sleep inside her grave
The white witch can now rest in peace after the struggles of her life.
She cannot be harmed anymore
In death, the white witch is beyond the reach of harm.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KEVIN HEYBOURNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
bewalker25
What a guitar solo!!! Amazing feeling!!
Jamie Warrior Warlord McCallum
magic track from angel witch so dark. love this one the singers vocals on this one wow. #nwobhmforever
Highwayman
These guys f-ing ROCK, they were way ahead of there time. Should have been household names.
alexandru nae
amazing band!
Breno Raphaldini
Best NWOBHM album ever!!!
Sickness During Period
this song it's a masterpiece,nothing more
Luis Arias
Awesome lyrics!
koeienboei
for some reason the solo is just too awesome :)
NightmareSnake
Of course, one could also argue that Judas Priest isn't NWOBHM, but is in fact Original Heavy Metal, along with Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple. Either way, awesome band.
NightmareSnake
@kamazaki it showed up in my notifications. YouTube evidently doesn't care how old it is when it comes to that.