Angel Witch

Angel Witch
Angel Witch live 2010
Background information
Origin	London, England, UK
Genres	Heavy metal
Years active	1977–1982, 1984–1998, 2000–present
Labels	EMI, Bronze, Killerwatt, Metal Blade, Rise Above, Crook'd
Associated acts	Exodus, Heathen, Lääz Rockit, Blind Fury
Website	myspace.com/youranangelwitch
Members	Kevin Heybourne Will Palmer Jimmy Martin
Past members	Steve Coleman Rob Downing Barry Clements Steve Jones Kevin Riddles Dave Hogg Dave Dufort Ricky Bruce Jerry Cunningham Roger Marsden Peter Gordelier Dave Tattum Spencer Hollman Jon Torres Grant Dennison Tom Hunting Doug Piercy Lee Altus Darren Minter Chris Fullard Myk Taylor Richie Wicks Scott Highham Keith Herzberg Andrew Prestidge Bill Steer Tom Draper

Angel Witch are a British heavy metal band which formed in London, England in 1977 as part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement. Despite critical acclaim in the music press, their only UK chart action consisted of a single week at No. 75 (the lowest position in the charts) in 1980.

The band was formed, originally under the name of Lucifer, and was initially composed of guitarist and vocalist Kevin Heybourne, guitarist Rob Downing, drummer Steve Jones, and bassist Barry Clements. Lucifer split and Steve Jones joined up with Bruce Dickinson to form Speed. The remnants of Lucifer became Angel Witch, with the exceptions of Barry, who was replaced by Kevin Riddles, and Steve Jones, who was replaced by Dave Hogg. The following year Rob Downing left the band.

Angel Witch's first song to achieve mainstream popularity was "Baphomet", which was included on a compilation titled 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 canceled, due to manager Ken Heybourne refusing to hand Angel Witch over to professional management, and bad performance of their first single released under the EMI label, which was entitled Sweet Danger and lasted a single week on British top 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 new wave of British heavy metal, but subsequent to the album's release, the band's structure began to fall apart. The sacking of Dave Hogg, and Kevin Riddles leaving 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 on 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 did not fit the style of the band very well. He was fired from the band and Heybourne assumed the vocals once more.