Seventh Angel

Seventh Angel
Seventh Angel in Blast of Eternity 2012.
Background information
Origin	Halesowen, West Midlands, United Kingdom
Genres	Christian metal Death metal Doom metal Thrash metal
Years active	1987–1992, 2008–present
Labels	Bombworks Records Under One Flag / Music For Nations
Associated acts	Ashen Mortality, My Silent Wake, Fire Fly, Detritus
Website	Seventh Angel
Members	Ian Arkley Andrew "Tank" Thompson Simon Bibby Mark Broomhead
Past members	(Full list)

Seventh Angel are a British Christian metal band that formed in 1987. The band was known for its combination of doom metal and thrash metal. According to Cross Rhythms magazine, they were considered to be thrash metal pioneers, and they released the albums The Torment (1990) and Lament for the Weary (1991). These records achieved mainstream distribution through Music for Nations label, making Seventh Angel label mates with such groups as Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth. Although Seventh Angel disbanded in 1992, "for a long time [they were considered to be] the best metal act in the UK", claims Cross Rhythms.The Daily Telegraph called Seventh Angel "one of the leading Christian thrash metal bands in Great Britain."

The band headlined the Metal Meltdown festival in 1990, played concerts in Germany and the Netherlands, and they were featured in both Channel 4 and BBC TV for several live performances of their Greenbelt festival concerts. The guitarist/vocalist Ian Arkley went to form the doom metal band Ashen Mortality. On 23 May 2008, the group announced their reforming. The current line-up consists of the original members Ian Arkley, Andrew "Tank" Thompson (drums), Simon Bibby (guitar), and Mark Broomhead (bass). On 24 June, the band released their third album The Dust of Years.

Seventh Angel was formed in 1987 by Ian Arkley and Andrew (Andi) Blount with Scott Rawson joining very soon afterwards. In August 1988, the first drummer Andrew Blount was replaced by Andy Hopkins who played with the band until December. For a brief period, Stuart Benton was trialled as vocalist but this was short-lived.