Angel Witch
Angel Witch are a British heavy metal band which formed in London in 1976, recognised as one of the pioneering groups of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM).
Originally established as Lucifer by guitarist and vocalist Kevin Heybourne, the band evolved through various line-ups before settling on the name Angel Witch in 1978, with Heybourne as the constant driving force. Their self-titled debut album, Angel Witch, released in 1980 by Bronze Records, is widely regarded as a seminal work in the NWOBHM genre, featuring the standout track of the same name, which gained significant airplay on BBC Radio 1's Friday Rock Show.
Despite critical acclaim, the band faced challenges with management and record label issues, leading to their initial disbandment in 1982. Angel Witch reformed in 1984 and have since experienced multiple hiatuses and line-up changes, with Heybourne leading the group through periods of renewed activity, including headline performances at festivals such as Bloodstock Open Air in 2009 and the release of their fifth studio album, Angel of Light, in 2019 via Metal Blade Records.
Mark Deming of AllMusic stated: "Like most of their peers, Angel Witch combined the basic lessons of Black Sabbath with the energy and speed of Motörhead." Known for their dark, melodic sound and occult-themed lyrics, Angel Witch remain a respected name in heavy metal circles. They have been acknowledged as an influence by many bands of the then-emerging thrash, speed, doom and extreme metal genres.
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