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.
Angel Witch was founded under the name of Lucifer by Kevin Heybourne in 1976 and initially comprised of guitarist and vocalist Kevin Heybourne, guitarist Bob Downing, bassist Kevin Riddles and drummer Dave Hogg. Their name was switched to Angel Witch in 1978, when Bob Downing left the band.
On 1980, Bronze Records picked up the band and they soon proceeded to record and release their debut album, 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. This album also had an influence on speed metal. 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.
The band have split up and reformed many times over the years, with the line-up always revolving around founder and songwriter Kevin Heybourne. Originally split up after the debut album and reformed very briefly in 1982. Started again in 1984. Kevin Heybourne attempted to relocate the band to America in the 90s with a completely new band as none of the existing members would relocate. Passport problems prevented Heybourne from staying in the United States and the band split up again. Reformed again in 2003 but, disbanded again in 2004 or 2005. In 2008 Heybourne re-started the band yet again with another new line-up.
Band members[]
- Current members
- Kevin Heybourne - Guitars, Vocals (1978-1982, 1984-1998, 2000-present)
- Will Palmer - Bass (2009-present)
- Andy Prestridge - Drums (2009-present)
- Former members
- Kevin "Skids" Riddles - Bass (1978-1981)
- Dave Hogg - Drums (1978-1980, 1984-1985)
- Rob Downing - Guitars (1978)
- Dave Dufort - Drums (1980-1981)
- Jerry Cunningham - Bass (1982)
- Ricky Bruce - Drums (1982)
- Roger Marsden - Vocals (1982)
- Pete Gordelier - Bass, Vocals (1984-1987)
- Spencer Holman - Drums (1984-1986)
- Dave Tattum - Vocals (1984-1986)
- Jon Torres - Bass, Guitars (1989-1990)
- Grant Dennison - Guitars (1989-1990)
- Tom Hunting - Drums (1990-1993)
- Doug Piercy - Guitars (1990-1992)
- Lee Altus - Guitars (1993-1995)
- Darren Minter - Drums (1994-1998)
- Chris Fullard - Guitars (1996)
- Myk Taylor - Guitars (1996-1998)
- Richie Wicks - Bass, Vocals (2000-2002)
- Scott Higham - Drums (2000-2002)
- Keith Herzberg - Guitars (2000-2002)
- Touring members
- Tom Draper - Guitars, Backing Vocals (2013-present)
- Bill Steer - Guitars (2010-2013)
Discography[]
- Angel Witch (1980)
- Screamin' n' Bleedin' (1985)
- Frontal Assault (1986)
- As Above, So Below (2012)