Angel Witch

by Alex Henderson The British heavy metal rebirth of the late '70s and early '80s provided more than its share of impressive headbangers. A product of the scene that also gave the world Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Saxon, Girlschool, and Diamond Head, Angel Witch wasn't a huge commercial success in the U.S., but enjoyed a loyal underground following in England and Europe. This superb debut album was the band's finest hour. Melodic yet forceful and intense, classics like "Sorceress," "White Witch," and "Angel of Death" illustrate Angel Witch's artistic debt to fellow Britons Judas Priest, Rainbow, and Black Sabbath. The Londoners' lyrics are consistently gothic and underscore their interest in the occult, a subject that has caught the interest of more than a few metalheads. American headbangers who haven't experienced the pleasures of Angel Witch owe it to themselves to hear this metal classic. 2005 Re-issue On August 2 2005, the album was re-issued by Castle Records again labeled the 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition, with slightly different album cover. It also featured a remastered sound and an expanded booklet, as well as even more bonus tracks. In addition to the above six bonus tracks, it also included the following 4 tracks, recorded for the March 14, 1980 edition of the BBC's Friday Rock Show.