Metal School - Angel Witch

Being lucky enough to have been growing up in London just as the NWOBHM was building and peaking, I can confirm you are absolutely spot on when it comes to poor management being the #1 reason why this amazing band never made it. I can tell you their gigs were hard-core mayhem - even more so than those of another London band, Iron Maiden. I distinctly remember seeing Kevin’s Dad, sitting there at the merchandising table in his sports jacket, shirt and tie etc. Lovely guy, but bless him, clearly no experience of the music business. So whilst Smallwood took Maiden on to world domination, Angel Witch tragically slowly sank from sight. The loss of Kevin Riddles was another blow for whilst Heybourne was the centre of the band with his song-writing, vocals and guitar-playing, Riddles was a fantastic front-man in the live environment. Exhorting and leading the crowd both in between and within songs, he was at least the equal of Dianno and then Dickinson, his loss to the band was massively underrated. Unfortunately terrible management and advice seems to have continued to have plagued the band to this day with gigs (such as they) being poorly publicised, if at all. Yet despite everything, as someone lucky enough to have been there in London at the time, when I see or hear the term NWOBHM, the first band that ALWAYS comes into my head is Angel Witch!

Omg..I'm getting old. Angel Witch, Venom, EF Band, Praying Mantis, Demon, Samson, Trespass, Dark Star and Diamond Head were the shit back then!

First found out about this band from playing Brutal Legend back in the day. The "Angel Witch" song was one of my favorite tracks on that soundtrack.

In my humble opinion their debut was the best NWOBHM album, killer riffs and vocals a true metal classic. Got to meet Kevin Riddles and Kevin Heybourne some years ago and they are truly nice guys. Heybourne is a rare talent, a shame he never got through recognition he deserved. Incidentally the As Above So Below album is almost a follow on from the debut back to the old days. Those who haven't heard it please do you won't be disappointed

I remember living in Germany and buying the first Angelwitch album when it came out. Amazing band. Should’ve been up there with Iron Maiden , Saxon and Judas Priest.

Angel Witch's debut is my favorite among the NWOBHM era. Overall it's one of my favorite albums period!!!

Screamin n Bleeding and Frontal Assault are two of the most criminally unknown overlooked albums in music history…..!!!

The 70ies and 80ies was a glorious time for Hardrock and Metal. Wish back these times sooo often. And another great journey back in history. Many thanks.

Absolutely love Angel Witch. Every album is fantastic. It's crazy how many NWOBHM acts are still releasing great material: Angel Witch, Saxon, Cloven Hoof, Satan, and Quartz all come to mind.

Arguably the very first NWOBHM band

The self-titled debut is my favorite new wave of British heavy metal album. Second greatest metal debut of all time behind bonded by blood. Greatest album of 1980 behind Heaven and Hell. "You're an Angel Witch".

I absolutely LOVE this band!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 that first album... soooooooo "Chef's kiss" EPIC!!

No way, just last night I was talking with my friend and I told him I hope Metal School makes an episode about Angel Witch, then in the morning he tells me you uploaded this! My favorite band of all time, no contest! Two of the latest albums have songs from the early 80's, part of the reason why that sound is captured so well, 4 songs on As Above So Below and two on Angel of Light. Some of them were circulated in tape trading from old recordings, but a lot of people hadn't heard of em before these albums if it wasn't live back in the day.

No matter how much BS I had to endure during the day, a notification of a new Metal School video always cheers me up right away, especially when it's about a band I love. Don't ever change, my friend! Hope one day you'll get to The Rods as well!

I remember discovering this band in the 90s... I couldn't believe how amazing they were, the first album is legendary!

Saw them at Stafford Bingley Hall in 1980 along with Motörhead, Saxon, Girlschool , Vardis and a few others.

Fuck ya. Angel Witch!!! Dude. I just love your channel. Kevin Heybourne is a NWOBHM icon.

Nice work, I enjoy your documentaries. I did rank their discography myself. A huge fan of the band, especially that amazing debut.

Angel Witch deserved so much more. Few bands make it out of the line-up change mess that they experienced and maintain much success. I'm glad Metal Blade picked them up and they had a sort of renaissance - much like another cult favourite, Cirith Ungol, would experience more recently. Thanks for the really informative video, always love these!

Screaming and Bleeding is my favorite Angel Witch album, despite the production. Dave Tattum's vocals are great, the songs are very memorable, the guitar work and riffing is top notch. The more melodic take worked for this band.