Released during the heady days of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) in 1980, the debut album by Angel Witch is still spoken of in hushed tones today standing proudly alongside the early releases by Iron Maiden, Saxon, Def Leppard and Diamond Head as innovators and flag wavers of the whole movement.
Alongside his current band Tytan, original Angel Witch bassist Kevin “Skids” Riddles, has created Kev Riddles’ Baphomet with the one aim of performing the music which he recorded whilst a member of Angel Witch.
With members of fellow NWOBHM stalwarts, Tygers Of Pan Tang and Spartan Warrior in amongst the crowd, anticipation was running high for an evening of unbridled, old school British Heavy Metal.
Riddles delivered and then some. Not only did we get every song from the classic self-titled debut album but a whole host of B-sides and compilation album exclusives too, meaning, bar one or two songs, everything Riddles recorded with Angel Witch.
Playing the album out of sequence, interspersed by non-album tracks, meant a well-paced, dynamic set which delivered the knockout blow right at the end.
Instrumental “Devil’s Tower” opened the show hotly followed by “Baphomet”, the song that launched their career on the legendary Metal For Muthas compilation.
The piledriving “Sweet Danger” saw drummer Magpie relentlessly pounding his kit while the grinding riff of “Angel Of Death” cut a swathe of devastation which blew Riddles’ bass amp leading to a cry for help and fortunately a spare was at hand to continue the riff-fest.
It wasn’t all dark lyrics of doom and destruction though as Riddles spent much of the time between songs bantering with the crowd, especially when guitarist Chris Borsberry, nipped through the audience for a quick loo break, much to the mirth of the rest of the band. The camaraderie between the band was clear to see, they were having a blast and that fed into the enthusiastic crowd too.
Rarities such as single “Loser” and B-side “Flight Nineteen”, getting its first ever live airing sent the long-time devotees into raptures.
The dramatic “Sorceress” and “Free Man” showed some real class, with vocalist Tony Coldham’s range and power coming into their own while Borsberry delivered THAT solo in “Free Man” with the passion and precision it deserved. Outstanding.
How could they possibly follow that? Just as well that they saved “Angel Witch” until the end and what an absolute banger of a song it is and one rightly considered as one of the genuine jewels in the crown of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal.
Review and Photos By Mick Burgess
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