Today in 1984 Witchfynde released the album Lord Of Sin Mansfield, England NWOBHM Status:Active Years active: 1973-1984, 1999-present UK act WITCHFYNDE can trace its roots back to 1973, when Montalo (guitars) and Gra Scoresby (drums), hooked up with each other for the first time. They were both in other bands at the time, but soon started to discuss forming an outfit of their own. Witchfynde was formed around the middle of the 1970s, with Steve Bridges (vocals) and Andro Coulton (bass) eventually taking the vacant slots in the line-up. At the tail end of the 70s the band made their début as a live act, and they secured an opening slot for Thin Lizzy for their very first live performance. Extensive gigging following this initial concert secured the band a fanbase, and also brought in much needed cash that made it possible to hit the recording studio. Initially planned as an EP, their début album Give Em Hell was issued at the start of 1980 by newly formed Rondelet Records, a venture set up by local businessmen with a form belief in the band. A support slot for Def Leppard followed just after the album release, and later on they would open for all the most important bands in the now firmly established New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. Later in 1980 they would hit the live circuit headlining themselves, and their second album Stagefright was released towards the tail end of 1980 as well. By the looks of it, Witchfynde were going places and getting there fast. And just as the band seemed to establish themselves as a major act, things started to fall apart. Bassist Coulton left the band around the time Stagefright was recorded, and was replaced by Pete Surgey (bass). And then their record label withdrew their financial support, with vocalist Bridges deciding to leave the band as a direct consequence of these dire financial straits Witchfynde suddenly found themselves in. Their manager at the time, Ben Silks, was able to provide them with good legal help though, while Silks himself supported the band and kept their spirits up in these trying times. Eventually Luther Belz (vocals) joined the band, and they started recording tracks for their next album. And in 1983, as their legal troubles were more or less resolved, the band signed for Expulsion Records and released their third full length effort Cloak and Dagger. Unfortunately their new label went bankrupt shortly after, and due to this the promotional efforts made for their latest production were as good as non-existent. Surgey decided to quit the band shortly after, and was replaced by Edd Wolfe (bass). This new line-up hit the recording studio of Phil Chilton, a firm supporter of the band who had made his studio available to them also for their previous effort. And after spending almost a year in the studio, Witchfynde had enough material ready for a new album. They were signed by Belgian label Mausoleum Records at this stage, and in 1984 Lords of Sin was released. But once again events began to unravel for this much tested band. Wolfe left just after the album was released, and was replaced by Al Short (bass). Next up was a negative reception by the music press for their latest effort, and not long after Mausoleum Records, like their previous label, went bankrupt. Without a label, with two albums out in two years that basically didnt get promotion and without any positive vibes surrounding the band the members decided that it was time to investigate other possibilities. For the next decade or so the band was on an extended hiatus. However, rising interest in Witchfynde towards the end of the 90s, first with a Best Of compilation issued in 1996, and then the growing interest in bands active in the NWoBHM movement on the internet, lead to Montalo, Scoresby and Belz hooking up again in 1999 to discuss the possibilities of reviving their old band. Old bassist Surgey soon hooked up as well. Belz eventually decided that he wanted to explore other options though, and was replaced by Harry Harrison (vocals). This new line-up hit the studio soon after. 17 years after their previous effort a new album was ready to be issued, and in 2001 Edgy Records released The Witching Hour. Witchfynde toured in Germany, Holland, Sweden and even the US in support of this album, and while the heyday of their brand of metal was over at this point in time the interest was strong enough for Witchfynde to continue on as a going concern. Their back catalogue was made available in CD format on various labels over the next few years, a new Best Of collection was assembled in 2007. And in 2008 a new studio effort, Play It to Death, surfaced as well. Towards the end of 2008 Harrison was forced to leave the band due to health reasons, which lead to Luther Belz (vocals) rejoining Witchfynde. This line-up has remained stable ever since, and while no new album is currently on the horizon Witchfynde has continued as a live act throughout 2009, and have lined up a handful of selected concerts for the first half of 2010 as well. Mausoleum Records Luther Beltz Vocals Montalo Guitars Edd Wolfe Bass Gra Scoresby Drums 1. The Lord of Sin (6:32) 2. Stab in the Back (4:55) 3. Heartbeat (5:51) 4. Scarlet Lady (4:13) 5. Blue Devils (3:37) 6. Hall of Mirrors (5:08) 7. Wall of Death (3:42) 8. Conspiracy (3:49) 9. Red Garters (1:17 The first 10,000 copies included a bonus live 12 called Anthems: 1. Cloak and Dagger [6;06] 2. Id Rather Go Wild [4:48] 3. Moon Magic [4:07] 4. Give em Hell [4:30] Released on CD in 1994 by Mausoleum (Classix Series). Reissued in 2002 by Mausoleum (The 20th Anniversary Series) with 4 bonus tracks from Anthems EP: 10. Cloak and Dagger 06:06 11. Id Rather Go Wild 04:48 12. Moon Magic 04:07 13. Give Em Hell 04:30 On this reissue track Conspiracy was divided into 2 parts (3:49 + 1:17), and 2nd part was named Red Garters on the backcover. In fact, short instrumental track Red Garters has been omitted. https://youtube/watch?v=lS7OTWaAQvE
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 20:43:03 +0000
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