WITCHFYNDE Stagefright lp NWOBHM heavy metal venom saxon raven jaguar satan

$

29

Brand new, sealed LP. 
Witchfynde - Stagefright  LP

High Roller Records, black vinyl, 425gsm heavy cardboard cover, insert, ltd 300, poster, Remastered and restored by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY in March 2024. When Nottinghamshire’s Witchfynde, originally conceived as long ago as 1975, issued their debut album »Give ‘Em Hell« on Rondelet Records in 1980, they quickly became one of the most popular bands of the exploding NWOBHM movement. After a few headlining shows, Steve Bridges (vocals), Montalo (guitars), Andro Coulton (bass) and Gra Scoresby (drums) hooked up with unlikely tour associates Def Leppard for a successful series of dates in the UK. However, all was not well in the Witchfynde camp when it became time to work on the follow-up to »Give ‘Em Hell« towards the end of 1980. Original bass player Andro Coulton explains: “»Stagefright« wasn't a great time for me. I recorded the bass on three of the songs, ‘Wake Up Screaming’, ‘In The Stars’ and ‘Wouldn't Be Seen Dead In Heaven’, but I left the band before any more songs were recorded. It got worse afterwards as I found out that I was not ever acknowledged as playing on the album sleeve notes. Also they released a single ‘In The Stars’ and ‘Wake Up Screaming’ with Pete Surgey's (new bass player) face on it!” It's fair to say that »Stagefright« was indeed a departure from the heavy occult rock leanings of »Give ‘Em Hell« following a rather more lightweight direction with accessible compositions such as “Trick Or Treat”, “Moon Magic”, “Big Deal” or the outright ballad “Madeleine”. However, being described as “semi-pop” by critics such as NWOBHM expert Malc Macmillan did not really do the album justice. Canadian author Martin Popoff, however, sees the album in a different light (in his book »The Collector’s Guide To Heavy Metal«): “Strange, endearing, bumbling, but when all is said and done, »Stagefright« becomes the best Witchfynde album of all, due to a vibe that is humble and true, due to music that makes no attempt to hide the personalities behind props. It is an enigmatic English oddity, a mistake that works.” »Stagefright« has clearly grown in stature of the years, being totally different to »Give ‘Em Hell«, the second Witchfynde album (and the last to feature original vocalist Steve Bridges) has attracted generations of new fans. As a result, this long overdue top-class re-issue will put a few smiles on the faces of the denim and leather clad army of headbanging NWOBHM aficionados. MATTHIAS MADER 01. Stagefright 02. Doing the Right Thing 03. Would Not Be Seen Dead in Heaven 04. Wake Up Screaming 05. Big Deal 06. Moon Magic 07. In the Stars 08. Trick or Treat 09. Madeline


Imported from Germany's HIGH ROLLER RECORDS. 

--

Witchfynde - Stagefright  LP
Witchfynde is a British heavy metal band formed in 1973, and they are one of the early pioneers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement. They are recognized for their occult-inspired lyrics, dark atmosphere, and their fusion of traditional heavy metal with a mystical and sometimes progressive edge. Witchfynde's music stood out in the NWOBHM scene due to its slower tempos, eerie atmospheres, and occult themes, which later earned them a cult following, especially among fans of proto-doom metal and dark rock.
Band Overview Formation and Early Years: Witchfynde was formed in Derbyshire, England, by guitarist Montalo (Trevor Taylor) and bassist Andro Coulton. The band went through several lineup changes in the early years, with vocalist Steve Bridges being the most notable frontman during their classic era. Musical Style: Witchfynde's sound is a blend of traditional heavy metal with a touch of progressive rock and a strong focus on dark, mystical themes. They frequently incorporated slow, brooding riffs and eerie melodies that gave their music a distinctive atmospheric quality compared to the faster, more aggressive NWOBHM bands. The occult themes in their lyrics set them apart, making them forerunners of what would later influence bands in the doom metal and black metal scenes. Occult and Mystical Themes: Much of their lyrical content revolves around occultism, magic, and dark supernatural forces, which gave their image an aura of mystery. This focus on dark themes was somewhat unique in the NWOBHM scene at the time. Key Albums Give 'Em Hell (1980) – Witchfynde’s debut album is widely regarded as a classic in the NWOBHM genre. It features tracks like "Give 'Em Hell" and "Leaving Nadir," which showcase their heavy riffing and dark, brooding atmosphere. Stagefright (1980) – Released later in the same year as their debut, Stagefright continues the band’s occult themes but introduces more melody and a slightly more polished production. Standout tracks include "Moon Magic" and "In the Stars." Cloak and Dagger (1983) – This album marked a shift towards a more straightforward heavy metal sound, with less focus on occult themes and more traditional metal anthems like "I’d Rather Go Wild" and "The Divine Victim." The Witching Hour (2001) – After a long hiatus, Witchfynde returned with The Witching Hour, which revisited their early sound and themes, proving their staying power in the metal world. Sound and Influence Proto-Doom Metal: Witchfynde’s slower, darker sound and mystical themes are often considered precursors to the doom metal genre. Occult Rock: Their focus on occult and magical themes aligns them with other early "occult rock" bands, such as Black Sabbath. NWOBHM Legacy: Despite never achieving the commercial success of bands like Iron Maiden or Saxon, Witchfynde's cult status within the NWOBHM movement has remained strong due to their unique lyrical themes and atmospheric approach to heavy metal. Legacy While Witchfynde did not attain the mainstream popularity of some of their NWOBHM peers, their influence on later metal genres, particularly doom and black metal, cannot be understated. Their dark, occult-themed music, combined with heavy, brooding riffs, was ahead of its time and helped pave the way for the darker aspects of metal that would emerge in the late 1980s and beyond.
50 Similar Artists: Angel Witch Satan Cloven Hoof Venom Quartz Diamond Head Raven Blitzkrieg Jaguar Holocaust Grim Reaper Tygers of Pan Tang Praying Mantis Demon Tokyo Blade Savage Witchfinder General Tank Samson Fist Warfare Saxon White Spirit Chateaux Witch Cross Manilla Road Legend Avenger Virtue Rogue Male Exciter Heavy Load Battleaxe Riot Grave Digger Omen Brocas Helm Cirith Ungol Armored Saint Dark Star Tyrant Stormwitch Hell Savage Grace Hellion Destructor Saracen Jag Panzer Hallow’s Eve Running Wild Witchfynde’s legacy continues to be celebrated among fans of classic heavy metal, especially those drawn to the darker, occult side of the genre. Their sound, steeped in mysticism and atmosphere, helped pave the way for more extreme metal genres in the years that followed