To long-time diehard metal heads, the name WITCHFYNDE will certainly be familiar, even essential, if you are also devoted to the NWOBHM. Dual characteristics made this outfit stand out from the crowd: they were one of the very first bands to break to the surface at the rebirth of British Metal during the second half of the 70's a movement later better know as the New British Wave Of Heavy Metal - and moreover WITCHFYNDE also followed the path of the sinister and occult, the dark path paved by BLACK WIDOW and BLACK SABBATH, later revisited by DEMON, WITCHFINDER GENERAL, CLOVEN HOOF, VENOM and others.
WITCHFYNDE was born on Candlemass day, back in 1976, in Mansfield, UK, as the result of a union of the members of two school bands, starting to produce noise in 1974. Inspired by the early BLACK SABBATH, the band began their quest for a place on the British metal arena with energy, dedication and perseverance on their side. Although they arrived on the scene almost at the same time as the occurrence of the birth of the NHOBHM, which spawned bands like TYGERS OF PANG TANG, IRON MAIDEN, SAMSON, ANGEL WITCH, PRAYING MANTIS and dozens more, they never really felt part of that particular English musical explosion. Initially their fame was somewhat limited although steadily growing - to the limited number of devoted fans who had followed them all over Britain during the first two years when WITCHFYNDE played just about anywhere and everywhere they could. All this while the group was hoarding money to later enable them to record their first album. By now the music was solid, and their live show impressive, and risqu? for the time, thanks to the use of candelabras, lot's of smoke, and half naked girls traipsing around on stage.
In 1979 the band signed to RONDELET RECORDS. As they had already recorded their debut album, the label simply had to release and promote the record. First came the 7” E.P. debut GIVE 'EM HELL, followed a bit later that year by the unveiling of the album by the same title. The line-up consisted of ANDRO COULTON (bass), MONTALO (guitars), STEVE BRIDGES (vocals) and GRA SCORESBY (drums). They played a powerful, but original version of old school British Heavy Metal. The media were somewhat reserved, but the fans embraced WITCHFYNDE with open arms.
WITCHFYNDE had the opportunity of opening for DEF LEPPARD's tour of the British Isles in 1980, to which - all things considered - the response was very good, bearing in mind that these bands had little if anything in common. Later the same year PETE SURGERY joined the band as the new bass player, just in time to record the second album, entitled STAGEFRIGHT, which featured the single IN THE STARS. The music was again melodic, but also very heavy, ranging from compelling ballads to forceful metal anthems. Once again the public cheered and the critics jeered.
Receiving little support from their record label they plodded on to the best of their abilities. Their best promotional break came from the inclusion of the track BELFAST on the significant BBC compilation album THE FRIDAY ROCK SHOW, which also featured the likes of DEMON, SPIDER and SWEET SAVAGE. The unedited version of the song BELFAST somewhat circumvented the band's habitual approach to lyrics, since this was a political song. BELFAST was also where LUTHER BELTZ came in as lead singer, replacing STEVE BRIDGES, who by now desired a more conventional and stable lifestyle.
Somewhat at the then height of their popularity the band more or less disappeared from the scene for the next two years. Very little was seen or heard from them fuelling rumors of death at the hands of satanic sects, pissed of by the lyrical content of WITCHFYHDE'S recorded output. The truth of the matter was that they wished to break away from RONDELET and the untangling of things simply took time. Subsequently they inked a new pact with EXPULSION RECORDS.
With a new, and hopefully better deal under their belt WITCHFYNDE started recording CLOAK AND DAGGER, the new studio opus that was unleashed on the public in 1983. The record still had classic heavy metal influences running through its groove, but also possessed a much more 80s sound. The track I'D RATHER GO WILD was issued as a single and also ended up on METAL BATTLE, a compilation album that was released on NEAT RECORDS in the UK, and ROADRUNNER RECORDS in a number of other countries. The album also included the likes of MERCYFYUL FATE, VENOM and JAGUAR.
The general boom of music and bands inspired by Satan, the occult, and the dark side of things, helped the band in terms of promotion and recognition. Their album covers featuring graveyards and broadswords, goat's heads and pentagrams, in addition to rumors suggesting the band members were active participants in black magic rites and rituals all of this contributed to their popularity. And let's not forget they were producing rock-solid quality records containing memorable anthems, as well as delivering impressive live performances.
Then WITCHFYNDE once again fell out with their record label and the deal with EXPULSION was cancelled, the group claiming the reason to be a lack of promotion and commitment.
Sometime in 1984 renowned record producer and studio owner PHIL CHILTON introduced the band to DAVID MOFFITT, the UK manager of MAUSOLEUM RECORDS, and a few weeks thereafter WITCHFYNDE had a new home. The album LORDS OF SIN was produced under the expert guidance of PHIL CHILTON and recorded with the newest member of the band: bassist EDD WOLFE. By now WITCHFYNDE had very much absorbed their more noticeable early influences, and had developed a recognizable style, very much their own. The first 10.000 copies of LORDS OF SIN album released in 1985 - came in double album format, with a gatefold sleeve, containing an additional 12” record featuring live versions of some of their earlier anthems, recorded during their trek across Europe. These tracks are included in the current MAUSOLEUM 20TH ANNIVERSARY re-release of LORDS OF SIN.
The cover originally planned for the album was censored. The pictures were supposed to be taken at the horror museum at the London Dungeon, and were to feature the additional attraction of some very beautiful naked ladies. Never mind, the final cover was rather interesting also since the picture inside the gatefold jacket again has its own story attached. It depicts the band at the DASWOOD MAUSOLEUM in High Wycombe, which was erected in memory of FRANCIS DASHWOOD founder of the HELLFIRE CLUB.
Once again though the band was struck by bad luck. They had hardly delivered this magnificent opus LORDS OF SIN, when ELDORADO ENTERTAINMENT & COMMUNICATIONS, the parent company of their label MAUSOLEUM RECORDS, started experiencing financial woes due to the bankruptcy of several distributors, and eventually went bankrupt in October of 1986. Although WITCHFYNDE broke up for unknown reasons this and being constantly ignored or panned by critics - could have been the straw that broke the camel's back.
Today, nearly 15 years later WITCHFYNDE are back with a new vocalist and a new album. Apparently they were even invited to play at the WACKEN FEST in Germany, but refused the opportunity in order to concentrate on the album. Also former vocalist LUTHER BELTZ, has been using the band's name (with a minor variation in the spelling), and has also recently released a new album. MONTALO and all members of the one and only original WITCHFYNDE of course deny any connection with that project. To find out more about WITCHFYNDE today, check out their excellent web site at: www.witchfynde.com
JOSE LUIS CANO with ALFIE FALCKENBACH
February 2002
