Divine Victims: The Witchfynde Albums 1980-1983

• Although coming to prominence alongside Iron Maiden, Tygers Of Pan Tang and Diamond Head during the burgeoning New Wave Of British Heavy Metal scene of the late 70s and early 80s, the roots of Witchfynde go back to 1973, when drummer Gra Scoresby met guitarist Montalo. Formed in Derbyshire, they were eventually joined by vocalist Steve Bridges and bassist Andro Coulton, playing their first official gig supporting Thin Lizzy at Derby College.

• Following the likes of Def Leppard and Iron Maiden, Witchfynde’s 1979 debut was to have been a self-financed release in the form of the ‘Give ‘Em Hell’ single, although it was eventually issued on the independent Rondelet Records. The full-length debut LP “Give ‘Em Hell” was issued in May 1980, followed by some impressive support slots with Saxon, Motorhead, Girl and Girlschool. “Give ‘Em Hell” has been expanded here with the bonus tracks ‘The Devil's Gallop’, ‘Tetelestai’ plus the B-Side, ‘Wake Up Screaming’.

• Wasting no time, second album “Stagefright” was released the same year, again for Rondelet Records. It was at this time that Andro Coulton was replaced by Pete Surgey. BBC Radio 1’s Friday Rock Show with Tommy Vance was very important at promoting hard rock and heavy metal, new and old, and a session recorded for the show would certainly help gain a band nationwide exposure. “Stagefright” has now been expanded to include the four tracks recorded exclusively for the show; ‘Give 'Em Hell’, ‘Getting Heavy’, ‘Belfast’ and ‘Moon Magic’.

• By the time of their third LP, “Cloak And Dagger”, Steve Bridges had left to be replaced by Luther Beltz. The band had left Rondelet Records by this time, and signed to Expulsion Records, but poor promotion, plus their label folding, meant that “Cloak And Dagger” didn’t received the full exposure it justly deserved. Although they would eventually split after their fourth album, thankfully, Witchfynde were resurrected in the late 1990s and continue to tour today.

• Each of the three albums is presented in a “mini-sleeve” of the original LP, and is housed in a “clamshell” box. The expanded booklet features an expanded essay by NWOBHM and Witchfynde expert, John Tucker.