Witchfynde is an English heavy metal band formed in Derbyshire in 1974. Critics place them among the founding pioneers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). Furthermore, they gained early fame for incorporating Satanic imagery and occult themes into their music.
Bassist Richard Blower and vocalist Neil Harvey originally formed the group in 1974. However, guitarist Montalo (Trevor Taylor), bassist Andro Coulton, drummer Gra Scoresby, and vocalist Steve Bridges soon solidified the classic early lineup.
First, the band released their landmark debut single, “Give ‘Em Hell,” in 1979. Consequently, Rondelet Records released their debut studio album, also titled Give ‘Em Hell, the following year. Soon, the record earned widespread attention due to frequent airplay on BBC Radio 1’s Friday Rock Show.
Subsequently, the band built a strong national profile by touring the UK alongside Def Leppard in 1980. Later that year, the band released their experimental second album. New bassist Pete Surgey joined during this period to replace Coulton, even if Coulton actually recorded bass for three of the tracks.
Label disputes interrupted the band’s progress in the early 1980s. First, vocalist Steve Bridges left the group after Rondelet Records withdrew financial support.
Consequently, new frontman Luther Beltz joined the lineup. Next, the band released their third studio record, Cloak and Dagger, in 1983 on Expulsion Records. However, bad album production and the label’s sudden bankruptcy limited its commercial success.
Subsequently, the group signed with Belgian label Mausoleum Records and released their fourth album, Lords of Sin in 1984. Shortly afterward, internal pressures forced the band to split up.
Montalo and Surgey reactivated the project in 1999 alongside returning vocalist Luther Beltz. The band released a brand-new comeback album through Neat Metal Records, The Witching Hour. Next, the group released their sixth studio album, Play It to Death, in 2008.
Eventually, after decades of sporadic festival appearances and line-up shifts, the group officially dissolved in 2023.
