Description

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, Witchfyndes 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 1s 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 didnt 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.

3CD box set version

Tracklisting

CD1: GIVE EM HELL (1980)
1. READY TO ROLL
2. THE DIVINE VICTIM
3. LEAVING NADIR
4. GETTIN HEAVY
5. GIVE EM HELL
6. UNTO THE AGES OF THE AGES
7. PAY NOW – LOVE LATER
BONUS TRACKS:
8. THE DEVILS GALLOP
9. TETELESTAI
10. WAKE UP SCREAMING (45 B-SIDE)
CD2: STAGEFRIGHT (1980)
1. STAGE FRIGHT
2. DOING THE RIGHT THING
3. WOULD NOT BE SEEN DEAD IN HEAVEN
4. WAKE UP SCREAMING
5. BIG DEAL
6. MOON MAGIC
7. IN THE STARS
8. TRICK OR TREAT
9. MADELEINE
BONUS TRACKS:
BBC FRIDAY NIGHT ROCK SHOW – RECORDED 21/1/1981 TRANSMITTED 12/2/1981
10. GIVE EM HELL
11. GETTIN HEAVY
12. BELFAST
13. MOON MAGIC
CD3: CLOAK & DAGGER (1983)
1. THE DEVILS PLAYGROUND
2. CRYSTAL GAZING
3. ID RATHER GO WILD
4. SOMEWHERE TO HIDE
5. CLOAK AND DAGGER
6. CRY WOLF
7. START COUNTING
8. LIVING FOR MEMORIES
9. ROCK & ROLL
10. STAY AWAY
11. FRA DIABOLO