Witchfinder General

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Stourbridge Doom Metal band formed in 1979 by vocalist Zeeb Parkes, guitarist Phil Cope and drummer Steve Kinsell (credited as ‘Kid Rimple’). Witchfinder General actually achieved very little during the band’s lifetime, with two albums being given a generally poor media reception and live work infrequent. However, the latter day interest in the NWOBHM movement and then the resurgence of Doom Metal has placed a renewed focus on the band.

Cope, Kinsell and bassist Rod Hawkes had all been colleagues school band Electrode, with Zeeb Parkes acting as roadie. In the wake of this band Kinsell forged Medway, prior to reuniting with Parkes and Cope with Johnny Fisher on bass to forge Witchfinder General, their inaugural live performance taking place at The Crown public house in Dudley.

Fisher would soon be superseded by Kevin “Toss” McReady, who in turn was replaced by Woolfy Trope. During December of 1980 Witchfinder General announced they were to record a single, ‘Invisible Hate’, for release on the WFG label, but this never happened. Instead, the band signed to Heavy Metal Records in 1981 and released the poorly produced ‘Burning A Sinner’ 7” single. The group split with their rhythm section whilst in the studio and quickly added bassist Rod Hawks (a.k.a. ‘Hawk Eye’) and drummer Graham Ditchfield. A 12” EP, ‘Soviet Invasion’, followed.
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  • AnfangSilvester

    "When I was a young boy rock became my life. 16 I married it then it was my wife. Dreamt of making records, thought it would be fun. To make you people happy, each and every one!" STORY OF MY LIFE BRO

    10 days ago

  • mrshankly_

    my beer. my my my beeer. Heheh

    10 days ago

  • Clurr_x

    Just saw this posted on Heavy Metal Records. Apparently Decible Magazine want to do a feature on the band and are looking to get in touch with the members. Posting here in case anyone might be able to help; http://heavymetalrecords.com/2012/05/calling-anyone-in-touch-with-witchfinder-general-andor-satanic-rites/

    13 days ago

  • octopuss22

    Amazing band, pity tha they have only two albums worth listening.

    18 days ago

  • Necrosathanas

    This band gets me some feelings I can't describe... beautiful.

    26 days ago

  • DoomedCthulhu

    i could cry about i lost you...such a wonderful song...wonderful band...worth every listen

    last month

  • EternalDeath94

    Well yeah of course doom isn't always about the slower tempos but I never said that these guys were pure doom like many of the bands that came after these guys and various others. I was just trying to say that you can't deny that WG had early doom elements in their music even if wasn't a dominant sound. I just don't think these guys have a straight "Heavy" sound is all (the same can be said about bands such as Sabbath, Trouble, Pagan Altar etc.)

    March 2012

  • scapino

    These guys along with Sabbath and other bands gave birth to doom without being doom bands per se. Of course you can clearly hear the distinctive doom sound in some of their songs (Friends of Hell from 2:54 to 4:52 for example), which other bands took and made a whole genre out of (Reverend Bizarre for example). Also, doom is not always about slow tempo, it's more about that sabbathy riff if you know what I mean.

    March 2012
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