O.T.T. Records
1984
LA's Witch were by all accounts a wild act and between 1983 and 1985 many people thought they were going to break out and find the same success that other LA acts like Motley Crue, Ratt and WASP had found. The played plenty of shows on the Sunset Strip and built up a reputation as a spectacular live act with fire, explosions and other stage antics. They were musicly as well as evidenced by their 1984 EP "The Hex is on". Opener "Damnation" is a heavy straight up pounding track. "Bewitched" is faster, but very tight. "Cinderella (In Black Leather)" despite the silly title is another heavy grinder with a solid beat guiding the way. "Nervous Wreck" like "Bewitched" is another faster track. "Wet N' Wild" finishes up the album and again it's another powerful song. Witch dressed like a glam band, but had a heavier sound not far off from early WASP and Lizzy Borden. There was also a French version of this album released on Axe Killer records. It has a different cover, different track order and different production. I actually prefer this version due to the stronger production. The Axe Killer version of "The Hex is on" also appears on "The Damnation" collection released a few years ago. Whether the cause was trouble with their management or internal problems Witch never made it to the next level as expected. Still "The Hex is on" shows how in 1984 these guys really had some potential.
***Definitely check out the site below about Witch.
http://www.witchtheband.com/
I've heard the name... never heard the Metal from Witch. Heck, I haven't heard the name of this band in years until now! I'll go check out their website. The album cover reminds me of something that Bitch would have done back then.
ReplyDeleteStone-Funny you'd mention Bitch because Betsy Bitch actually sang for Witch at a few shows in 2009.
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