When Angel Witch released their eponymous debut thirty years ago, one reviewer described it as being "like listening to Black Sabbath through a cement mixer", and to be perfectly honest that was quite an accurate description for the time. Thirty years on and Angel Witch have gone through a resurrection. Time has been kind to "that album" with many dark and doomy bands now citing it as a major influence, and it is mainly younger fans who now are embracing Angel Witch. The band now seeing themselves at the forefront of NWOBHMFANG (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal For A New Generation.) 

Tonight Angel Witch are headlining day one of the Live Evil festival which over the course of the weekend will also feature the cacophonous sounds of bands such as Volcano Obliteration, Nekromantheon, Ghost, Sonic Ritual and many more. However as I had only just landed back in Blighty on the morning of the gig after a holiday in sunny Thailand, the only thing that was in for the long haul was my bed to shake off some jet lag, so I only made it down to the Underworld in time to catch the mighty Angel Witch.

Ironically enough, only 24 hours before I was wandering around the Nana Night Entertainment Plaza in Bangkok where I ...'er...strolled past a bar that is actually called Angel Witch where..'er .'erm ...a local taxi driver told me that the girls inside dangle from chains wearing skimpy PVC outfits whilst dancing to some devilishly good rock tunes. Angel Witch the band may not be as good looking as those Asian babes but original guitarist and singer Kevin Heybourne has assembled himself a fine band who put 100% passion into their witchcraft. With the new addition of Bill Steer (ex Napalm Death/Carcass) on guitar, who was playing his first gig with the band, the band have never sounded so tight and powerful.

Even original bass player Kevin Riddles has come down tonight to check out the new Angel Witch, and he must have been amazed by the audience reaction. They were amazingly showing no signs of metal fatigue after a long day inside the Underworld.

The set, "a connoisseurs delight", was focused largely on the debut album with an assortment of b-sides from around the time. 'White Witch' got those gathered in the masses to headbang and sing along the glorious lines of ''Burn the white witch''. 'Angel Of Death' featured some bulldozing drumming from Andy Prestidge and razor sharp riffs from Heybourne and Steer. Bassist Will Palmer who has reincarnated himself into the classic days of metal was lapping up every joyous moment.

Metal For Muthas track 'Baphomet' is simply one of the best songs in the Angel Witch coven and even the punks down the front went crazy for the anthem 'Angel Witch' which ensured that many were still singing the chorus long after the gig had finished.

Angel Witch are in the process of writing new material and if it's as good as they played here tonight then they could well on their way to releasing an album that is superior to even their classic debut.

Set list: Gorgon / Confused / Sweet Danger / Sorceress / White Witch / Atlantis / Flight Nineteen / The Night Is Calling / Dr Phibes / Angel Of Death.... Encores.. Baphomet / Angel Witch / Devil's Tower