WITCHFINDER GENERAL- Burning a Sinner, c/w Satan’s Children 7" (Heavy Metal Records, UK, 1981)
Repost from March 3 2006. Added some words of wisdom and audio files. For use in satanic rites only!
I admit - sometimes I feel ashamed of myself. You can’t seriously like this, I happen to think in those moments. And whenever it hits me like that, it’s about a Metal record. Same story here. The cover, the song titles - who can possibly take this seriously? But then you put it on and the raw energy takes you away - incredible! Just like the movie with Vincent Price which lent the boys the name for the band.
A lot more unpolished than the groups other releases, the A-side is maybe the best they ever did (along with the first LP “Death Penalty” which had a cleaner version of “Burning a Sinner”). Total BLACK SABBATH slag-off, totally predictable - yet so full of charme and teen-angst; the same teen-angst basically that inspired Punk and Hardcore, only that it was articulated in a more traditional fashion on this single. A true classic of the NWOBHM genre although I know many from my generation who think the band is overrated today. In fact nobody really cared too much about WITCHFINDER GENERAL when the NWOBHM was happening; they were merely one band among others and clearly overshadowed by, for example, ANGEL WITCH - which was and is justified, I think. WITCHFINDER GENERAL’s record covers were too corny, too theatralical.
But looking back now, it has gained pattina for good. It seems like the band had much more to offer than what met the eye at first. They definately had their own flavour. They emulated the old BLACK SABBATH feeling in a unique way, so that in the end, WITCHFINDER GENERAL transcended the old scheme into something that already bore the shapes of what was to come next (that was TROUBLE, WAR CRY and SAINT VITUS basically).
The follow-up to this was the hillariously great “Soviet invasion” 12″. The title makes it clear - these guys weren’t exactly left radical communist satanists and the pro-death penalty song on the totally unironically entitled “Death Penalty” LP delivered further proof. Dude, it’s Mettttaallll! Oh yes, the “Soviet Invasion” 12er - I don’t know whether it was the band’s idea, the producer’s in the studio or the label’s, but on two of the songs, they added fake live sounds which made it seem like they played in front of thousands - or almost so. Isn’t that the greatest thing about Meddal, as seen on the backcover of BULLDÖZER: You always get more than you could possibly ask for!
Burning a Sinner.mp3
Satan’s Children.mp3
This rare 7″ was repressed a few years ago on a german label. I think it had the same cover only inverted.
Steve wrote:
At last! Crosssover punk/NWOBHM blogging! I totally approve. I can’t get excited about any of the high-profile chart ‘BHM bands like Saxon, Iron Maiden etc, but some of the private gear is excellent. Metallers could spend their pocket-money, student-grants and dole-cheques on
making records too! Favourite crossover single of the moment: “Stranger In My Room” by Starvation Army.
Posted on 01-Aug-06 at 6:17 am | Permalink
E. wrote:
There’s nothing wrong with NWOBHM, as you said - but if you really dig deep enough or give it appropriate time, even bands like the mentioned have lots to offer. Alone IRON MAIDEN’s “Killers” LP has so much of the power of punk in it, it’s crazy! I remember when the first two MAIDEN lp’s came out, a lot of metalhead-friends of mine wouldn’t like it cause it was too punky for them. Well, a short time after they would have claimed they always were into MAIDEN or then, as in many cases, would use this as a gate to explore the punk and hc territories - like me.
Posted on 01-Aug-06 at 7:46 am | Permalink
Anonymous wrote:
You sound like the typical punk faggot.
Posted on 29-Aug-06 at 7:42 am | Permalink
E. wrote:
I am! I had sex with your father when I was in L.A. Maybe I’m your mother. Or your father.
Posted on 29-Aug-06 at 7:52 am | Permalink
stinky82 wrote:
aaa…old skool metal era ist da
But my soul is yelling for CHANNEL 3 1st 12″ 1981, NITWITZ spare discography and WILLFUL NEGLECT another 12″ 
Post it, and I´ll get the best christmas gift from you 
:D
Posted on 22-Nov-06 at 2:55 pm | Permalink
Erich wrote:
haha, stinky - but actually it’s more about what i do get from you for xmas!
channel 3 is a fine idea - was actually thinking about that too, though i like “darkness” better …..
Posted on 22-Nov-06 at 3:02 pm | Permalink
Erich wrote:
or “lights out” or whatever it was called. erich, you shouldn’t drink so much.
Posted on 22-Nov-06 at 3:03 pm | Permalink
Tom wrote:
I think “Satan’s Children” is way better than the A-Side. I first heard this band on a heavy metal compilation called Metal Inferno from 1984, along with Venom, The Blood, and others. Btw, if you happen to have The Blood “Se Parare Rex” LP Erich please post it. It was a UK punk/oi band that turned metal, err goth metal, err death rock metal in the mid 80’s. One of the first of that style I ever heard. I’ve been looking for that LP for years.
Posted on 22-Nov-06 at 5:54 pm | Permalink
Erich wrote:
I think it was some ex-TANK members that founded THE BLOOD and the LP definately was called “Se parare nex”. I only had it on tape but never really wasn’t too impressed by it, but maybe you’re right and this sounds way better today. I remember it was very gloomy and reminded me on THE MOB a bit.
Posted on 23-Nov-06 at 1:01 am | Permalink
Peter Davis wrote:
Hilarious. Had her tell of this band for many years but never got the oppotunity to actually hear them. Thanks for sharing and keep up the fine work with the site!
Posted on 23-Nov-06 at 4:20 am | Permalink
Petrus wrote:
This is Satans Blog! Turn around you satans people!
Posted on 23-Nov-06 at 5:14 am | Permalink
g-sus wrote:
not bad for ‘81 but i’ll stick to the d-beat. Give me DISCHARGE anytime. from that era obviously and not their later tripe…
Posted on 23-Nov-06 at 9:42 am | Permalink
Anonymous wrote:
I like “Satan’s Children”. I’m not
really feelin’ “Burning a Sinner”
though. Thanks for posting this.
Posted on 28-Nov-06 at 3:16 pm | Permalink
sickie wrote:
what the fuck posers both these songs sound better than the vinyl they had out clueless fucks
Posted on 15-Oct-07 at 6:16 pm | Permalink
Seth wrote:
I’m obviously posting a little late… But to the above comments… The Blood was NOT formed by ex-Tank members. And Se Parare Nex is posted on my Blogspot at http://whokilledet.blogspot.com/
Posted on 20-Nov-08 at 9:33 am | Permalink
Speed wrote:
Their best song was their self-titled “Witchfinder General” - b-grade Sabbath lumbering along, great raw production. Soaring chorus: “Cause I am the Witchfinder General!!”
The NWOBHM bands definitely had the same DIY ethos as the punk groups, the same stripped-down back to basics sound. Until commercial success came along. God, look what happened to Saxon; went from being a great band to MTV cock rock.
Posted on 31-Dec-08 at 8:39 am | Permalink