870. Angel Witch / Screamin' n' Bleedin'. 1985. 3/5

One can only wonder just how many bands may have gone on to bigger and better things from the late 1970's and early 1980's if they had just managed to keep a stable line up together long enough to crack it in the music business. Once you've 'made it' you can pretty much change your line up as much as you like and still be able to do well (see Megadeth and W.A.S.P. as examples here). However, there are so many examples of bands from the NWOBHM era of music in the UK that couldn't get their act together until their time had seemingly passed.

Screamin' n' Bleedin' is Angel Witch's second album, the follow up to their wonderful eponymous debut Angel Witch from five years previous. Despite the album being well received, the band was unable to keep itself together, and the members all went their separate ways. Eventually, band leader Kevin Heybourne decided on revitalising his first success. He recruited Dave Tattum to sing lead vocals, allowing himself to concentrate on guitar and backing vocals. Peter Gordelier was recruited to play bass, while Dave Hogg returned on drums from the first album. When I discovered that Heybourne would not be singing on the album I was disappointed, I must admit. I had enjoyed his vocals on the first album, and felt he gave that album a drive as a result. Tattum is not a bad vocalist, and gives a good performance on the material here, but for me it was less Angel Witch because of this.
The album itself isn't outstanding, but it is a collection of good heavy songs it an era where the NWOBHM era had faded, and those bands were being replaced by bands who had been inspired by that first Angel Witch album. Oh the irony! Angel Witch now competing against bands who themselves wanted to be Angel Witch. This album is structured around a solid pairing of drums and bass guitar, providing the base for the album to thrive on. It may not be spectacular or scintillating stuff from the rhythm section, but it does the job required of the songs. This then allows Heybourne's guitar to weave its way through each song, dictating which way it would like them to progress. Again, there may not be a lot of electrifying solo pieces or imaginative riffs that have you sitting up in awe, but they are enough to provide plenty of enjoyment throughout. Tattum's vocals then tell the story of each song, and for the most part are effective in their way.
Most of the tracks have the basis of great songs, though without ever really living up to that potential. "Who's to Blame" starts the album off well, and "Evil Games' has some great touches to it, if only failing to push a menacing undertone that would have suited it perfectly. The band is looking for atmosphere in "Afraid of the Dark", in which it is almost effective in pulling off perfectly. "Reawakening" starts off with the kind of guitar and back beat that flicks a switch inside, and is backed up by solid guitar riff and harder vocals from Tattum and Heybourne.

So where is the problem? the answer is simple. It just lacks something, some inspiration that is missing from this album but was there on the debut album. The period of five years has allowed that spark to go missing, a vital ingredient that could well have turned this album and its contents into something more special. It's worth recalling that this is not a bad album, just an album that doesn't live up to its predecessor. That's not an easy task when your debut is regarded so highly, and there was so much time between the albums. Anyone who enjoyed Angel Witch will find enough here to enjoy, its just that you may well end up being like me, and wonder what may have been produced if time had not been an element.

Rating:  The silence deafens him as moments pass like hours.  3/5