Photo by Gerrie Lemmens

Around the time of Halloween 1999, fuelled by a major worldwide resurgence of interest in the band as a result of numerous references on the Internet and in the music press, together with the release of a “Best Of” CD in 1996, the powers that be decided that the time was now right for Witchfynde, one of the legendary forerunners of the NWOBHM movement and cited by many as an influence on the contemporary heavy metal scene, to return from their self-imposed exile after the release of the “Lords of Sin” album in 1984, and break the silence.

Gra and friends.
Photo by Witchfynde

The line-up of Montalo (guitar), Gra Scoresby (drums) and Pete “Thud” Surgey (bass), complete with new vocalist Harry Harrison, began writing songs and working on material for the band’s fifth album titled “The Witching Hour”.

“The Witching Hour” was recorded at the end of 2000 and released in October 2001 on Edgy Records and is available through Metal Nation Records.

Witchfynde and Swedish friends.
Photo by Witchfynde

“The Witching Hour” features re-recordings of classic Witchfynde songs combined with new material to aurally project you from the band’s early days right up to the present day.

Witchfynde are also featured on the double compilation “Britannia Infernus: A History of British Occult/Black Metal” released on Godreah Records.

During 2004 Witchfynde appeared at the Motala Metal Festival VIII in Sweden and the Keep It True III Festival in Germany. The band were thrilled and amazed by the incredible response they received from the European audiences. It was an honour to meet so many friends who, in some cases, had been waiting for many years to see Witchfynde perform live onstage.

At present the band are busy writing and recording their sixth album, the title of which remains a closely guarded secret. As with “The Witching Hour”, recording is again taking place at The Bandwagon Studio in Mansfield with Andy Dawson of Savage fame at the controls. The album is currently mid-way towards completion.

Miggo and Witchfynde.
Photo by Witchfynde

Over the past few months Montalo has been contributing to a book being written by journalist/photographer John Tucker titled “Suzie Smiled... Tales From The NWOBHM”, due to be published by Helter Skelter in early 2005.

We are aware that “The Lords Of Sin” and “Give Em Hell” are now available on CD. “Give Em Hell” was released on 28th November 2004 by Cherry Red Records.

While both CDs were released without our knowledge, consultation or involvement we are grateful for, and indeed flattered by, the kind words inside the “Give Em Hell” CD excellently written by the legendary rock journalist Geoff Barton. (They provide a well-researched, fascinating insight into the history of the band.) We are equally grateful for the excellent review of the CD by Mick Middles in Classic Rock magazine (February 2005). We have recently heard that Cherry Red Records are planning to re-issue “Stagefright” on CD, and we are hoping to be involved in providing text and archive photos.