You can see why bands such as Metallica were influenced by the possibly imaginary rumblings of bands such as this. I say imaginary, because despite the often folkloric appeal of such records, alongside those of Diamond Head and Witchfynde, there was in fact never really any occult hue, but merely a bunch of guys who could play really well, and churn out heavy rock that was always enshrouded in mythology and sorcery. It was of course very harmless, but the chant of the title cut, the mild thrash attack of 'Atlantis' and the occult mirage of 'Gorgon' and 'Angel Of Death' would have provided hours of darkness for us teenagers, and for bands such as Metallica who would groom themselves on such offerings.
Today, this debut record sounds a little strained, vocalist Kevin Heybourne would sound out his depth, and lyrically it's naive, but like the monstrous Witchfinder General, there is a deep darkness that stirs, and such a natural, honest feel for the metal, that you can't help but applaud such mesmerising rock. With this kind of music, classed as the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, there was always a dense, basement plod to it, the galloping 'White Witch' symbolic of such journeys, it's low-budget form creeping like some old, eerie episode of 'Doctor Who', making its mark on childhood memories like an encounter with a grinning ghost.
7/10
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