Kevin Riddles, founding bassist with NWOBHM icons Angel Witch, has died on the age of 68 after a battle with most cancers. The information was confirmed by Angel Witch guitarist and vocalist Kevin Heybourne on the band’s Fb web page.
“It’s with immense disappointment that I’ve to report that Kevin Riddles, our authentic bass participant, handed away on Friday, 4th July 2025,” wrote Heybourne. “Kevin was an excellent man and we remained mates till the tip, he can be tremendously missed.
“Our condolences to his spouse, Julie. Relaxation in peace, Kev.”
Additional tribute was on the Fb web page of Kev Riddles’ Baphomet, the band Riddles based in 2021 to carry out songs recorded by Angel Witch throughout his time with the group.
“It’s with nice disappointment that now we have to tell you all the passing of the one and solely Kevin Riddles, authentic Angel Witch member and bass participant,” learn the assertion. “We’re all completely devastated.
“An absolute legend within the truest sense of the phrase, a larger-than-life character, an unimaginable and devoted musician and a really wonderful and fantastic human being. Relaxation straightforward, huge fella.”
Riddles first joined forces with Heybourne in 1978 after assembly him on the music retailer Riddles labored at in Lewisham, South London. When Heybourne shaped Angel Witch after his earlier band Lucifer broke up, Riddles joined and the group swiftly made a reputation for themselves, increase a following known as (maybe inevitably) ‘Witches’.
Angel Witch drew up their swords-and-sorcery blueprint early on with songs reminiscent of Satan’s Tower, The Sorceress and The Gorgon, and recognition arrived in Could 1979 when Angel Witch, Iron Maiden and Samson performed the present on the Music Machine in North London that subsequently turned often known as the gig that launched the NWOBHM.
The gig was attended by Sounds (now Basic Rock) author Geoff Barton, who would later report, “If Angel Witch ever had a most interesting hour, this was in all probability it, as a result of they obtained a extra optimistic response than Iron Maiden, the second act on the invoice. Wonderful however true.”
“Sounds got here alongside, did that overview and coined the phrase [NWOBHM],” Riddles informed MetalTalk in 2021. “However we didn’t realise we have been a part of one thing particular and completely different on the time.”
The next yr, Angel Witch contributed fan favorite Baphomet to the primary quantity of the long-lasting Metallic For Muthas compilation, showing alongside fellow NWOBHM travellers Iron Maiden, Praying Mantis, Samson and Toad The Moist Sprocket (not the American band of the identical title).
The identical yr Angel Witch supported Black Sabbath on their Heaven And Hell tour and signed to Bronze Data (then residence of Motörhead and Girlschool). The debut album, most well-known for the self-titled Angel Witch single and its joyously simplistic refrain, “You are an Angel Witch! / You are An Angel Witch!” arrived in December 1980.
“I’ve to say I used to be happy with it on the time,” Kevin informed MetalTalk. “We have been only a working band. We cherished doing the gigs we have been doing, and the additional away from residence we might do them, the higher. We felt like a correct rock‘n’roll band.”
Angel Witch cut up up within the wake of the album’s launch and Riddles give up to hitch Tytan, earlier than hooking up with Paul Samson’s Empire.
Within the meantime, the affect of Angel Witch’s album grew, making an impression on younger NWOBHM fan and future Metallica star Lars Ulrich.
“I keep in mind seeing an interview on a movie with Lars Ulrich”, Kevin informed MetalTalk. “He cited Angel Witch as one of many influences behind Metallica. We obtained him into the Marquee free of charge each time we performed there. He slept on my rattling sofa for weeks on finish as a result of he was homeless.
“He by no means provided us a gig, the little bugger. That they had the luck, the administration, the expertise and all the pieces else. They obtained the package deal excellent, they usually took their careers and ran with it. That was sensible, to listen to that we had influenced them.”
Prompted by his spouse, Julie, Riddles shaped Kev Riddles’ Baphomet throughout lockdown in 2021, with former bandmate Kevin Heybourne, who at this time fronts a brand new lineup of Angel Witch, giving his blessing.
“Hopefully, we’ll get again a little bit of that enjoyable that we have been having within the ’80s,” mentioned Riddles. “That’s the thought. If individuals revisit it of their heads, once they noticed us on the Marquee, or once they noticed us at Sunset, or once they noticed us at Hammersmith, or once they noticed us at Newcastle Metropolis Corridor, in the event that they stroll out with a smile on their face, that’s all I can ask.”
