Seventh Angel

Infobox musical artist
Name = Seventh Angel


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Halesowen, West Midlands, United Kingdom
Genre = Thrash metal, doom metal
Years_active = 1987-1992, 2008-present
Label = Under One Flag / Music For Nations
Associated_acts = Ashen Mortality, My Silent Wake
URL = [http://www.blackplanet0.freeserve.co.uk/seventh.htm Seventh Angel]
Current_members = Ian Arkley
Andrew "Tank" Thompson
Simon Bibby
Mark Broomhead
Past_members = (Full list)

Seventh Angel is a British thrash metal band that formed in 1987. According to Cross Rhythms magazine, They were considered to be thrash metal pioneers, and they released the albums "The Torment" (1990) and "Lament for the Weary" (1992). These records achieved mainstream distribution through Music for Nations label, making Seventh Angel label mates with such groups as Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth. [cite web |url= http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Seventh_Angel/The_Torment/10905/ |title= Seventh Angel - The Torment |accessdate=2007-12-19 |author=Hoff, Brian |date=1990-07-01 |year= |month= |format= |work= Cross Rhythms |publisher= |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] The band was known for its combination of doom metal and thrash metal. [cite web |url= http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Seventh_Angel/Lament_For_The_Weary/23648/ |title= Seventh Angel - Lament fot the Weary |accessdate=2007-12-19 |author=Williams, Lynn |date=1992-07-01 |year= |month= |format= |work= Cross Rhythms |publisher= |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] Although Seventh Angel disbanded in 1992, for a long time they were considered to be the best metal act in the UK, claims Cross Rhythms.cite web |url= http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Seventh_Angel/Heed_The_Warning_Live__Demo_Recordings/18334/ |title= Seventh Angel - Heed the Warning Demo Recordings |accessdate=2007-12-19 |author=Sammons, Greg |date=2006-07-31 |year= |month= |format= |work= Cross Rhythms |publisher= |pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] "Daily Telegraph" called Seventh Angel "one of the leading Christian thrash metal bands in Great Britain." [Bolton, Nick. Liner notes of "The Torment" re-issue. 2005.]

The band headlined the Metal Meltdown festival in 1990, played concerts in Germany and Holland, and they were featured in both Channel 4 and BBC TV for several live performances of their Greenbelt festival concerts. The guitarist/vocalist Ian Arkley went to form the doom metal band Ashen Mortality. On May 23, 2008, the group announced their reforming, and a new album is due out later. [http://www.blackplanet0.freeserve.co.uk/seventhangel.htm Seventh Angel reformed, May 23, 2008] ] The current line-up consists of the original members Ian Arkley, Andrew "Tank" Thompson (drums), Simon Bibby (guitar), and Mark Broomhead (bass).

History

Demo era (1987-1989)

Seventh Angel was formed in 1987 by Ian Arkley and Andrew Blount with Scott Rawson joining very soon afterwards. In August 1988 the first drummer Andrew Blount was replaced by Andy Hopkins who played with the band until December.

In early 1989 year Mark Ruff joined as their drummer. The first demo "Seventh Angel" was produced in 1989 with Ian playing lead guitar, bass as well as vocals. A few days later Simon Bibby joined to play bass and the band began to play local concerts around the West Midlands. The band played its first concert in May in Netherton, West Midlands.

In August 1989 the Seventh Angel performed their 5th concert at the Greenbelt festival, supporting the American rock band One Bad Pig. Afterwards Mark Ruff left and Seventh Angel toured the United Kingdom, including Ireland, with the American heavy metal band Whitecross. Colin Brookes played drums during the tour. Andrew "Tank" Thompson replaced Colin on drums. The second demo titled, "The Rehearsal Demo", was recorded.

Channel 4 and The Daily Telegraph (1990)

On January 25, 1990 Seventh Angel appeared on Channel 4's "Not on Sunday" programme which featured a performance of "Divine Takeover" and a band interview with Brian Redhead. Later that year "The Daily Telegraph" described Seventh Angel as "one of Britain's leading Christian thrash metal bands." The demos received positive reviews in various magazines.

On February 14, Ian Arkley and Simon Bibby were involved in a car crash in which Bibby broke his arm and Ian damaged several of his teeth. However, the band was able to play their confirmed cocerts.

The Torment

Between March 12 and 14 the third demo titled "Heed the Warning" was recorded and mixed at White Rabbit Studios in Bridgenorth with Paul Hodson. Afterwards the band recorded their first album entitled "The Torment" at Mad Hat Studios in Wolverhampton by the same producer. The British fantasy artist Rodney Matthews painted the cover painting for the album.

Over the next few months Seventh Angel some local venues around Dudley and Stourbridge, including five performances at The Rock Tavern in Brierley Hill. The band headlined Metal Meltdown in November, which was Simon Bibby's last concert as he left the band in February.

BBCTV and Lament for the Weary (1991)

In February, Seventh Angel appeared BBC TV four times with footage recorded at their Greenbelt festival concert. "Forbidden Desires" was the featured song.

Simon Jones joined in to play bass and Seventh Angel performed concerts around Horsham and Stourbridge during the spring. The band played festivals including Harry and Crossfire. Seventh Angel toured the UK with Toranaga from March 21 to April 7, playing 11 concerts.

The second album, "Lament For The Weary", was recorded in ICC studios, Eastbourne, with Roy Rowland from the July 4 to 16, 1991. "Lament" saw the band combine doom metal elements to progressive thrash metal. The album received positive reviews.

Seventh Angel played performed at the mainstage of Greenbelt festival on August 23, sharing the stage with the American progressive metal group Galactic Cowboys. In October 1991, after a concert in Croyden, Scott left the band, as did Simon Jones after the Greenbelt festival concert and the band continued with only Tank and Ian Arkley as permanent members.

Foreign concerts and disbandment (1992)

In December 7, 1991, the band played a concert at Christmas Rock Night in Ennepetal, Germany. Jon Willis played bass on this occasion. Also filling in for bass during the next few months were Earl Morris and Nic White.

Over the next few months the band played some festivals and concerts around the UK, Holland and Germany. On May 30, Seventh Angel played in Utrecht, Holland. Mark Broomhead of the fellow thrash metal band Detritus played bass at the time for Seventh Angel, and the band played a concert at Greenbelt festival on August 28, sharing stage with the reputive Swedish progressive doom metal group Veni Domine.

Seventh Angel toured Holland from September 9 to October 12, and November 12 until December 12. December 12th 1992 saw Seventh Angel's last gig in Utrecht, Holland and the band split up shortly afterwards.

Ian Arkley went to form the doom metal band Ashen Mortality in 1993.

Comeback (2008)

Seventh Angel announced reforming on May 23, 2008. They will release a new album later. The current line-up consists of the original members Ian Arkley, Andrew "Tank" Thompson (drums), Simon Bibby (guitar), and Mark Broomhead (bass). The group also launched an official MySpace. On October 1, the Polish label Metal Mind Productions announced re-issuing the band's first two releases. The band has written half the song material for their new album, according to the press release.

Discography

* "Seventh Angel" (demo) (1988)
* "The Rehearsal Demo" (1989)
* "Heed the Warning demo" (1990)
* "The Torment" (1990)
* "Lament for the Weary" (1992)
* "Heed the Warning" (2005)

Members

Current

*Ian Arkley - guitars, vocals
*Andrew "Tank" Thompson - drums
*Simon Bibby – bass
*Mark Broomhead – bass

Past

*Simon Brynmawr – bass
*Andrew Blount – Drums
*Andy Hopkins – bass
*Simon Jones – bass
*Jon Willis – bass (live)
*Earl Morris – bass
*Colin Brookes – drums 1989
*Scott A. Rawson – guitar
*Nic White – bass
*Mark Ruff – drums

References

External links

* [http://www.blackplanet0.freeserve.co.uk/seventh.htm Seventh Angel bio]
* [http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=1758 Seventh Angel] at Encyclopaedia Metallum
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