History
The Hamburg-based Iron Angel was one of the early speed metal stalwarts with a sound and image that would strike fear in the hearts of grown men. The band was formed in 1983 and soon issued three demos before signing to SPV. The early monicker of Metal Gods was a high school band stemming from 1980. The first demo was 1984’s Power Metal Attack. It was a rehearsal tape. The band toured Europe and gained some fame for having Ritchie Blackmore’s son, Jurgen, solo on its album. This work was Jurgen Blackmore’s first official recording.
Following the more melodic Winds Of War Wittke moved over to bass guitar and was replaced by one Stefan Kleinow. The album had been criticized and the act fell apart. Matthes and Schröder joined Blackmore in Superstition. The band would reform, but Wittke would die in a car accident in 2000 before the completion of an album called The Rebirth. Sven Strüven died in 2008.
In its time, the band played shows with the likes of Nightmare and King Diamond.
The two remaining members issued a couple of live independent albums in 2004 and announced an album for 2006. What came next was a 2007 demo called Back From Hell. Schröder left, but again returned in 2014. At that stage, he was the sole original member. Another live album was released through the Dutch Hammerheart Records in 2013. It was recorded in 1986.
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