Artist: BLACK WIDOW
Album: RETURN TO THE SABBAT + IV (2CD)

Year: 2012
Media type: CD

Black Widow burst onto the U.K. progressive rock scene early in 1970 with the release of their debut album on CBS entitled “Sacrifice”. The heavy rock-based recording contained occult overtones and featured the anthem “Come To The Sabbat” and perennial stage favourites “In Ancient Days” and “Sacrifice”. The early days of Black Widow were surrounded in controversy. The live show initially featured the mock sacrifice of a nude woman, which in itself, was enough to cause uproar in the press, and coupled with the fact that they were receiving advice on the art of Witchcraft from Alex Sanders, the self-professed “King Of The Witches” - the Sunday tabloids had a field day.

Early concerts were attended by priests waving crosses in the air, warning those attending of the inherent dangers of Witchcraft and of Back Widow. Religious fanatics would preach at the waiting queues urged on by journalists looking for a story.

Whilst the publicity at the time was very welcome (“Sacrifice” reached number 32 in the UK charts), Black Widow found that by the time they came to record their self-titled second album, a certain stigma had attached itself to the band which they were never able to shake off.

“Black Widow”  (1971) and “Black Widow III” (1972) were commercial rock albums, but despite endless touring to support each release, sales were disappointing. By the Summer of 1972, the impetus was beginning to drain from Black Widow. The band were tired, dispirited and without a record label, having been dropped by CBS. With the future looking increasingly bleak Black Widow entered D.T. Studios in Kettering to begin recording their fourth album. The irony of the situation was that the band, due to circumstances prevailing at the time, were left to produce the new record themselves, something they had always requested in the past, but had always been refused. The end result was that the band recorded, by far, their strongest album - but it was never to see the light of day until now.

As any Black Widow fan will tell you, “Return To The Sabbat” track listing on this CD is exactly the same as the original “Sacrifice” album but there’s a reason why.

Prior to the changing their name to Black Widow, the group were known as Pesky Gee. Under this name the band assembled at D.T. Studios and duly laid down the first recording of “Sacrifice” featuring Kay Garret on vocals alongside Kip Trevor. So whilst the arrangements are very similar to the CBS album, the vocals are totally different.

Whilst Black Widow never ascended to the heights of some of their more illustrious contemporaries, the group did bring a great deal of pleasure to their many fans. With the release of the double CD, the curtain  finally comes down on the Black Widow story. Or does it…?

TRACKLIST “RETURN TO THE SABBAT” :

1 In Ancient Days      
2 Way To Power      
3 Come To The Sabbat      
4 Conjuration      
5 Seduction      
6 Attack Of The Demon       
7 Sacrifice      

TRACKLIST “IV” :

1 Sleighride      
2 More Than A Day      
3 You’re So Wrong      
4 The Waves       
5 Part Of A New Day       
6 When Will You Know      
7 Floating      
8 Pictures In My Head       
9 I See You