Witchfinder general Witchfinder General (Death Penalty, 1982)

Starring Vincent Price as 17th-century theocratic psychopath Matthew hopkins, Michael reeves’ 1968 folk-horror classic Witchfinder General had a significant impact on metal, but it started here, on this galloping anthem by Stourbridge’s NWoBhM heavyhitters. Death Penalty’s controversial sleeve – depicting topless model Joanne latham tormented by Puritans in a country churchyard – devotedly evoked the film’s bucolic sadism, but they had to be quick to shoot it, as the vicar hadn’t given them permission. the lyrics must have been written even quicker; Vincent Price would never have said “If you try me, even deny me, I’ll beat you, you’re a pratt.”

CHOICE LYRIC: “If your girl is tight he’ll take a bite / Say witch with evil mange / So if you’ve hope, let’s grab a rope / And watch that bastard hang”