Stormwitch

This German heavy metal quintet, who employed a strong satanic/gothic horror image, were formed by guitarist Lee Tarot (b. Harold Spengler) in 1981, together with Andy Aldrian (vocals), Steve Merchant (guitar), Ronny Pearson (bass) and Pete Lancer (drums). These were all fellow Germans, who nevertheless altered their names in order to sound American. Their first three albums offered undistinguished Euro-metal, reminiscent of Running Wild, and made little impact outside Germany. A lack of success saw them change direction on 1987’s The Beauty And The Beast, adopting a more straightforward hard rock approach - all to little avail, however, with the band disintegrating shortly afterwards.