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Forged in the fires of Ottawa, Ontario, in the early 1980s, Witchkiller stormed the scene with a blend of epic heavy metal and NWOBHM-inspired riffage. Founded by drummer Steve Batky and guitarist Kurt Phillips, the band quickly carved out a place in metal history with their now-classic 1984 EP, Day of the Saxons, released through the legendary Metal Blade Records. The record’s powerful vocals, galloping rhythms and dramatic flair earned Witchkiller a loyal cult following that has only grown stronger with time.
After several lineup changes, including the departure of original vocalist Doug Adams and guitarist Kurt Phillips, Batky kept the flame alive with various lineups before eventually relocating to Los Angeles. There, he launched the melodic metal act I, Napoleon and later founded a successful leather goods company. Meanwhile, Adams and bassist Todd Pilon joined the Toronto group Reckless, recording several albums before Adams took his explosive energy around the world with the acclaimed pyrotechnics company Pyrotek. Phillips also made waves with a brief stint in Savage Grace before returning to Canada to lead the power metal project WARHAG, based on Vancouver Island.
Though Witchkiller’s original discography remains small, the band’s legacy is enduring, built on quality rather than quantity. In 2012, Witchkiller briefly reunited to begin work on new material and revive the lineup that had toured Canada in 1986 and 1987.
In 2025, the iron was hot once again. Witchkiller returned to the stage after more than 40 years, performing in Vancouver on July 19, Germany on July 26 and Victoria on July 30. These long-awaited appearances marked a monumental return, introducing the band’s iconic sound to a new generation of headbangers while delivering the raw power, unrelenting energy and loud, proud heavy metal that Witchkiller has always represented.
Witchkiller continues today with James Delbridge on vocals, Kurt Phillips on guitars, Duane Chaos on bass and Kevin MacEachern on drums.
-Robert Williston
“We look forward to humbly servicing the new metal world.”
Warmest regards,
Witchkiller
Find Witchkiller on Facebook at “Witchkiller Band Page” or contact the band at WitchkillerOfficial@yahoo.com
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Witchkiller - Day Of The Saxons BACK
Witchkiller - Day Of The Saxons INSERT SIDE 01
Witchkiller - Day Of The Saxons INSERT SIDE 02
Witchkiller - Day Of The Saxons LABEL 01
Witchkiller - Day Of The Saxons LABEL 02
Day of the Saxons
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Credits
Doug Adams: vocals
Kurt Phillips: guitar
Todd Pilon: bass
Steve Batky: drums
Produced and engineered by Joe "The Pounder" Primeau, impaled and assisted by Tom Balint
Recorded in July of '83 at Phase One Studios, Toronto, Ontario
Mixed by Bill Metoyer and Brian Slagel at Track Record, Los Angeles, California, USA
Photography by Peter Wyslouzil
For Information:
Warhag Productions
1971 St. Laurent Blvd
Suite 3B
Ottawa, Canada
K1G 3P4
Special Thanks To:
Our parents (we apologize for the occasional hell we put you through), Brian Slagel, Wayne Archibald, Gerry Bate (leather technician), Val Berube, Joan Miller, Kirk Pilon, Duff of the Saxons Brown, “Metal” Mike, Walter Sweeney and Steve’s Misti, Ottawa, Peter Adamson and John Scharf of Phase One, Joe “Pounder” Primeau, Tom (Impaled) Balint, and everyone at Phase One, Mike and Mark of Hagar Metalworks, Shark Custom Guitars, Ludwig Drums and Sabian Cymbals, Lars and Shelly (Iron Fist) Hammer, Mike Verge, Carl Wright, J.B. Bechler and Exeter Productions, Yves Cole of Le Bar Rock and Discos Extraordinaire, the Warhag, “Al” (Animal) Wilmore, Ron (I’m So Burnt) Swinford. Spikes to the Metal.
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