Heavy Metal Pioneer and New Wave of British Heavy Metal Icon Passes Away at 68

The Music World Mourns the Loss of an Influential Figure in British Heavy Metal History

The heavy metal community is mourning the loss of one of its most influential figures, a musician whose contributions to the genre helped shape the sound and direction of British heavy metal for decades. The artist, who passed away at the age of 68 following a courageous battle with cancer, leaves behind a legacy that spans multiple groundbreaking bands and represents a crucial chapter in the development of modern metal music.

The musician’s death was announced through social media channels by longtime friends and collaborators, who described him as not only a talented artist but also a beloved friend and mentor to countless musicians throughout his career. His passing marks the end of an era for fans of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement, which revolutionized the genre during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Kevin Riddles: A Founding Father of British Heavy Metal

Kevin Riddles, the bassist whose innovative playing and songwriting helped establish some of the most influential heavy metal bands of the late 20th century, passed away peacefully in a hospital during the early hours of Friday, July 4th, 2025. His death was announced by Kevin Heybourne, the last remaining founding member of Angel Witch, through an emotional Instagram post that highlighted not only Riddles’ professional achievements but also his character as a friend and collaborator.

“It is with immense sadness that I have to report that Kevin Riddles, our original bass player passed away on Friday 4th July 2025,” Heybourne wrote in his tribute. “Kevin was a great guy and we remained mates until the end, he will be greatly missed. Our condolences to his wife Julie. Rest in peace Kev.”

The announcement was echoed by Riddles’ later band Baphomet, which posted a heartfelt tribute on its Facebook page, describing him as “an absolute legend in the truest sense of the word, a larger than life character, an incredible and dedicated musician and a very fine and wonderful human being.”

The Formation and Impact of Angel Witch

Kevin Riddles’ most significant contribution to heavy metal history came through his role as a founding member of Angel Witch, a band that formed in London in 1976 and would go on to become one of the most influential acts in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. The band emerged during a pivotal period in rock music history, when traditional hard rock was evolving into something more aggressive and intense, incorporating elements from the emerging punk rock scene while maintaining the technical proficiency and melodic sensibilities that would define heavy metal.

Angel Witch represented a crucial bridge between the blues-based hard rock of the early 1970s and the more extreme forms of metal that would emerge in the following decades. Unlike the later, more extreme subgenres of metal music, Angel Witch and other NWOBHM bands maintained a strong focus on memorable hooks and melodic elements, but they significantly increased the intensity and speed of their music compared to their predecessors.

The band’s approach to heavy metal was revolutionary for its time, combining the raw energy and rebellious attitude of punk rock with the technical skill and musical sophistication of progressive rock. This synthesis created a sound that was both accessible to mainstream audiences and satisfying to musicians and fans who craved more complexity and aggression in their music.

Riddles’ bass playing was instrumental in creating Angel Witch’s distinctive sound. His rhythmic foundation provided the perfect complement to the band’s guitar-driven compositions, while his melodic sensibilities helped ensure that the band’s songs remained memorable and emotionally resonant. His contributions to the band’s songwriting process were equally important, as he helped craft the musical arrangements that would influence countless metal bands in the decades that followed.

The Landmark Debut Album and Early Success

Kevin Riddles’ most enduring contribution to heavy metal history came through his work on Angel Witch’s self-titled debut album, which was released in 1980 at the height of the NWOBHM movement. The album, which featured Riddles’ bass playing throughout, has since been recognized as one of the most important heavy metal releases of the early 1980s and continues to influence metal musicians today.

The recording process for the debut album took place during a period of intense creativity and experimentation within the British heavy metal scene. Bands like Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, and Saxon were simultaneously developing their own approaches to heavy metal, creating a competitive but collaborative environment that pushed all participants to reach new levels of musical achievement.

Angel Witch’s debut album showcased the band’s ability to balance melody with aggression, creating songs that were both technically impressive and emotionally powerful. Riddles’ bass work on tracks throughout the album demonstrated his understanding of how the bass guitar could serve not just as a rhythmic foundation but as a melodic instrument that could enhance the overall musical narrative.

The album’s success helped establish Angel Witch as one of the leading bands in the NWOBHM movement, and it opened doors for international touring and recognition. The band’s music began to reach audiences beyond the United Kingdom, contributing to the global spread of heavy metal and helping to establish the genre as a legitimate and influential form of popular music.

The Transition to Tytan and Continued Innovation

In 1982, Kevin Riddles made the difficult decision to leave Angel Witch at the height of their success to form a new band called Tytan. This decision, while surprising to many fans, demonstrated Riddles’ commitment to artistic growth and his desire to explore new musical territories within the heavy metal genre.

Tytan was formed with Angel Witch drummer Dave Dufort, creating a rhythm section that had already proven its effectiveness in the Angel Witch context. The new band emerged just as the NWOBHM movement was reaching its peak of popularity and commercial success, positioning Tytan to capitalize on the growing international interest in British heavy metal.

The band’s approach to metal music built upon the foundation that Riddles had helped establish with Angel Witch, but it also incorporated new elements that reflected the evolving nature of the genre. Tytan’s music maintained the melodic sensibilities and technical proficiency that had characterized the best NWOBHM bands, while also exploring more complex song structures and thematic concepts.

Despite the band’s musical achievements and the quality of their compositions, Tytan’s initial incarnation lasted only about two years. The group released just one album during this period, which ironically came out after the band had already broken up. This timing issue, unfortunately common in the music industry, meant that Tytan’s initial impact was somewhat limited compared to what it might have been under different circumstances.

The 2012 Reunion and Renaissance

After three decades away from the music scene, Kevin Riddles returned to Tytan in 2012 for a reunion that would prove to be much more than a nostalgic exercise. The reunion represented a genuine rebirth for the band, allowing them to complete unfinished business and explore musical ideas that had been left undeveloped during their brief initial run.

The reunited Tytan finally released a second full-length album, giving fans the opportunity to hear how the band’s sound had evolved over the intervening years. The album showcased Riddles’ continued growth as a musician, demonstrating that his skills had not diminished during his time away from the spotlight.

The reunion also provided Tytan with the opportunity to tour extensively, something that had been limited during their original incarnation. These tours allowed longtime fans to experience the band’s music in a live setting, while also introducing Tytan’s music to new generations of metal enthusiasts who had discovered the band through reissues and online platforms.

The success of the reunion led to continued activity for Tytan, with the band touring regularly and maintaining an active presence in the metal community. This period of renewed activity continued almost until Riddles’ death, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to music and his passion for performing.

Baphomet: A Full-Circle Return to Angel Witch Material

In 2021, Kevin Riddles embarked on what would prove to be his final musical project, founding a band called Baphomet that was specifically dedicated to performing the Angel Witch material from his tenure with the band. This project represented a full-circle return to the music that had first brought him to prominence and had established his reputation as one of the most important bass players in British heavy metal.

Baphomet’s focus on Angel Witch material from the mid-1970s through Riddles’ 1982 departure allowed him to revisit and reinterpret the songs that had helped define his career. The project also provided longtime fans with the opportunity to hear these classic compositions performed by one of their original creators, bringing a level of authenticity and emotional depth that tribute bands often struggle to achieve.

The formation of Baphomet also demonstrated Riddles’ continued pride in his contributions to Angel Witch’s legacy. Rather than distancing himself from his past work, he chose to celebrate and honor it, recognizing the lasting impact that these songs had on the development of heavy metal music.

The band’s performances were characterized by the same attention to detail and musical craftsmanship that had made the original Angel Witch recordings so influential. Riddles’ mature perspective on the material, combined with his decades of additional musical experience, brought new dimensions to familiar songs while maintaining their essential character and power.

Legacy and Influence on Heavy Metal

Kevin Riddles’ death at the age of 68 marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned nearly five decades and helped shape the development of heavy metal music. His contributions to Angel Witch, Tytan, and Baphomet represent different phases of his artistic evolution, but they all share common characteristics that defined his approach to music: technical excellence, melodic sensibility, and an unwavering commitment to the power and emotion of heavy metal.

The influence of Riddles’ work can be heard in the music of countless metal bands that followed in the wake of the NWOBHM movement. His bass playing style, which combined rhythmic precision with melodic creativity, became a template for how the bass guitar could function within the heavy metal context. Many of today’s most successful metal bassists cite the NWOBHM era as a crucial influence on their own development, and Riddles’ contributions to that movement continue to resonate with new generations of musicians.

Beyond his technical contributions, Riddles’ career also represents the importance of artistic integrity and creative evolution within the music industry. His willingness to leave Angel Witch at the height of their success to pursue new musical directions with Tytan demonstrated a commitment to artistic growth that is often rare in the commercial music world.

Conclusion: Remembering a Heavy Metal Pioneer

Kevin Riddles’ passing represents a significant loss for the heavy metal community, but his musical legacy will continue to influence and inspire musicians for generations to come. His work with Angel Witch helped establish the template for modern heavy metal, while his later projects demonstrated his continued commitment to musical excellence and artistic growth.

As fans and fellow musicians remember Kevin Riddles, they celebrate not only his technical achievements and musical contributions but also his character as a friend, collaborator, and mentor. His legacy serves as a reminder of the power of music to transcend boundaries and connect people across generations, and his influence on the development of heavy metal will be felt for decades to come.

The heavy metal world has lost one of its founding fathers, but the music Kevin Riddles helped create will continue to inspire and energize fans around the world. His contributions to the genre represent a crucial chapter in the history of heavy metal, and his influence on the musicians who followed in his footsteps ensures that his legacy will endure long after his passing.