Ah, this one takes me back. In 1984, Denmark's Witch Cross released their one and only full-length album, Fit for Fight. At that time I was searching for anything and everything underground and non-major label. I don't know where I first heard the song "Light of a Torch" but I was instantly hooked and bought the album as soon as I found it.
Being Danish, Witch Cross didn't exactly qualify as a NWOBHM band but, like Finland's OZ, they played the same style of loose Traditional Metal common to those British bands. Singer Alex Nyborg Madsen had a mid-to-high range similar to, but not as powerful as, fellow Dane King Diamond. In fact, Fit for Fight was recorded by Henrik Lund who also worked on a few early Mercyful Fate records. The whole band played with as much enthusiasm as talent so the record is a bit unfocused in places, but the songs are where Witch Cross had an edge. "Night Flight to Tokyo," "Fight the Fire" and "Light of a Torch" are all high-energy rockers with memorable choruses. Madsen's high-pitch wails soar over solid riffs and extended solos by guitarists Mike "Wlad" Kock and Cole Hamilton. Foot-tapping and air guitar playing are nearly unavoidable. The production is rough by today's standards and there are weak spots, like the awful chorus of "Killer Dogs," but overall, Fit for Fight is excellent.
I'm not going to tell you Witch Cross is the best band from the early 80s that you've likely never heard of but I will say that any fan of Traditional Metal, especially the NWOBHM, who missed this one back in ‘84 won't want to miss it now.
