Black Widow - Sabbat Days (The Complete Anthology 1969-1972) (2024) {6CD Box Set}

• First-ever complete anthology of early 70s UK progressive rock band notorious for occult- based lyrics and explicit stage act.

• Features their three CBS albums, demos, including an early demo version of 'Sacrifice', out- takes, live recordings and a pre-Black Widow LP as Pesky Gee! And their final unreleased album from 1972.

• Inspired by the popularity of Hammer Horror films and Dennis Wheatley novels, in 1969 Leicester progressive rockers Pesky Gee! became Black Widow and immersed themselves in the occult.

• Sharing management with Black Sabbath, they signed to CBS and issued concept album 'Sacrifice', a Top 40 set that included their calling card, the demonic invocation 'Come To The Sabbat'.

• Also including two live sets from 1970-71 and all surviving tracks from an aborted 1971 solo LP by vocalist Kay Garrett on which she was backed by Black Widow (who also wrote the songs).

Aided by Wiccan High Priest Alex Sanders (“the most powerful witch in Britain”), they developed a stage act that climaxed with the mock-sacrifice of a naked virgin. The show inevitably attracted the interest of the Sunday tabloids and the condemnation of the clergy, and they were refused entry to America in the wake of the Charles Manson atrocities (reported at the time as “black magic” murders).

Reluctantly deciding to drop their stage show, they moved away from occult-based imagery and parted company with Sanders. Two further albums appeared before CBS dropped them, the band breaking up after being unable to place their final recordings.