The Hamburg-based Iron Angel was one of the early speed metal stalwarts with a sound and image that would strike fear in the hearts of grown men. The band was formed in 1983 and soon issued three demos before signing to SPV. The band toured Europe and gained some fame for having Ritchie Blackmore’s son, Jurgen, solo on its album.
Following the more melodic Winds Of War Wittke moved over to bass guitar and was replaced by one Stefan Kleinow. The album had been criticized and the act fell apart. Matthes and Schröder joined Blackmore in Superstition. The band would reform, but Wittke would die in a car accident in 2000 before the completion of an album called The Rebirth.
In its time the band played shows with the likes of Nightmare and King Diamond.
The two remaining members issued a couple of live independent albums in 2004 and announced an album for 2006.