NPR

Shocking Omissions: Coven's 'Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls'

The album — released, perhaps, ahead of its time — fused occult themes with rock music. Often described as a cult record, its influence has spread too far and too deep to be so easily cornered off.
Coven, led by singer Jinx Dawson, released <em>Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls</em> in 1969, and its influence is still being felt today — especially in the new wave of occult rock and metal bands.

This essay is one in a series celebrating deserving artists or albums not included on NPR Music's list of 150 Greatest Albums Made By Women.

During a 1986 interview between MTV VJ Martha Quinn and Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi, the television personality caught the legendary guitarist off guard. "Speaking of the early days of Black Sabbath, I found — I swear — the wildest thing," she says. As he looks on apprehensively, Quinn pulls something out from behind her chair: a copy of Coven's 1969 debut album, Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls.

"Have you ever seen this record before? Coven?"

"No."

"This is a Chicago band. You never saw this before? This album came out in 1969..."

Quinn turns the album around to show that a member of the band is credited

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