Coven

Coven is a psychedelic rock band from Chicago, United States, active from 1967 to 1975. The group’s core line-up includes vocalist Jinx Dawson, bassist Oz Osborne, and drummer Steve Ross; later listed members include John Hobbs and Greg Osborne, and the band is associated with the label Prophecy Productions. Its style spans classic rock, hard rock, occult rock, psychedelic rock, and rock.

Career and recordings

Formed in the late 1960s, Coven signs to Mercury Records and releases its debut album, Witchcraft Destroys Minds and Reaps Souls, in 1969. The album draws attention for its occult and satanic subject matter, with tracks including “The White Witch of Rose Hall”, “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge”, and “Dignitaries of Hell”. It ends with “Satanic Mass”, a 13-minute piece of chants and spoken-word passages. The record is later withdrawn from circulation after controversy connected to media coverage of occult themes and contemporary crimes.

The band follows with the self-titled album Coven in 1972, which includes “One Tin Soldier” and “Nightingale”. “One Tin Soldier”, originally by Original Caste, becomes a top 10 hit and is used as the theme song for the 1971 film Billy Jack. Coven’s third album, Blood on the Snow, is released in 1974.

Style and legacy

Coven is known for its use of occult imagery and themes within a psychedelic rock framework. Jinx Dawson continues to perform under the Coven name in later years and contributes music to the film Heaven Can Help.