“What is dead may never die.”
A phrase often used by House Greyjoy and its followers (fans of Game of Thrones will recognize it), but in the case of Bewitched, it doesn’t really apply. As the band themselves stated, they never died—despite a twenty-year absence from the studio.
The album opens with a traditional intro, setting the stage for the old school ritual that follows. And it hits immediately with the title track Diabolical Death Mass and Into the Fire. No unnecessary buildup—the band goes straight for the throat.
Next comes Crossing the Styx, a black/thrash epic and one of the two standout tracks of the record. With Black Spells & Unclean Spirits, Bewitched lean back into their Venom/Bathory roots, with a touch of Motörhead grit thrown in for that essential dirty rock ’n’ roll feel.
The band continues with their classic “Ripper” theme on (Fear The) Revenge Of The Ripper, arguably one of the most addictive tracks here, driven by a strong punk attitude. From that point on, tracks like By Satan Enslaved, Vicious And Wild, The Witch Spell, and Those Of The Devil Born follow the same tried-and-true formula—beer, sweat, and nitroglycerin—keeping the intensity high, even if there are no major surprises.
And while by then you’ve already had a solid dose of blackened thrash, Diabolical Death Mass (at least for me) saves the best for last. Enforcer Of Evil could easily have been written by Slayer in 1983: a whirlwind of blackened thrash that grabs you from the first seconds and throws you straight into the pits of hell.
With this release, the Swedes return not only to the studio, but also to their original home, Osmose, paying tribute to the era that established them in the ’90s (Diabolical Desecration, Pentagram Prayer). The result is raw, violent, and completely straight to the point. Listening to it feels like being packed into a small 300-cap venue, with sweat and beer in the air, your neck on the verge of snapping from headbanging—if the mosh pit hasn’t already swallowed you
whole.
If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll love it.
If you’re looking for something new or groundbreaking with a modern sound, you’re better off looking elsewhere.
A very strong comeback.
8.5/10
Dinos Karras
