There really isn't a lot to be said about this third release by Swedish retro-metal icons Bewitched. Most of you are already familiar with the bands first two CDs, "Diabolical Desecration" and "Encyclopedia of Evil", and know exactly what to expect from Pentagram Prayer: more of the same - for those of you not familiar with Bewitched, "more of the same" can be roughly translated as "yet another heavy metal/black thrash retro release".

Overall, I found this CD to be "lighter" than the bands previous output - the focus seems to be geared more towards "rocking" than "thrashing", and on one track (Sacrifice to Satan), they make their intentions abundantly clear, playing an outright AC/DC influenced blues rock riff that had me snickering for quite a while.

Wrapping this up (like I said, there isn't a lot to be said for this), if you liked the first two Bewitched releases, pick up Pentagram Prayer - you won't be disappointed...and if you hated Bewitched in the past, well, this will further fuel the fire as it were.

One last note : having received a promotional copy, I'm at a loss when it comes to any line-up information, but from what I've read in recent interviews, Blackheim (of Katatonia fame) is no longer a part of this project, and his involvement in this release is his last - I'm not sure how much influence he actually had on this CD, but perhaps it's his departure that has led to the loss of any "black thrash" influence ?

© 1998 chorazaim