Wary as ever when I'm about to listen to a black metal band I've not previously heard of, I pressed play for the first time on Bewitched's 'Spritual Warfare' and it immediately brought a smile to my lips which (allowing for jaw-ache) didn't leave them until the entire album had played out. Yup, it's a good ‘un.

Comparisons could be made with contemporary masters of the black arts Vreid, as well as Carpathian Forest or Satyricon and it even brings Venom and pre-"Chaos A.D." Sepultura to my mind.

In common with those bands/albums mentioned above, 'Spiritual Warfare' has dirty production, and the guitars have that continuous movement familiar to Vreid's 'Raped By Light' or Carpathian Forest's 'Skiend Hans Lik'. Not that they sound cluttered but if you're familiar with those two tracks you'll know that; it's just good, simplistic riffage.

Unlike a lot of black metal bands, Bewitched have audible vocals (which is another similarity with Venom and Sepultura since the vocals are halfway between the throaty growls of Cronos and a young Max Cavalera). And it turns out that lyrically Bewitched pass muster too, using tell-it-like-it-is simple but effective with lyrics such as 'There's no joy in life' in 'Glorious Are The Ways Of Death'.

It's a difficult decision to pick out a favourite track because they're all stunners but if I had a gun to my head I'd say 'This Is Goodbye' for its great riffs and the nice drawn-out solo, or the atmospheric title track.

'Spiritual Warfare' is modern, straight-ahead thrashy old school black metal (what a mouthful!) that is a must for fans of the genre. I'm off to buy my copy now…

*****

Review by Amanda Hyne

Band website