Bewitched have been one of my favorite Swedish hellraisers since I first slammed into their 2002 album Rise of the Antichrist. That record had this raw, no-bullshit energy that stuck with me, proper old-school fire mixed with catchy, evil hooks that made you want to crank it loud and bang your head until your neck gave out. So when word dropped that these guys were finally back after twenty years with Diabolical Death Mass, I was all in. No resurrection talk needed; they were never really gone, just quiet. Now they're here to remind everyone what proper blackened thrash feels like.
Bewitched plays that classic black/thrash sound - fast, aggressive, and dripping with attitude. Think early Bathory's raw edge crossed with Motorhead's balls-to-the-wall drive and plenty of straight heavy metal punch thrown in. It's the kind of stuff that sits alongside bands like Nocturnal Breed or Baphomet’s Blood when they're firing on all cylinders: speedy riffs, snarling vocals, and that unmistakable melodic Swedish touch underneath all the chaos. Nothing overly polished or modern, just pure old-school fury that hits like it should.
The whole album carries this vicious, wild spirit. It's short, sharp, and full of non-stop energy - barely over half an hour, but it never lets up. There's a real sense of malice and rebellion running through it, like a proper satanic rock 'n' roll ritual that's equal parts heavy metal anthem and blackened assault. The production keeps things raw and visceral without sounding muddy, letting the riffs breathe while the drums pound away like a ritual gone mad. It feels honest, energetic, and completely unconcerned with fitting into whatever trend is happening this week. Just straight-up evil metal that knows exactly what it is.
A few tracks stand out even on first spin. The title track "Diabolical Death Mass" comes roaring in right after the short intro and sets the tone perfectly - galloping riffs, snarling delivery, and that anthemic quality that makes you want to throw the horns. Other cuts keep the momentum high with savage riffing and catchy, almost punkish aggression that echoes the best parts of their earlier work without just copying it. The whole thing flows like one relentless attack, blending speed, melody, and pure heaviness in a way that feels natural rather than forced.
After waiting two decades, Diabolical Death Mass delivers exactly what I hoped for as a longtime fan! Bewitched sounds hungry, focused, and ready to thrash. If you've been missing that old-school blackened heavy metal kick with real bite, this one is essential. Volume up! Let the ritual take over, and remember why these Swedes earned their spot in the underground all those years ago. Hell yeah!
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