Formed in 1995 by erstwhile members of Katatonia, Naglfar, and Ancient Wisdom, Sweden’s BEWITCHED were a devilishly fun proposition for those members to blow off some steam. And from their debut album in 1996 onward for the next decade, the band stood at that forefront of the burgeoning blackthrash resurgence that would gain steam as the ‘90s went on. Originally released in 1997, Pentagram Prayer saw BEWITCHED stripped down to a power-trio, with the longstanding duo of vocalist/guitarist Vargher and bassist Wrathyr backed by mysterious drummer Reaper, who’d depart after this album. In any case, the album keeps apace with their celebrated Diabolical Desecration the year before; if anything, Pentagram Prayer is even more resolutely rocking and less conventionally thrashy. As such, it’s considered by many to be the band’s best album!
