When I first heard this, it was on tape, and I seriously had no idea what decade it came from. So, in that regard, Blackheim and co. succeeded in making a timeless record. What we really have here is a homage project to those great bands of yore, Venom, Mercyful Fate, etc. The main difference here is that these guys can play, and the production is ten times better than it ever could have been back then! I actually think it was the bass drum sound that gave away when this record was made. Overall, a really fun album that brings us all back to the "glory" days of satano-metal. Throaty vocals, buzzsaw guitar and relentless drumming combine to form the core of Bewitched, who pretty much recycle a bunch of classic riffs and bring them effortlessly into the '90s. It's one of those albums that you can put on in the backround, but every once in a while a riff will just grab you. So, like 80's metal, once that riff grabs you, it's there to stay! Not going for variety here but hey, this is some kick ass old school metal here, not "retro" at all to me because it's like these guys went into a coma 10 years ago and just woke up. A little lacking in coherence but more than makes up for it in riffage. Sick of 10,000 riffs a song that you can never remember? Pick this up and revel in the memories.
7 1/2 out of 10

On Diabolical Desecration, it seems that Blackheim recieved all of the credit, and appeared to be the main driving force behind the band. Imagine my initial disappointment when I realized that he only contributed to 2 songs (writing) and 6 overall (singing only)! Buuut, it seems as though, as brilliant as his riff writing abilities may be, his role in the band was overrated, as Vargher more than holds his own here. Taking the ideas spawned on the first release, Bewitched here decide to make a go at forsaking the goodtime attitude and just blowing power metal of the '90s straight out of the water. There was some serious riffage on the first release, but there was a scattered atmosphere present which detracted from the album overall. Things are fixed here, and Pentagram Prayer just bulldozes through 12 (why only 12 and not 13? How could they resist???) tracks of some of the best stuff since the German attack 10 years ago. Taking solo guitar duties, Vargher displays his songwriting brilliance, creating riff after memorable riff. I totally just eat this stuff up. The rhythm section is there, but the focus here is guitars, guitars, guitars, which are supported well and never overpowered. This is a must have for those let down by the supposed Jag Panzer comeback, or just get hives at the thought of Judas Priest wheeling their way up to the stage. Satanic imagery is a bit much for me, but it reminds me of the half seriousness of the mid '80s, so I can bypass this aspect. Kick ass!
8 1/2 out of 10