Bewitched's "Rise of the Antichrist" was the successor of the very traditional heavy / power metal output called "At the Gates of Hell". This had been no bad album, nonetheless I was glad to hear that they had modified their style. "Rise of the Antichrist" presents a combination of NWOBHM riffing, smooth guitar lines, thrash elements and ominous choruses. Additionally, the four pale creatures of the album's back cover have not forgotten to generate a black aura, although some old-school solos, for example that of title track, try to provide a counterpoint. Finally, each and every track offers an extremely smooth flow. Only the closer marks an exception, because it is not a song in the narrow sense of the word. The sound collage, probably influenced by some similar pieces of King Diamond, wants to create a horrifying atmosphere, but it just lengthens the playtime of the comparatively short album which clocks in at 33 minutes.
