Artist: Grand Bewitchment
Country: USA
Label: Damnation’s Edge Productions
Formats: 7″ EP / CD EP
Year: 2025
After having put out a demo tape and a split tape in 2021 and 2023 respectively, both released through the band’s own Damnation’s Edge Productions imprint, Grand Bewitchment returns with a 2-track 7” EP / CD EP. Grand Bewitchment might not be the most prolific band around and haven’t landed on everybody’s radar, but when a band decides to release a 7” EP, a format that I deeply love, my interest is immediately peaked. If you are one of those who have not yet heard of this American trio, then this 7″ EP (or CD) filled with solid Black/Death Metal is a great introduction…
The 7” EP format is the ideal way for both the band and the listener to discover a band, and offers a bit more in terms of visual satisfaction as opposed to a demo cassette. Well, at least, that was the case for a few decades, until these little pieces of vinyl almost got as expensive to make as a full-length vinyl record. But still, it holds the same sort of vibe. In this particular case, Grand Bewitchment offers two tracks, one on each side, with the A-side being the most interesting in terms of musicality.
‘Sigils Of Steel’ is a minute tracks that shows the band has taken some considerable steps from their earlier recordings. It offers just over 4 minutes of a Black/Death Metal amalgam that doesn’t feel so far removed from what Behemoth was doing for a good couple of years. Maybe slightly less versatile and a bit more mean in guitar tone. Perhaps you could best describe Grand Bewitchment as a band that mixes the best of later Behemoth and Belphegor, meticulously seeking the intersection between Black Metal’s dark character and Death Metal’s powerful riffs. It also reminds me a bit of Enshadowed, a significantly lesser known band from Greece whose earlier recordings are well worth some attention. But regardless of how you’d classify Grand Bewitchment, the trio well shows off their impressive skills on this brand new track – not only in terms of captivating song writing, but also when it comes to the overall balancing act between genres.
Although ‘Blood’, on the B-side, is still interesting to listen to, it may be of slightly less value. This is because it is not an original Grand Bewitchment song, but a cover of Kettle Cadaver. Kettle Cadaver used to be an interesting Industrial/Death Rock band that came to an abrupt ending with the suicide of their frontman Edwin Borsheim (who is said to be an Aragorn look-alike). While the original is a hard hitting and heavy rocking track, Grand Bewitchment made it completely their own. So much that upon first listen I didn’t realise it was a cover track. Definitely worth a listen and it again shows the band’s talent.
