Try holding head up having embraced Satanism initially - force of evil? (7)

I believe the answer is:

gestapo

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'force of evil?' is the definition.
'Gestapo' can be an answer for 'force' (Nazi secret police). I'm not sure about the 'of evil?' bit.

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gestapo that I've seen before include "Postage to Nazi secret police" , "Notorious secret police" , "State police in Nazi Germany" , "Nazi German police" , "Postage for Hitler's police" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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