GEHENNA - First Spell
Tracklisting:
1)The Shivering Voice Of The Ghost
2)Unearthly Loose Palace
3)Angelwings And Ravenclaws
4)The Conquering Of Hirsir
5)Morningstar
Lineup:
Sarcana - Keyboards
Dirge Rep - Drums
Svartalv - Bass
Dolgar - Guitar
Sanrabb - Vocals & Guitar
This is Gehenna's debut EP of a spooky kind of.....'Ghost Metal' I think. At least, that is the best description I can think of. The vocal style is grim, but not extreme, but also soft and not at all harsh. Believe me, it is hard to sum up in words the style of this band. Keyboards are used a lot, sometimes they are the main instrument, which the others orbit around. I was quite impressed with this. An original style which takes Black Metal into a different dimension. My only problem is, that just as you are getting into the album, it is over. Still, it is a great EP, and if you can find a copy, get one.
Rating:
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GEHENNA - Seen Through The Veils Of Darkness (The Second Spell)
Tracklisting:
1)Lord Of Flies
2)Shairak Kinnummh
3)Vinterriket
4)A Witch Is Born
5)Through The Veils Of Darkness
6)The Mystical Play Of Shadows
7)The Eyes Of The Sun
8)A Myth...
9)Dark Poems Author
Lineup:
Dolgar - Rhythm guitar and Vocals
Dirge Rep - Drums and Tambourine
Svartalv - Bass and Backing Vocals
Sanrabb - Lead Guitar and Vocals
Sarcanna - Keyboards and Organs
I was greeted with a shock when I first played this CD. My openeing statement was something like: "What the hell happened to the vocals?". For, you see. Gehenna no longer play what is known as 'Ghost Metal', which worked to a great effect. They have lost that aspect of their sound and replaced it with a more traditional Black Metal approach. I was quite sad to learn of this, BUT Gehenna have released one HELL of an album. This, their debut full-length, and dubbed 'The Second Spell' is a solid release which stands head and shoulders above what passes for Black Metal these days. The synth-laden songs are all very well played. Such a new band sounds as though they have been playing Black Metal for years, as each musician has mastered his (and her) instruments. The three (!) vocalists work very well, and none other than Garm from Ulver performs guest lead vocals on track 3. Dirge Rep is a fantastic drummer, who can be performing highly technical pieces one minute, and then clattering and smashing away similar to the stuff Hellhammer comes out with. I recommend this album to anyone who likes no-bullshit Black Metal accompanied by some great synth sections. This is a very good album.
Rating:
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GEHENNA - Malice (The Third Spell)
Tracklisting:
1)She Who Loves The Flames
2)Made To Suffer
3)Touched And Left For Dead
4)Bleeding The Blue Flame
5)Manifestation
6)Ad Arma Ad Arma
7)The Pentagram
8)Malice
9)The Word Became Flesh
10)Before The Seventh Moon
Lineup:
Sanrabb - Lead Guitar And Vocals
Dolgar - Rhythm Guitar And Vocals
Sarcana - Keyboards
Dirge Rep - Drums
Noctifer - Bass
Dubbed 'Our Third Spell' this is Gehennas latest and greatest work to date. I was wondering how they could better an album as good as 'Seen Through The Veils Of Darkness', but when I played it for the first time, I immediately realised that the key was originality. Yes, we see Gehenna using many new tricks to make their winning formula even better. One song that particularly stands out like a sore thumb is the amazing 'Ad Arma Ad Arma'. The first 7 minutes or so sees the usual Gehenna precision at work, but then the music fades into a long sampled section, almost Industrial music, which then works its way back towards the Gehenna we are used to. The whole album oozes class, and there are some amazing tracks on here, like 'Touched And Left For Dead' and 'Bleeding The Blue Flame'. If you want an original, well-played slab of Norwegian perfection, then you can't go wrong. Buy it!!!
Rating:
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