Gehenna (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Gehenna
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Stavanger, Norway
Genre = Black metal
Blackened death metal
Years_active = 1993 - present
Label = Necromantic Gallery Productions
Head Not Found
Cacophonous Records
Moonfog Productions
ANP Records
Indie Recordings
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://gehenna666.cjb.net/ Official Gehenna Website]
Current_members = Sanrabb
Dolgar
Amok
Dirge Rep
Past_members =
Notable_instruments =

Gehenna is a Norwegian Death/Black metal band.

Biography

Gehenna was formed in January, 1993 by original members Sanrabb, Dolgar, and Sir Vereda. Their first demo, entitled "Black Seared Heart", was recorded between the 3rd and 7th of June 1993 in Soundsuite Studios, and was released as a cassette. Around this same time, a 7" titled "Ancestors of The Darkly Sky" was released by Necromantic Gallery Productions.

Shortly after the release of these two recordings, Sir Verada left the band due to legal problems, and was replaced by Dirge Rep. The band also enlisted Svartalv as bass player during this time.

Up until this time, the band had yet to play any live shows. It was not until February, 1994 that the band made their live debut.

In 1994 Sarcana joined the band and added keyboards to the mix.

In March, 1994, the band entered Soundsuite Studios to record their debut album, "First Spell". It was released as an MCD on Head Not Found Records. "First Spell" generated a larger fan-base for the band, and led to them signing 2-album record deal with Cacophonous Records.

In 1995, Gehenna released their second full-length, "Seen Through The Veils of Darkness". This record featured a guest appearance by Garm of Arcturus and Ulver doing vocals on the track "Vinterriket". This release cemented Gehenna as a strong band in the black metal scene.

Shortly before the release of Gehenna's next record, Svartalv left the band. Noctifer, who had joined the band as Svartalv's replacement, was unable to meet the demands of being a member of Gehenna. After 6 months, during the recording sessions of Gehenna's third release, Noctifier left the band.

E.N. Death, a friend of the band, was asked to sit in as a session bassist to finish the recording. After also joining the band on tour, he was asked to join the band full-time.

In 1996, Gehenna's third release, "Malice", was released on Cacophonous Records.

Sarcana and Dirge Rep both left the band shortly after a touring in support of "Malice". Damien was added as Sarcana's replacement on keyboards and Blod took up drumming duties.

With the new members, Gehenna's sound changed a bit. Blod brought a death metal background with him, and it influenced Gehenna in a much heavier way.

In 1998, Gehenna signed to Moonfog Productions and immediately released an EP "Deadlights", which was a sample to their fans of what to expect from the newer Gehenna material. This EP was later followed by their Moonfog debut LP, "Adimiron Black".

During their tenure with Moonfog Productions, Gehenna would also release "Murder" 2000 and "WW" 2005.

In late 2005 Gehenna signed with ANP Records. They are currently working on a new full-length LP that is tentatively scheduled to be released in late 2007.

In December, 2007, Gehenna announced that the previous contract signed with ANP Records was cancelled and that Gehenna signed with Norwegian based "Indie Recordings". Dirge Rep was also announced as a full-time member.

Members

*Sanrabb - Vocals, Guitars
*Dolgar - Vocals, Bass
*Amok, Guitars
*Dirge Rep, Drums

Former members

*Blod (1998-2001) - Drums
*Damien (1998-1999) - Keyboards
*Dirge Rep (Per Husebø) (1993-1997 2007-) - Drums
*E.N. Death (Frode Sivertsen) (1996-2000) - Bass
*Frost - Session Live Drums
*Kine (2000-2005) Synths
*Nekro - Guitars
*Noctifer (1996) - Bass
*S. Winter - Drums
*Sarcana / Nina (1994-1997) - Keyboards
*Sir Vereda (1993) - Drums
*Svartalv / Kenneth (1993-1996) - Bass

Discography

*"Ancestor Of The Darkly Sky" (EP), 1993
*"Black Seared Heart" (demo), Necromantic Gallery Productions 1993
*"First Spell" (Full-length), Head Not Found Records 1994
*"Seen Through The Veils of Darkness (The Second Spell)" (Full-length), Cacophonous Records 1995
*"Malice (Our Third Spell)" (Full-length), Cacophonous Records 1996
*"Black Seared Heart" (Re-Release of BSH Demo, with bonus tracks), Holycaust Records 1996
*"Deadlights" (EP), Moonfog Productions 1998
*"Adimiron Black" (Full-length), Moonfog Productions 1998
*"Murder" (Full-length), Moonfog Productions 2000
*"WW" (Full-length), Moonfog Productions 2005

External links

* [http://www.ludewigs.net/gehenna/ Official Gehenna Website]
* [http://www.moonfog.no/artists.asp?art=4 Gehenna] on Moonfog Productions website
* [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=162871902/ Indie Recordings MySpace] - Gehenna's current record label
* [http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=2155 Gehenna's] entry at Encyclopaedia Metallum