Gehenna

The Profile

Gehenna are a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1993, known for early symphonic/gothic textures on releases like First Spell and a harsher, minimalist streak on later albums.

Formed in Norway in 1993 and part of the Norwegian black metal wave; early material features prominent keyboards and symphonic elements, while later records such as Murder and WW take a rawer approach.

The review focuses on Gehenna’s 1994 EP First Spell, highlighting its symphonic and gothic elements within Norwegian black metal. It praises the elegant, unsettling lyrics, pipe-organ intros, and slow/mid-tempos, while noting a flatter overall dynamic and guitar production taking a back seat to orchestration. Overall verdict: a strong, distinctive debut that stood apart from contemporaries.