Biography Gehennah
, Norway in 2007]]Gehennah is a Swedish thrash metal band that formed in 1992. Their lyrics and band looks are mostly comical and parodies the like of traditional metal attitudes. Not to be confused with the Norweigan black metal band Gehenna; the Swedish Gehennah belong to the school of "retro/comedy" thrash metal which also loosely includes Inferno; Bewitched; Cranium and Witchery. While this style was relatively short-lived, its influence has lasted by indirectly inspiring an upsurgence in classic metal bands reforming and/or returning to their roots for their latest albums.
In May 1993, the band entered Studio Forshaga and recorded their first demo entitled "Kill"; of which only 100 copies were ever produced. February 1994 saw Gehennah record their second demo "Brilliant Loud Overlords of Destruction" which, again was only released in 100 copies and led to interest from Primitive Art Records. Much of the material from this demo, such as: "Skeletons In Leather" and "Piss Off, I'm Drinking" would be re-recorded for their debut album "Hardrocker".
Hellcop replaced Captain Cannibal as drummer just prior to the band recording "Hardrocker" in late 1994. The album was released in August 1995 and a video was filmed for the title track at the release party for the album. The EP "No Fucking Christmas" was recorded in October 1995 and saw release by Primitive Art Records as a limited and numbered edition of 500 copies which has since become a rare collectable.
Also around this time, French extreme metal label Osmose Productions took an interest in Gehennah and signed them for two albums. "King Of The Sidewalk" was their first for Osmose, released in 1996. Following the pattern of previous release, most of the album was recorded live in the studio, although Mr. Violence's vocals could not be recorded instantly, reportedly due to heavy drinking. The band themselves were not happy with the final production of the album, although it was well-received in the press, particularly the UK metal magazine "Terrorizer" who chose "King Of The Sidewalk" as an album of the month.
Osmose quickly sent Gehennah on tour throughout Europe with Impaled Nazarene and Angelcorpse to rabid response. In 1997 the band performed at "Hellfest" in Stockholm alongside Dismember; Edge Of Sanity and Necrophobic.
Their second Osmose release "Decibel Rebel" saw a return to a more satisfying sound akin to Gehennah's early style and was released during 1998. At the same type, Primitive Art Records prepared a limited vinyl re-release of "Hardrocker".
Swedish musical groupsThrash metal musical groupsSwedish heavy metal musical groups
History
Gehennah began when four metalheads met at a local gig in Karlstad. Initially playing Venom covers at rehearsals, the members soon began writing their own material. Their original lineup comprised: Mr. Violence on vocals; Ronnie Ripper on bass; Rob Stringburner on guitar and Captain Cannibal on drums.In May 1993, the band entered Studio Forshaga and recorded their first demo entitled "Kill"; of which only 100 copies were ever produced. February 1994 saw Gehennah record their second demo "Brilliant Loud Overlords of Destruction" which, again was only released in 100 copies and led to interest from Primitive Art Records. Much of the material from this demo, such as: "Skeletons In Leather" and "Piss Off, I'm Drinking" would be re-recorded for their debut album "Hardrocker".
Hellcop replaced Captain Cannibal as drummer just prior to the band recording "Hardrocker" in late 1994. The album was released in August 1995 and a video was filmed for the title track at the release party for the album. The EP "No Fucking Christmas" was recorded in October 1995 and saw release by Primitive Art Records as a limited and numbered edition of 500 copies which has since become a rare collectable.
Also around this time, French extreme metal label Osmose Productions took an interest in Gehennah and signed them for two albums. "King Of The Sidewalk" was their first for Osmose, released in 1996. Following the pattern of previous release, most of the album was recorded live in the studio, although Mr. Violence's vocals could not be recorded instantly, reportedly due to heavy drinking. The band themselves were not happy with the final production of the album, although it was well-received in the press, particularly the UK metal magazine "Terrorizer" who chose "King Of The Sidewalk" as an album of the month.
Osmose quickly sent Gehennah on tour throughout Europe with Impaled Nazarene and Angelcorpse to rabid response. In 1997 the band performed at "Hellfest" in Stockholm alongside Dismember; Edge Of Sanity and Necrophobic.
Their second Osmose release "Decibel Rebel" saw a return to a more satisfying sound akin to Gehennah's early style and was released during 1998. At the same type, Primitive Art Records prepared a limited vinyl re-release of "Hardrocker".
Current members
- Mr. Violence : Vocals
- Rob Stringburner : Guitars
- Ronnie "Ripper" Olson : Bass
- HellCop (Micke Birgersson) : Drums
Former member
- Captain Cannibal (1993-1994) : Drums
Discography
- Kill (1993) (Demo, Ltd. to 100 copies)
- Brilliant Loud Overlords of Destruction (Demo, Ltd. to 100 copies)
- Hardrocker (1995) Primitve Art Records
- No Fucking Christmas (1995) Primitive Art Records (7"EP, Ltd. to 500 copies on gold vinyl)
- King of the Sidewalk (1996) Osmose Productions (LP contains one bonus track and was Ltd. to 1000 copies)
- No Fucking Christmas (1997) Primitive Art Records (Re-released as a 12", Ltd. to 1000 copies)
- Rich Kids Don't Play Rock N' Roll (1997) Booze Blues Records (Bootleg live recording, Ltd. to 50 copies on CD)
- Decibel Rebel (1998) Osmose Productions (LP Ltd. to 1000 copies)
- Hardrocker (1998) Primitve Art Records (Re-released on vinyl, Ltd. to 1000 copies)
- Gehennah/Rise And Shine (1999) (Split 7"EP recorded in 1997, containing covers of Lee Hazelwood and Meatloaf)
Compilations
- Hell On Earth- Hail To Misfits (1996) Tribute Records
- Gehennah contribute "Ghouls Nite Out" and "Queenwasp".
- Headbangers Against Disco Vol. 1 (1997) Primitive Art Records
- Volume 1 of a 7"EP trilogy. Gehennah contribute "Discodeath". Also contributing are Sabbat, Bestial Warlust and Inferno.
- World Domination II (1997) Osmose Productions
- A compilation of bands on the Osmose label. Gehennah contribute "Rock N' Roll Patrol" and rare track "Once In A Lifetime Chance".
- In Conspiracy With Satan- A Tribute To Bathory (1998) Hellspawn Records
- Gehannah contribute the classic track Reaper.
- Gehennah's Tribute To Neat Records (19??) Primitve Art Records
- Not much information available for this 7"EP release.
External links
Swedish musical groupsThrash metal musical groupsSwedish heavy metal musical groups
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gehennah
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