metalhead gallery

Genre: Black Metal

1. The Shivering Voice of the Ghost
2. Unearthly Loose Palace
3. Angelwings and Ravenclaws
4. The Conquering of Hirsir
5. Morningstar

Download at Mediafire
Gehenna at Myspace

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Some of you may already be familiar with this unique black metal band, but probably with their later material, which is absolutely nothing like their debut. This album is one of my favorite black metal albums, not necessarily the best, but definitely a fun favorite. I just absolutely love the style of BM these guys play on their First Spell. It's sort of passive-sounding, with very dark and gloomy overtones, unlike traditional black metal. A lot of it is midpaced with brilliant keyboard work. The keys give this album an atmospheric and uplifting sound, while the rest of the music is grim and mysterious. Contrast is always intriguing to fiddle around with, and when done right, can turn any album into a masterpiece.

The vocals are the second key to this record, the first being the keys. I wouldn't call the vocals gutturals, but rather "raspy whispers". There's a certain "edge", a pained, agonizing, tortured atmosphere that accompanies this album because of the vocals. You know how winter and coldness is often associated with black metal? Well Gehenna is one of the stronger bands supporting that observation. The general rhythm and feel of the album is one of a looming battlefield, in the midst of winter, the cold wind howling all around you, dark snow stretching as far as the eye can see. Incredibly vivid. I just love this album with some sort of an irrational passion.

It's really too bad it's so short (under 30 minutes), I'm left wanting more, more, MORE!