It is kind of fitting that some weeks after the loss of Lemmy, we get a release from a band who really epitomise the spirit the icon possessed. Gehennah, a loud and proud four-piece from Sweden formed in the early 90’s and enjoyed a good spell through the decade before calling it quits. 2014 arrives and the noisemakers returned with the well received and statement of intent “Metal Police”. With their Venom meets Motörhead sound, full of no nonsense punky-thrash with some darker elements to it, 2016 is the year Gehennah release their first full length since 1997’s “Decibel Rebel” and well, with a title like that there is only one thing to do – grab some beers, grab some pals and crank this motherfucker up!
From the off, this album pulls no punches. Monstrous sounds hit you right away as “Still The Elite” comes in hot. With a massive sounding rhythm section consisting of relentless drums and a bass tone which just screams Motörhead, it’s a full on sleazy rock and roll number with that attitude which was so prevalent in the early thrash acts. This continues throughout the album, each track being fast paced, full of great rock vibes, catchy hooks and possessing the ability to make you want to jump around and party. Lyrically, it’s quite humorous too, poking fun at ‘poseurs’ in metal, telling tales of wild nights, partying and not giving a shit about how people see you, case in point would be one of the best lyrics I’ve heard in a long time from the track “Scumbag”; ‘I’m the guy that fucked your sister and never called her back, I’m A Scumbag!’. Simply marvellous!!!
Musically though, it’s tight and controlled but at the same time feels hard, fast and loose, having that real proto-metal feel to it. Tone wise, it has that classic sound too, like a really cranked up hard rock-blues sound or full on metallic onslaught depending on the track and like Motörhead, it has some big rock and roll and blues inspired riffs and soloing which goes down like a single jack on the rocks.
Whilst you could say that this is just Venom styled Motörhead inspired sounding songs and some will see this as something which is a negative, I think this real raw and edgier delivery works. Combining two of the most significant and influential bands in Metal and adding a slight modern kick to it does wonders for the sound. Thrashier sounding tracks like “Life Metal Must Die” and “Gehennah Will Destroy You All” sit alongside the more raw and rebellious rock styled ones like “Let’s Fall Off the Wagon”, “Scumbag” and the punk-sounding “Cause We’re a Street Metal Band”. The diversity and subtleties between the main musical deliveries is executed well and it makes for a well rounded album and by the time you hit the closing track, “All of the decadence, None of the success” you’ll feel like you just went 10 rounds with a JD and Amphetamine fuelled Sledgehammer wearing a Stetson and cowboy boots!
It’s impossible to overlook the influence of Motorhead on this album’s sound and delivery, but when you put it into perspective, it just shows how much of an influence Lemmy had on people and it is a musical testament to his legacy. No one will ever replace Motorhead, no one will ever emulate them, but Gehennah aren’t trying to do that on this record, they’re just giving us some filthy rock and fucking roll with a big salute, tip of the hat, raising of the glass and paying their dues to the man who touched so many.
Too Loud to Live, Too drunk to die? Get a listen to this first before you do!
(7.5/10 Fraggle)
05/02/2016 at 2:35 pm
Great review for a top album .