GEHENNA - Murder
November 10, 2000, 23 years ago
(Moonfog)
The Norwegian attack continues in 2000 with the third of a triarchy of delectable black death, the first two being Immortal's Damned In Black and Enslaved's work of genius, Marduam - Beyond The Within. Murder is assaulting and ominous, a veritable concoction of Morgoth's Odium and Tom Warrior reverence. Even Slayerisms are quite noticeable on Murder, although relentless blastbeats were never the thrash king's forte. Nevertheless, Murder's no-holds-barred approach is seething and addictive, especially on 'Worthy Exit', 'Devout Dementia', 'Trail Of Blood' and the menacing title track. But amidst the wall of black, Murder is a grower, the roots of hostility striving to find the recesses of your mind and rip n' tear them apart. 'To The Grave' draws blood in just under three minutes, while 'Perfect Hate' swings like a pendulum, methodically planning attack before all hell breaks loose and bodies begin to fall. While the Swedes have continued to lead the Scandinavian attack for the past few years, the Norwegians may just blindside them when they're not looking. Mr. Bruni calls Gehenna the Slayer of black metal and he's bang right on.
