The LICHTLÆRM Audio Gehenna is a high-gain distortion pedal built for heavy metal, and it is designed to pull double duty: LICHTLÆRM Audio says it was made to be used as a distortion pedal in front of a clean amp, but that it also lends itself to use as a preamp thanks to its immense output level and flexible EQ1. Guitar Pedal X classifies it the same way, calling it a Heavy Metal Distortion / Preamp2. If you are weighing it against other distortion pedals or preamp pedals, that dual role is the thing to understand first.
What it does
The maker describes the Gehenna's range in broad metal terms: "from classic NWOBHM to early 2000s Core-music, from raw Black and Death Metal to super tight and modern Djent - it's all in there!"1. Delicious Audio's product page carries the same description of the pedal's reach3.
Controls
The Gehenna's control set is where it differs from a straightforward distortion box:
- Cut control: LICHTLÆRM Audio describes this as a proprietary control that lets you dial in different gain structures and saturation types, and adjust the frequency response to the tuning of your guitar1.
- Presence and depth: a set of passive presence and depth controls, which the maker says "really set this thing apart from other distortion/preamp pedals"1.
- Active output stage: the maker says the Gehenna has a unique active output stage that holds the sound together by attenuating harsh frequencies while bringing out the musical mids at high level settings1.
- Smart Relay: the pedal includes Lichtlaerm Audio Smart Relay technology, a feature also noted in Delicious Audio's coverage of the pedal13.
What reviewers said
Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson, in a 2025 roundup of compact high-gain and heavy metal pedals, wrote: "The Gehenna is truly a fantastic Metal Distortion All-rounder - with - and like the Natas - amazing poise and precision"4. In the site's earlier dedicated write-up, Karlsson called the Gehenna "a quite superb precision Heavy Metal instrument" and said it combines a thunderous bottom end with incredible punch and depth of flavor2.
Videos
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Questions
Can the Gehenna be used as a preamp?
Yes. LICHTLÆRM Audio designed the Gehenna to be used as a distortion pedal in front of a clean amp, but the maker says it also lends itself to use as a preamp because of its immense output level and flexible EQ. Guitar Pedal X likewise classifies it as a Heavy Metal Distortion / Preamp, so it can sit at the end of a board driving a power amp or act as the gain stage of a rig.
What styles of metal does the Gehenna cover?
The maker describes its range as spanning classic NWOBHM to early 2000s Core-music, raw Black and Death Metal, and super tight and modern Djent. Guitar Pedal X's reviewer called it a fantastic metal distortion all-rounder with amazing poise and precision, which lines up with that broad remit.
Sources (4)
- Gehenna Distortion Preamp, LICHTLÆRM AUDIO
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-05-17
- Lichtlaerm Audio Gehenna Metal Distortion/Preamp, Delicious Audio, 2023-03-06
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-11-27
