The Lichtlaerm Audio Gehenna is a high gain distortion pedal and preamp built for metal guitarists. Delicious Audio described it on launch as "an ambitious distortion pedal/preamp with 2 switchable gain stages created with the metal guitarist in mind"1. Lichtlaerm says its tonal range covers the whole spectrum of heavy music, "from classic NWOBHM to early 2000s Core-music, from raw Black and Death Metal to super tight and modern Djent"2.
It sits in a compact high gain lineup alongside the Altar, Medusa and Thorn, and Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson called the current edition "truly a fantastic Metal Distortion All-rounder" with "amazing poise and precision"3.
What it does and how to use it
Lichtlaerm designed the Gehenna to work two ways: "as a distortion pedal in front of a clean amp but also lends itself for use as a preamp due to it's immense output level and flexible EQ"2. In practice that means you can run it into a clean amp like any distortion pedal, or use its output level and EQ as your main gain stage feeding a power amp or recording setup.
The maker points to two features that set it apart from other distortion and preamp pedals. First, "a set of passive presence & depth controls really set this thing apart from other distortion/preamp pedals"2. Second, the Gehenna has "a unique active output stage that hold the sound together by attenuating harsh frequencies while bringing out the musical mids at high level settings"2, which the maker says keeps the tone usable when the Level control is pushed hard.
Controls
The current edition carries ten controls and two footswitches4:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain I | First gain stage setting |
| Gain II | Second gain stage setting |
| Low Cut | Proprietary cut control, up to 1.5 kHz4 |
| Active Bass | Active bass EQ, 40 to 100 Hz4 |
| Active Lo-Mid | Active low-mids EQ at 400 Hz4 |
| Active Hi-Mid | Active high-mids EQ at 1 kHz4 |
| Active Treble | Active treble EQ, 4 kHz to 10 kHz4 |
| Level | Output level |
| Depth | Passive depth control4 |
| Presence | Passive presence control4 |
The Gain footswitch toggles between the two gain stages1. Lichtlaerm explains the idea: "we added a second, footswitchable gain-control that let's you switch between two levels of gain inside the insane spectrum that the Gehenna offers"2. That gives you two dialed-in gain settings reachable mid-song, a common setup for players who need rhythm and lead tones from one box.
The EQ is a four-band active design. Lichtlaerm says "an active dual-band mids control allows for tailoring of both high- and low-mids separately"2, which matters for metal players who need to carve out room in a dense mix or push mids forward for clarity at high gain.
The Low Cut control
Low Cut is the pedal's signature feature. It is Lichtlaerm's "proprietary cut-control that allows you to dial in different gain structures, saturation types and adjust the frequency response to the tuning of your guitar"2, cutting up to 1.5 kHz4. For downtuned and extended range players, that means tightening flubby low frequencies so the attack stays defined, and matching the pedal's response to how low the guitar actually goes.
Versions and history
The Gehenna has gone through several revisions, and the used market reflects that. Guitar Pedal X documented the changes4:
- Original (early 2020): The second footswitch was labeled Boost, with a 3-band EQ, Level and Gain, plus M/T/V and Brit / Am voicing switches.
- In-between version: Nine controls, with the 4-band EQ (Lo and Hi Mids) appearing, but no Gain I/II yet. Instead it had Range and Boost mini knobs and a 3-way voicing switch: Mdrn / Tight / Fat.
- Current version: Ten controls with Gain I and Gain II, the Low Cut control and the passive Depth and Presence controls, in a genuine Gold Plate finish for the graphics.
Karlsson noted of the current edition that "Daniel really has done a wonderful job on calibrating this edition of the pedal"4, referring to the builder's calibration work on the latest revision.
What reviewers said
Guitar Pedal X reviewed the current ten-control Gehenna in May 2024 and was positive about its low end, punch and control, calling it "a quite superb precision Heavy Metal instrument"4. In the site's 2025 roundup of compact high gain and metal pedals, the Gehenna was again included, described as "truly a fantastic Metal Distortion All-rounder"3.
"The Gehenna is a quite superb precision Heavy Metal instrument"
Price and availability
Lichtlaerm sells the Gehenna direct at €199.00 including EU VAT, plus shipping2. Regional pricing as reported by Guitar Pedal X in May 2024: $219 USD at Eastside Music Supply in the US, £179 at Joe's Pedals in the UK, and $359 AUD from Pedal Empire in Australia4.
All Lichtlaerm pedals are made to order, and production may take 14 to 20 days before the pedal ships1. Ordering direct from the maker means a wait of roughly two to three weeks for the build itself.
Videos
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Kyle Bull
Questions
Can the Lichtlaerm Audio Gehenna be used as a preamp?
Yes. Lichtlaerm designed it primarily as a distortion pedal in front of a clean amp, but the maker says its immense output level and flexible EQ also lend it to use as a preamp. Players running it straight into a power amp or interface can treat it as the gain and EQ stage of the signal chain.
What power supply does the Gehenna need?
It runs on a 9V center-negative power supply, the same standard polarity as most modern pedals, so it works with typical isolated pedalboard supplies. No battery or alternative voltage option is listed by the maker.
What does the Gain footswitch do on the Gehenna?
The Gain footswitch toggles between the two gain stages, Gain I and Gain II. Lichtlaerm added the second footswitchable gain control so you can switch between two preset gain levels within the pedal's range, useful for moving between rhythm and lead tones without touching a knob.
How long does a Gehenna take to arrive?
Lichtlaerm builds pedals to order, and production may take 14 to 20 days before shipping. If you order direct from the maker's webstore, expect roughly a two to three week wait on top of shipping time.
How much does the Lichtlaerm Gehenna cost in the US?
In the US, Eastside Music Supply listed the Gehenna at $219 USD as of May 2024. Direct from Lichtlaerm in the EU it is €199 including EU VAT, and UK and Australian dealers have listed it at £179 and $359 AUD respectively.
What is the Low Cut control on the Gehenna?
Low Cut is Lichtlaerm's proprietary cut control, cutting up to 1.5 kHz. The maker says it lets you dial in different gain structures and saturation types and adjust the frequency response to match your guitar's tuning, tightening the low end for downtuned or extended range instruments.
Sources (4)
- Lichtlaerm Audio Gehenna Metal Distortion/Preamp, Delicious Audio, 2023-03-06
- Gehenna Distortion Preamp, LICHTLÆRM AUDIO
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-11-27
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-05-17
