Perfect way to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Omnium Gatherum
Omnium Gatherum has been a staple of the metal world for years. The group originates out of Karhula, Finland, and has since toured all over the world. The band consists of Markus Vanhala on lead guitar, Aapo Koivisto on keyboards and backing vocals, Jukka Pelkonen on lead vocals, Mikko Kivistö on bass and Atte Pesonen on drums.
Now, Omnium Gatherum celebrates its 25th anniversary with the release of Origin, their ninth album overall, and their first release since The Burning Cold in 2018. Like the groups’ previous albums, this record takes on a melodic death metal sound, making these songs relatively palatable.
“Emergence,” the opening track, doesn’t rely on vocals, and it doesn’t need to. Vanhala’s guitar skills carry the song, making for an enjoyable way to kickstart the album. “Paragon” is another strong track, as Pelkonen tells a story about the rejection of innocence and the pursuit of freedom. Koivisto compliments this with strong background vocals, making for an enjoyable song to new and old metal fans. Halfway through the album, “Fortitude” proves to be another worthy addition to the album, with its strong vocals complemented by even stronger guitar and drums roughly two minutes into the song.
“Reckoning” is another exceptional track on Origin. Vanhala at the guitar and Pesonen’s drumming make for one of the best instrumentals on the entire album with its strong pace and showcase of Pelkonen’s singing abilities.
“Friction” may be the best all-around on Origin. Pesonen kicks off the song with an intense drum solo, setting the tone for the rest of the song, which is about the internal conflict everyone faces within themselves. The instrumentals perfectly complement Pelkonen’s deep vocals and Koivisto’s lighter vocals. These two different tones further establish the theme of conflict. “Solemn” is a bittersweet but enjoyable listening experience. At times, it’s very intense, and at other times, it lives up to the name of the song with a sense of calm and melody.
Altogether, Origin doesn’t contain a single bad song. Each track has well-developed lyrical content and instrumentals. Furthermore, new metal fans will appreciate the moderation found throughout the album. The vocals are audible and clear, making these tracks sound more like conventional rock than metal at times. But old metal fans can still appreciate the high-quality instrumentals and intense vocals. Overall, this record makes for a perfect way to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the band.
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