One Listen Review
1st Listen 5 Nov 25
Reviewed 6 Nov 25
Omnium Gatherum – May the Bridges We Burn Light the Way
Century Media
Released 7 Nov 25
In 2003, Omnium Gatherum released their debut album, ‘Spirits and August Light’ and a mere 22 years later, we now have their 10th album, May the Bridges We Burn Light the Way. Throughout the years, they have been true purveyors of melodic death metal. In truth, if it wasn’t for the magnificent guttural vocals of Jukka Pelkonen, you would be hard-pushed to identify this as death metal.
The hard fact is that the band deliver albums of rigorously high quality. You hear the opening track of which the album gets its name and you know that this is an Omnium Gatherum album. The omnipresent guitar tone is there, the drums are abused in fantastic fashion and the band just seem to have the rarest of commodities in that they know who they are and they know how to present themselves.
I first heard the band in 2013, when I reviewed Beyond for Rocknreel reviews (now defunct). I mistakenly gave it 4 ½ out of 5 before placing it above many 5 star albums in my end of year lists. It is an excellent album – go listen to it. May the Bridges…. lacks the magic that I found in 2013, but there are stand out moments.
‘The Last Hero’ is dynamite. With a fast, energetic and upbeat riff, it powers along, leaving no stone unturned in the bands desire to impress you. Simple, effective and enjoyable.
‘The Darkest City’ is a
slower track, and the longest. It’s length allows exploration and the impressive drumming and Pelkonen’s growl are almost outdone by the clean vocal harmonies. It feels like the focal point of the album, whether it is meant to be or not.
Alas, ‘Walking Ghost Phase’ is a subtle drop in quality, although nowhere near enough to derail the album. It seems to lack the sense of oomph the album delivers. It was released as a single and so, if you check it out, you will have a sense of how good the rest of the album is.
May the Bridges We Burn Light the Way will not be found on many end of year lists. It is not surprising –why would it be, the band have been at this for 30 years or so – it is just a high quality, inherently listenable album that you will enjoy.
Omnium Gatherum do not do poor albums. They provide classic melodic death metal that you will greet as an old friend before loosening your neck muscles.
Listen to it and bathe in the glory of Omnium Gatherum.
The DevilsHorns 
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