“I have autumn in my heart tonight and the summer vine.”
Omnium Gatherum have been a unit now for 25 years, throughout that time have honed their craft in melodic death metal. During the time between The Burning Cold and Origins, Omnium Gatherum’s line-up saw the addition of renowned musicians Mikko Kivistö (bass) and Atte Pesonen (drums). Origin, their latest full length & ninth record together as a unit, aims to expand an already strong discography for the Finnish group.
Origin’s opener, “Emergence”, introduces the album with paced guitars and drums. Setting the stage for what is to come and perking up the ears, the opener ensures listeners will be wide awake with an electrifying shock to the system. Pelkonen’s harsh low vocals drive the first full track on the album in “Prime“. These are underlined by the tempo on the drums, filled out with the guitar melodies from Vanahala, while the key work quietly moves around the track. Closing out in emphatic fashion, “Emergence” gives Origins a strong start.
“Wake up, time to wake up” growls Pelkonen, ordering listeners throughout the track “To be what you were meant to be”. The hearty lyrics are accompanied by traditional headbanging rhythm guitars to give the track its life, with clean vocals making its way in to add a little bit of soul to it. “Reckoning” is a standout track for Pesonen on drums, with the infectious groove and peddle work making it difficult not to tap along to. This alongside the skilled guitar work combine to give the track a really solid rhythm. One of the slower tracks on Origins comes next with “Fortitude“, choir vocals present throughout and slowed instrumentals give the track its sombre tone. The track comes into its own on the second half as clean vocals confess “Above and beyond, they go by,” leading into some intricate guitar work soaked in melancholy.
Normal service is resumed on “Friction”, with brutal guitar riffs bring Origins‘ aggression back. Despite the continued excellent drum work and grandiose solo, the familiar nature of the structure and sound result in the track passing by as a run of the mill death metal track. “Tempest” notches up the aggression to ensure it doesn’t fall into the same trap, with the headbanging guitars and low growls making a welcome return. As Pelkonen reaches the line “How can you save yourself by blaming everyone else?”, the aggression comes into full swing, before crescendoing in the latter half.
“Unity” is a pleasant listen with the keys playing a larger role to accompany the sturdy rhythm on the guitar and drums. A shorter track would have been potentially more welcome here before the album heads into its near nine-minute closer. “Solemn” sees many of the themes explored in the album culminate in this lengthy closer, the talent of each member put to the test to carry the track throughout. While the length of “Solemn” might seem a burden on first inspection of the track times, the melodies and transitions make it for an inspired listen.
When a band reaches their ninth album, there can concerns of stagnancy or deterioration. Thankfully with Origins, Omnium Gatherum have shown they are still able to produce quality music this far into their career. Held together by skilled drumming and excellent guitar melodies, Origins is an album of experience and craftmanship. Although as an album it does not push the genre to any new limits, or offer up much deviation from the tried and tested structures of the genre, those seeking out a solid and enjoyable melodic death metal album will be pleased with Origins as a whole.
7.5/10