OMNIUM GATHERUM „Years in Waste”

Music: Melodic Death
Website: http://www.omniumgatherum.org
Duration: 43.51 (10 songs)


Cool songs: The Fall Went right through here, Waste of Bereavement, Black Seas Cry, Gravesilence.

Don’t you just love it when a band delivers on their potential? Omnium Gatherum’s debut full length of 2003, the wickedly delicious ‘Spirits and August Light’ hinted of a band destined for big things. As good as ‘Spirit’s…’ was, it was the follow up that would prove their worth and longevity. And I’ll be damned if they just haven’t gone and done it in the most glorious fashion. Everything that has arrived out of Finland this year has been extremely impressive (quite contrary to the material we’ve endured from their Scandinavian neighbors in Sweden), and Omnium Gatherum is just about the best of the bunch.

As far as Melodic death metal is concerned, ‘Years in Waste’ is this year’s piece de resistance! This is about as good as it fucking gets punters. And I mean that with total respect to all that have come before them. Perhaps the best thing about this album that it is in fact written by a Finnish metal act and not a Swedish one. Melodic Swedish metal is like an albatross curse at the moment.

Still THAT sound is an important element here – the use of the ‘Gothenburg’ sound is very much a part of what Omnium Gatherum do, but their ‘Finnish-ness’ provides that subtle, and as it so happens, extremely important difference. The difference is in their riff structures (not always ‘thrash/death’ inspired), their more traditional/classic metal partiality, the never-ending melodic lead work and flamboyant atmosphere provided by the sythn’s. Back this with some incredibly tight and smart as fuck song writing, plus a production that will have you heads down in very quick time and the results are simply spectacular.

Like ‘Spirits…’ the only possible downside that punters will find with Omnium Gatherum is the somewhat acquired vocals of frontman Antti Filppu. Once again Antti has opted to forgo the trendy move towards clean vocal sections as others have done, and thus delivers his smart prose in his distinctive dry rasp. Granted Antti doesn’t have a tremendous range or the power of say, a Thomas Lindberg, but in the context of his bands music, the cold bitter aggression his voice emanates works exceptionally well. For the uninitiated, he just takes some getting to use to.

Years in Waste is a superbly written. The energy and drive drips in bucket loads from this album. Each track has something else about it, whether it’s a new riff pattern, a dramatic keyboard section or searing maiden-esque lead work. It is a much faster, much heavier album than Spirits whilst still maintaining that brilliant melodic dynamism the debut so effortlessly captured. Furthermore, Omnium Gatherum has a great ‘emotive’ feel about their song writing, yet it never comes off as ham fisted or trite in any sense.

I cannot recommend this album highly enough. As a Scandinavian melodic death album, it sits at the very top of the tree. None shall surpass it this year folks. If you in any way jaded by this type of sound, I plead with you now; DO NOT IGNORE this album based on those feelings. Omnium Gatherum is a truly exciting band and this album deserves massive exposure. These Finn’s are at the top of their game. Invest immediately.

note: 9.5/10

Tracklist

1. The Fall Went Right Through Here
2. Waste Of Bereavement
3. Misanthropic (Let The Crown Fall)
4. Black Seas Cry
5. It's A Long Night
6. No Moon & No Queen
7. Gravesilence
8. The Nolan's Fati
9. More Withering
10. Auguries Gone