2026 will mark Omnium Gatherum’s thirtieth year as they close 2025 with their tenth studio album, May the Bridges We Burn Light the Way, out November 7, 2025, via Century Media Records. These Finnish melodic death metal giants have reached a milestone that not many bands reach, which doesn’t go unnoticed. The record explores the band’s gratitude for standing strong all these years by capturing the essence of their career, with the opening-to-closing structure similar to 2018’s The Burning Cold. However, its themes dive into darker waters. Meanwhile, the subject is darker than the 2021 record, where the band nearly couldn’t forge ahead after significant lineup changes and a pandemic that brought them to the most optimistic, forward-driven album, Origin.

Now, reflecting on just about everything, leaving small elements and trademarks from their entire catalog from 2003’s Spirits and August Light, to what gave them more global recognition with 2013’s Beyond and 2016’s Grey Heavens. Omnium Gatherum provides a little bit of everything with its unique blend of melodic death metal, from Jukka Pelkonen’s signature vocals to added progressive elements that highlight founder and guitarist Markus Vanhala’s exploratory style.

Known as one of the most active and fan-friendly bands in the scene, Omnium Gatherum are constantly on the road, often prompting the question of how Vanhala balances his time with Insomnium and other musical projects. Their passion for metal, performance, and songwriting continues to shine, with no compromise in quality or creativity. The album’s title was chosen by Markus Vanhala, inspired by a phrase on a stranger’s hoodie spotted in a Chinese airport. The music was recorded across several Finnish studios, including a few eerie industrial spaces that added to the record’s atmosphere.

Despite experimenting with different recording environments, the band describes the album as one that captures the essence of all ten Omnium Gatherum releases in one cohesive experience. It also sets the stage for the band’s next creative evolution, one that may explore something entirely new. Rich in progressive melodies, this release, mixed with melodic death metal arrangements, once again sets Omnium Gatherum apart from the subgenre.

While you can read Metal Insider contributor Emily Schneider’s detailed review here, Metal Insider, a longtime supporter of the band, has put together a separate track-by-track breakdown of the record and an interview with vocalist Jukka Pelkonen, discussing the new record and offering some fun reflections on the band’s milestone.

Check out both below:

Audio Recording:

Transcription:

Did you approach the writing process for the new album differently than you did for the previous records?

Well, not so much. Maybe. It’s usually in a similar kind of thing that goes on, like in pre-production and production parts. The only different thing was that I actually had, like, a vocal producer, Björn Strid from Soilwork. So in that case, it was different. But the whole process, including the music and stuff, was similar to what it’s been for several albums now. It’s that kind of thing that we have discovered, but it works. So why fix it when it’s not broken?

What I read, which I thought was hilarious, was that Markus [Vanhala] spotted a hoodie at the airport and had to convince you to make that the title. How did that work out?

It was great. It was like last year for the tour in China, and actually it was a train station or something like that, or an airport —I’m not sure. But anyway, it’s a big place. And there was this guy with a hoodie that had a similar text. Not word-for-word, but a similar kind of text. And I found the hoodie, and he was like, Okay, that’s cool. And I said, yeah, that’s cool. And he was half joking, like, maybe we could make this an album title.

And I was like, yeah, right. And then it really got into that, and just like said to me, it’ll be really cool, like, can we do it? And I was like, fine. Of course, we can do it. Like, it’s the first time in OG history that you came up with an album title. And it’s cool because he’s the band’s founding member. So it’s cool that the tenth album’s title isn’t by me. It’s by Markus. And that’s basically the story behind it.

Now this album definitely goes in a different direction than the previous record. “Walking Ghost Phase,” I read, deals with more addiction and more of a sad track. What were you aiming to express with those lyrics?

Well, I actually think it’s a sad state of affairs. If one’s whole life is controlled by, for example, a substance or a habit that is not so healthy for you. That’s why there’s also this terrible nuclear accident connection in that song, because things can get really catastrophic if you don’t pay attention to your own health and your mental health and all the abusive sides of yourself. Yeah, that’s like the whole main idea of the song. So it’s more like just taking care of your health, or else.

In that sense, your sanity and stuff like that, you know? Okay, I’m not in charge of anyone. If people want to, they should live their lives however they choose. But there are super risky ways of living that can lead down darker paths one may not be ready for, and that are difficult to get out of.

Now, for this album, which song felt more natural to you to write, and which one took the longest?

Like lyrically speaking, of course. When I got into the zone, it was pretty easy. I write three or four different versions of a song. Like, versions resembling one another, more or less. And, I would say, this, like, “Walking Ghost Phase,” was one of the hardest lyrics because this album also has a loose theme of street things or stories from the streets.

So it’s not something that I’m used to writing about, like in former albums. It’s been totally different stuff, but I’m happy we did it with that loose theme, because it gave me the chance to challenge my skills as a lyricist. So the whole concept of the album was basically a real challenge for me. But, for example, “Walking Ghost Phase” was one of the hardest because the subject itself is quite sensitive. I would say.

Now, speaking of ghosts, you guys recorded the record in some of, like, unique places and eerie settings. Did that influence the atmosphere of the tracks?

I really cannot say. It could have, but those are usually more connected to the spiritual world, whether you believe it or not. So, I really cannot say. On some subconscious level, that kind of thing could happen. But, to say for sure that this really affected that, I cannot say for sure. Like, I don’t have the authority to make those kinds of claims.

A ghost or spirit didn’t help you while you were in there?

I don’t know if it did, good, that’s all right. And that’s good. But if it did —and you know, we have to be able —ghosts or spirits or no ghosts or spirits —we have to be able to stand as a band with our feet. Like, with our head held up high. But it’s a cool idea that kind of thing can or could happen. Possibly. But really, I cannot say

You’d be a completely different band after that.

True.

So, which new track are you more excited about performing live?

Well, “Barricades” is one of my favorite songs of the album, and “Ignite the Flame” is also. But we will see which new album tracks will be in the live set, because, of course, we will play the older songs as well.

But those two, well, they are the faster ones on the album. I’m always really excited to play the quicker songs live because it really can show what the band dynamics and the group dynamics are like in a live situation when everybody has to have that focus to play faster songs in that sense that they are not just played through, they have the power and the strength in them at the same time. And that can sometimes not be easy to achieve. So, for challenge’s sake, those two songs definitely.

Now that you’ve been with Omnium Gatherum for quite some time, has the definition of success changed for you since you started?

Well, in that sense, the dream always was to go around the world and play live shows for as many people as possible, of course, and to metal people all around the world. In that sense, Omnium Gatherum is definitely a successful band. We’re not the biggest band in the world, but our main goal is to share our music with people who really want to see us play live. In that sense, it hasn’t changed so much.

I’ve always been passionate about music, especially playing live shows. That’s one of the reasons we are so active as a live band and try to play as many live shows as possible, after each album that is released. And we are also quite fortunate to be able to reach places like this, even as you are already releasing your tenth album and you are still an active band, because not so many bands can, in a sense, go that far.

So, we are really fortunate and blessed in that we have been able to continue this and play these songs to a variety of people around the world. And that is really successful, and I’m happy about it.

You know, I have to say that, like so many bands lately, have been calling it quits or, you know, constantly changing their singers and everything. And Omnium Gatherum has strived through all the challenges over the years. And you guys are always on the road, with such a devoted fan base. So yeah, that is definitely a way of success. So you’ve really lasted longer than many other bands.

Well, that’s for sure. You know, and that’s so like, this is what I wanted to do. Like, every job and every passion that different people have, they are like, equal and as important as, like something else. And this is what I really wanted to do. And I’ve been, like I said, I’ve been really lucky to be able to do this. Like, so much.

Of course, it’s sometimes stressful and sometimes tiresome to be on the road, with no sleep and always being ready for the next show. But that’s the part that’s like a part of the whole experience. Also, because there have to be some challenges from time to time —like, I’m talking loosely about negative things. And then in retrospect, they may not be so negative that they would appear when experienced that part of the job, basically.

Nothing is 100% perfect.

True.

Now, here’s a fun question. If OG were a drink, what would it be? Beer, whiskey, vodka, or something else?

Nowadays, definitely a beer. We actually made a couple of, like, beers here in Finland. But, definitely a beer. Everyone in this group last year —if it were a drink, it would be a piña colada. I don’t know.

Oh, you should have, if you ever do 70000tons again, get a special signature piña colada drink.

It’s fucking awesome.

Now, you guys do have a devoted fan base all over the world. Especially from the exposure on the cruise, too. What is the most unexpected fan gift you’ve ever received?

Back in the day, the first time we played China, we got this, like, little action figures made from, like, a stage, that looked like somebody had made them by hand —handmade action figures. I still have it somewhere. And I have the microphone there, and that was pretty cool.

And also we have had these, like, drawings of us, and then like some poems with the drawings or something like, you know, like try to make us something from a short story or a novel or something. Those kinds of, like, things that are given to us are the most original in a sense, because people who do those things, they really go through a lot of trouble to make those. And that is very cool.

That whole short story is awesome.

Yeah, exactly.

I did not expect that. If OG was a soundtrack to a video game or movie, what would be the perfect fit for you guys?

For a video, personally, for a video game, for me, what genre? If I had to choose, I would choose, definitely, some role-playing game. We’re not so epic in that Lord of the Rings stuff, but still like a role-playing game. Something like a cyberpunk style or a classic beat ’em up game, like, for example, Street Fighter or something like that. Mortal Kombat. That would be cool.

Yeah, that would be awesome. Now that this album is out, do you guys have plans for album number eleven, or are you just going with the flow?

Now, we’re going by the moment because we have a couple of tours coming, so we have to keep our focus there. And, of course, there are always talks about the next album, but like, not in a year or so —now we focus on this thing, and then we start thinking about the possible next album.

My last question for you is, is there anything else that you want to say or add about the new album?

Come and experience it a lot. And live. So come to the shows. That’s where the magic happens.

Yeah. You guys are coming back to North America soon, so it would be nice to see you.

A lot there. I think this is like the ninth time, which is so cool. Not many bands, even bigger ones from Finland, have been to North America as many times as nine. And it’s just so cool. And we’re bringing —have to advertise — these two cool bands: Aether Realm and Hinayana. We’re getting some of the best. So it’s going to be a sick show.

Metal Insider’s Track-By-Track Review:

01) May The Bridges We Burn Light The Way

An instrumental opener that sets the tone for what’s to come. It’s explorative with experimental movements of expression while remaining fun, heavy, and electronic. It serves as a cinematic introduction that hints at the album’s diversified range.

02) My Pain

A song about betrayal and the anguish of being deceived by someone close: it’s a universal feeling that music often helps process. The track is edgy and dark, blending aggression with progressive and melodic elements. A brutal awakening with signature OG guitar work, especially during the mid-song solo. This one is made for the stage.

03) Last Hero

Another track that will likely shine live. It’s heavy yet catchy, built around an energetic hook. Musically, it reflects the band’s style from the past decade or two, embodying the album’s full-circle theme, a nod to Omnium Gatherum’s evolving sound over their career.

04) The Darkest City

The tone grows darker and heavier, led by a striking opening riff. Lyrically, it delves into life on the streets, the people, their experiences, and the things seen in the shadows of dark alleyways. Musically, it’s slower and more progressive, balancing soothing melodies with blistering heaviness. The medley moves fluidly between light and dark, reflecting the album’s contrasts.

05) Walking Ghost Phase

Despite its grim subject matter with addiction and human struggle, the track carries an oddly optimistic tone. Structurally reminiscent of 2021’s Origin, it remains catchy, layered with electronic and progressive textures.

06) Ignite The Flame

Opening with a progressive, classic intro that evolves into an orchestral-like ballad, the song builds into a powerful melodic eruption. It carries a “Skyline”-style energy while, once again, feeling more exploratory, transcendent, and emotionally charged.

07) Streets Of Rage

An explosive anthem about facing your battles and fighting to survive. Its relentless drive and captivating tone make it another strong candidate for future live performances.

08) Barricades

A fun electronic interlude that quickly transitions into one of the album’s strongest tracks. It’s dynamic, unpredictable, and full of life; the band truly saved the best for last.

09) Road Closed Ahead

The album closes as it began, instrumentally. A four-minute opus that gives a poetic conclusion.

Tour Dates with  Aether Realm & Hinayana

11/16 Boston, MA @ Sonia
11/17 Quebec City, QC @ Source de La Martiniere
11/18 Montreal, QC @ Foufounes Electriques
11/19 Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace
11/20 Detroit, MI @ The Sanctuary
11/21 Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle
11/22 Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s
11/23 Minneapolis, MN @ Skyway Theater (Studio B)
11/24 Kansas City, MO @ Warehouse on Broadway
11/25 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
11/26 Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall
11/28 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
11/29 Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre
11/30 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
12/01 Sacramento, CA @ Goldfield Midtown
12/02 Los Angeles, CA @ 1720
12/03 San Diego, CA @ Brick by Brick
12/04 Mesa, AZ @ The Rosetta Room
12/05 El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse Bar & Grill
12/06 San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
12/07 Dallas, TX @ Trees
12/08 Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
12/10 Orlando, FL @ Conduit
12/11 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
12/12 Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819
12/13 Harrisburg, PA @ Capitol City Music Hall
12/14 New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre

 

Omnium Gatherum’s new album, May the Bridges We Burn Light the Way, is now available. Order here. 

 

Feature Image Photo Credit: Jari Heino