Finnish melodic death metal veterans Omnium Gatherum are closing out the final dates of their Finnish tour this weekend with shows in Jyväskylä and Helsinki, but the band is already turning attention toward what’s next. As momentum builds for their upcoming spring live run, the group has unveiled an unexpected new single titled “Moongold.” The track was recorded during the sessions for May The Bridges We Burn Light The Way, the album released late last year that drew strong praise from metal media worldwide.
Vocalist Jukka Pelkonen explains how the song fits into that creative period, saying: “‘Moongold’ follows the overall style of the album. It’s fast and packed with energy, and while the song is somewhat stripped down, its layers reveal themselves after a few spins. “Moongold” is one of my favorites from these sessions, and I truly hope it will make its way into our setlist in the future – this song was absolutely made with live the performance in mind.”
Guitarist Markus Vanhala adds more context to the track’s history: “’Moongold’ was originally released as an ‘Eastern wonder,’ meaning a Japan-exclusive around the time the album came out. However, we ultimately decided to leave it off the album itself, as it didn’t quite fit the overall flow and we wanted the record to be a short, sharp burst of aggression. That said, the song stands very strong on its own as a melodic death metal anthem and is pure OG – perhaps a slightly more old-school version. And now, here it is, served to you and to your loved one, to these moonlit afternoons.”
As Omnium Gatherum enter their 30th anniversary year, the band remains one of Finland’s most consistently touring metal exports. Their European headline tour begins on February 11, with Fallujah and In Mourning joining as special guests. This leg follows an extensive North American headline run that kicked off the world tour cycle for May The Bridges We Burn Light The Way last year.
“The calendar is full – just the way it should be, and there’s more to come. It suits a band whose core is that of an honest, sweaty live act,” Vanhala says with a smile.
Formed in 1996 in the coastal town of Karhula, Omnium Gatherum have long operated at the intersection of traditional heavy metal, Gothenburg-inspired melodic death metal, and progressive elements. Over the years, this blend has earned them the tongue-in-cheek description of Adult-Oriented Death Metal.
On May The Bridges We Burn Light The Way, founding guitarist and primary songwriter Markus Vanhala—also known for his work with Insomnium and Cemetery Skyline—aimed to showcase the full range of the band’s sound. The album balances memorable hooks with sharp guitar work, heavy rhythms, layered keyboards, and vocals that move fluidly between harsh aggression and melody.
Lyrically, May The Bridges We Burn Light The Way unfolds as a loose concept record built around “stories from the streets,” told through the eyes of dreamers, fiends, liars, and wanderers. Tracks such as “Walking Ghost Phase” explore addiction and despair, while “Ignite the Flame” leans into themes of brotherhood and resistance. In “The Darkest City”, the city itself becomes a narrator, reflecting the tension and disorder of modern life.
“There’s a 90s spirit in these lyrics as well,” says Vanhala. “Even if they’re not autobiographical, they echo where we came from – street corners, blasting metal and dreaming big.”
The album was recorded across several Finnish studios, including former industrial spaces that brought a distinct atmosphere to the sessions. Jukka Pelkonen tracked his vocals in Sweden alongside Björn ‘Speed’ Strid of Soilwork, who co-produced the vocal recordings and contributed gang shouts. For those interested in the technical details, the vocals were captured using the legendary SSL console previously used on Queen’s Innuendo. Mixing and mastering duties once again went to Jens Bogren and Tony Lindgren at Sweden’s Fascination Street Studios. Clocking in at under 45 minutes, the album delivers a focused listen built for impact, with no excess and no wasted space.
