May The Bridges We Burn Light The Way LP

Edition LP .

Formed in 1996 in the coastal town of Karhula, Omnium Gatherum has long stood at the crossroads of traditional heavy metal, Gothenburg-style melodic death metal, and progressive finesse, earning them the ironic label of "death metal for grown-ups."

On "May the Bridges We Burn Light the Way," founding guitarist and primary songwriter Markus Vanhala (also a member of Insomnium and Cemetery Skyline) sought to capture the band's full scope: catchy choruses, searing solos, thunderous rhythms, creative keyboard work, and vocals that seamlessly shift from aggressive to melodic.

Through its lyrics, "May the Bridges We Burn Light the Way" is structured as a concept album without a defined through-line, narrating "street stories" through the experiences of dreamers, devils, liars, and wanderers. Songs like "Walking Ghost Phase" delve into addiction and despair, while "Ignite the Flame" champions brotherhood and rebellion. In "The Darkest City," the urban landscape itself speaks, reflecting the chaos of the modern world.

"There's a '90s spirit to these lyrics too," says Vanhala. "Even if they're not autobiographical, they echo our origins: street corners, blasting metal, and big dreams."

The music was recorded in various Finnish studios, some in converted industrial spaces that exuded an unsettling stillness. Jukka Pelkonen's vocal sessions, on the other hand, were recorded in Sweden with Björn "Speed" Strid (Soilwork), who co-produced the vocals and lent his voice for powerful backing vocals. For tech enthusiasts, the vocal tracks were recorded on the legendary SSL console used on Queen's "Innuendo," adding a touch of rock history to the powerful performance. And to complete the album's production, the band once again enlisted Jens Bogren and Tony Lindgren from Sweden's renowned Fascination Street Studios for mixing and mastering. Clocking in at just under 45 minutes, the album hits hard and moves fast: no filler, maximum impact.