by Ed Rivadavia
Hailing from the town of Kyminlinna, Finland, Omnium Gatherum was formed in late ‘90's by vocalist Antti Filppu, guitarists Markus Vanhala and Harri Pikka, keyboardist Mikko Pennanen, bassist Janne Markkanen and drummer Jarmo Pikka. After recording a slew of demos culminating in 2002's Steal the Light EP, the group was spotted and signed by independent label Rage of Achilles, which promptly packed them into Helsinki's Thunderstone Studios to record their 2003 debut album Spirits in August Light. Augmented by new keyboard player Jukka Perala, the group's melodically-charged approach to death metal recalls the work of Sweden's Dark Tranquility and In Flames -- both purveyors of the so-called Gothenburg Sound.