LIVE FROM THE PIT: Omnium Gatherum, Fallujah and In Mourning

Walking into a metal gig when death-metal is not your usual cup of tea can make one feel like a tourist. However, on the night of OMNIUM GATHERUM, the atmosphere at The Dome by Tufnell Park Station was anything but intimidating. Despite a venue packed to the rafters with an audience clad in black boots and heavy makeup, the vibes were overwhelmingly joyful. Strangers struck up conversations, and couples shared drinks in a scene that felt more like a community gathering than a typical "extreme" show. 

Opening the night were IN MOURNING, who brought a crushing yet slow, melodic weight to the stage. Their set was a masterclass, grounded by the tireless work of Mikko Kivistö. In an impressive feat of stamina, Kivistö pulled double duty for the evening, anchoring the low end for both IN MOURNING and the headliners. The set reached a fever pitch during their last song, Colossus, a nearly nine-minute long piece beginning with an incredible, melancholic guitar line, before descending into a wall of sound that felt heavy enough to crack the ceiling of The Dome.

The energy shifted as FALLUJAH took their turn, as their music was much faster, much more energised than the previous set. While their performance was great, it was not without its hurdles. The band had some notable problems with the smoke machine, which at times threatened to swallow the stage entirely, and the crowd struggled to see what was going on for a little bit. Despite the heavy fog, the sheer precision of the musicianship remained clear. Kyle Schaefer delivered a commanding performance that also involved a man appearing on stage wearing nothing but a towel.

By the time OMNIUM GATHERUM took to the stage, the fog had finally cleared. They describe themselves as "melodic death metal with ridiculously catchy pop influences," and after seeing them live, the only way is to absolutely agree. Maintaining a strategic position at the front of the stage became a battle of its own, though the kindness of the crowd remained.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5wDoaM_HDQ

There was a moment of sadness as the fans learned that the iconic frontman Jukka Pelkonen had fallen ill, but the show was saved by Henry Hamalainen. Stepping in last minute is no easy task, but Hamalainen stood in with a performance that could energise any crowd, getting right up close and personal with the crowd. The whole band radiated an incredible energy that was more electric than aggressive. Between the cinematic lighting and the "pop-infusion" of tracks like Walking Ghost Phase, they proved you do not need to be a metalhead to appreciate their music. It is always a pleasure to see a band who can really move; Hamalainen stormed across the stage, the guitarists played off against each other, and it was obvious the musicians love what they do. Between concentrated frowns from the guitarists strutting their stuff were huge, wide smiles, and this energy clearly resonated with the crowd.

The technical highlights were numerous, particularly the staggering guitar work of Markus Vanhala. During the ten-minute emotional arc of White Palace, his zebra-print guitar was a blur of precision. OMNIUM GATHERUM are currently with no doubt the gold standard for how to make heavy music accessible and fun. They closed the night with the anthemic song New World Shadows, leaving the floor shaking, crowd’s voices lost and hearing gone.

Whether you are a fan of the genre or just a curious tourist, OMNIUM GATHERUM is a must-see for their absolutely infectious positivity. Just make sure you pack some properly strong ear protection.

Words and photos: Herbie Barlow