APRIL 25th, 2024
INSOMNIUM/OMNIUM GATHERUM/WILDERUN
Review By: Metal Mom Rita
Photos By: Char Tupper
Gallery: http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/insomnium-guests/

Metaltitans own Metal Mom Rita got the chance to watch and review Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum and Wilderun. Tonight marks half way into their tour and last Canadian date here at the Rickshaw Theatre in Vancouver, BC.

Some people were so happy to be able to come to this show, I talked to a few people, some who came all the way from Quesnel, one from Vancouver Island, and a couple from Victoria (also on the Island). Wow a lot of travel time, and obviously bands worth the travel.

Openers tonight are WILDERUN (USA), with the sound of metal, prog, folk and orchestral music, who have managed to pull it all together to give a great performance tonight. It was nice too to hear the bass clearly on each song. The guitars, make no mistake there is a lot of talent there, drums, always the one to bring it all together, the vocals, was just the topping on this band. I was surprised, didn't know what to expect , they have some slower songs, but they also have a heavier sound which made Wilderun the perfect choice to start off the night. Bonus, I didn't need to dodge any moshers, although for some of those heavy moments, moshers did pop up, which the band appreciated and gave a shout out to the crowd.

OMNIUM GATHERUM, (Finland) was next to take the stage, and yes, I have seen them before, and I almost never miss them. Last time I saw them was March 16th 2022, same venue. What an amazing kick ass show, what can you say when you enjoy every second of their performance, everything was so well put together, great song selection (I would have been happy with any of their songs honestly). I really enjoy watching when all the band members just know how to get it together to give 150% to their fans. Jukka Pelkonen (vocals), Markus Vanhala (guitars/clean vocals) who also was doing double duty tonight, Aapo Koivisto (keyboards), Mikko Kivistö (bass/clean vocals), Atte Pesonen (drums),  Nick Cordle (guitar), they push out their own modern melodic death metal with a hint of pop, some high energy from Jukka, and everyone just brought it all to the show giving us a great experience. Very energetic crowd as well, I think the bands and fans, fed off each other, and the enthusiasm was unreal. You don't want to miss this band, they are phenomenal to watch and listen to. Can't go wrong, when you have great music, and the sound was great, no matter where you were in the room, lighting that showcased each member. Make no mistake this is who I came for, and was not disappointed.

Headliners tonight are INSOMNIUM (Finland), boy Finland has some mighty talented musicians. You might recognize a band member here, in fact, we just saw him in OG, so who else is in the band? Well, you have Niilo Sevanen (vocals/bass), Markus Vanhalla (guitars), Brandon Ellis (Black Dahlia Murder - filling in for Ville on this tour) and Markus Hirvonen (drums), put them all together and you have Insomnium. Remembering back in 2020 they had to cancel because of the pandemic, and now they have come to give us what we missed (and more). They played a variety of songs, most I think were from the new album, but some oldies were put in which everyone enjoyed of course, we all enjoy a variety. There was moshing, lots of it, and horns were raised high. Mighty fine job done by all.

Want your chance to see these bands, here are the rest of their tour dates :

Apr 29 San Francisco, CA - August Hall
Apr 30 Los Angeles, CA - The Belasco
May 01 Mesa, AZ - The Nile Theater            
May 03 Austin, TX - Come and Take It Live
May 04 Dallas, TX - The Factory In Deep Ellum
May 06 Winter Park, FL - The Conduit
May 07 Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
May 08 Charlotte, NC - The Underground
May 09 Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage  
May 10 Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts
May 11 New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre