OMNIUM GATHERUM Parts Ways With Bassist, Announces Replacement

Finnish death metallers OMNIUM GATHERUM have issued the following update:

"We're sad to inform that our longtime bass player for 10 years, Janne Markkanen, has decided to step aside from OMNIUM GATHERUM crew due to his lack of time and motivation for this type of music. There's no bad blood between us and of course we wish him best of luck for whatever he is doing from now on.

"Good news is that we have new fresh motivated blood in the crew as Eerik Purdon is our new bassist from now on and he'll be looking after adding some demonic bottom pulse and groove to our noise. Eerik has been our good friend for some time and he also helped us and played bass on OMNIUM GATHERUM's Summer Blast Fest Spain / Portugal tour in June 2007 when Janne was unavailable to do the shows, and the dude really showed his infernal talents and OMNIUM GATHERUM attitude there! Eerik also plays in CRYSTAL BLAZE and he was acting session bassist in AMORAL for their latest Finnish shows."

Janne has issued the following statement regarding his decision to leave the band: "Thanks to everybody, OMNIUM GATHERUM dudes, other bands and fans for great times during these years. I really felt that it was time for me to step aside, and let someone with more enthusiasm to take my place. Eerik is a real bad-ass player and great dude, so be prepared for some major ass-kicking OMNIUM GATHERUM material!"

OMNIUM GATHERUM's latest album, "Stuck Here on Snakes Way", entered the Finnish chart at position No. 31. The CD, which was released on April 2 via Candlelight Records (one day later in North America), was recorded during November-December 2006 at Southeast Studios in Karhula, Finland with producer Teemu Aalto. An eight-minute video clip documenting the recording sessions for the album has been posted online at this location. Check out audio samples on the band's MySpace page. A video for the song "Into Sea" can be viewed below.

"Stuck Here on Snakes Way" marks the band's first release with brand new vocalist Jukka Pelkonen, who joined the group in May 2006.