Review: “Wander” by Gomorran

A band formed in Helsinki Finland by drummer Olli Lappalainen in 2019, Gomorran have been blazing a trail of destruction in Blackened Death Metal since with members and former members of Affection, Standing Ovation, Sclerosis and Valravn joining forces in the process. Inking a deal with Inverse Records they unleashed their debut record “Excerpts from the Dark Age” in 2021. That was recorded as a four piece however the band expanded the line up to bring in third guitarist Simo Happonen of Saint of Disgrace fame, the band rounded out by vocalist Julius Kantoluoto, bassist Panu Nykänen and guitarist duo Joonatan Wiitasalo and Perttu Laamanen. However while working on a follow up, Lappalainen passed away unexpectedly at his home and the band went on indefinite hiatus, releasing “Wander” as the final chapter in their story of friendship, ambitions and dreams while leaving us to muse on what might have been…

A classic Blackened Death Metal rampage through the wilderness with the thrill of the hunt, “No Repentance” brings this final burnt offering from Gomorran to life in sublime fashion with bursts of blasting from Lappalainen accompanying the throat splitting vocals. The intricate lead guitars help build a sinister and menacing atmosphere, while the roots in Melodic Death Metal are exposed in the flamboyant final third that brings everything together. Exuding confidence the track is as masterful an opening cut as any band could wish for and has been well thought out with a fleeting moment of ambient melody acting as something of a palate cleanser before “The Witch’s Grace” rises to the surface. Buzz saw guitars and a whirlwind of percussive battery accompany the vicious screams of Kantoluoto on this one, the plague emanations from his throat enough to perforate the ear drum at 30 paces. Laamanen and Wiitasalo produce a stunning array of lead guitar work and a solo which is electric, adding a surprising level of epic majesty to the finale of an otherwise neck snapping cut, the musicianship once again impeccable. The tempo of the damned rarely slows for Gomorran and “Veil of Denial” maintains the pace and energy with another lightening bolt from a wrathful God, the Death growls reaching some hitherto unheard new lows, the final moments reaching bowel clenching levels.

Melodic Death Metal styled riffs rise to the surface once more for “House of Simon“, another razor sharp cut from a band at the top of their game and if it wasn’t for the bands refusal to give us any clean vocals then this could well be one for Gothenburg Sound lovers across the Globe. It has a majestic rise and fall to it with rich dark melodies that are as smooth as a cup of Skull Crusher coffee, everything well polished and having a really nice warmth to it instrumentally. That helps to give a nice contrast with the harshness of the vocals and provides for hummable tune. A 25 second burst of raw drumming from the practice room, “O.P.L.” is a moment dedicated to Olli Petteri Lappalainen and rightly so as this record represents his final works; this jackhammer footwork and cymbal smashes effectively serving as an introduction piece to the eight minute surpassing magnum opus that is “Halo of the Frozen Tomb“. Rivers of Bolt Thrower blood flow through the veins of this one, a mid tempo skull battering that has an ear worm riff with an eight bit video game flare to it in places. The icy piano buried in the mix adds a tasteful touch, deliberately not allowed to be as overpowering as it could be, an embellishment rather than taking centre stage. An Amon Amarth like almost tribal passage at the start of the final third feels like the band have been injected with Viking blood before an ethereal choral moment rises to the surface. Experimental to the point of being progressive, this one is the majestic conclusion that the band should be proud of because its nothing short of stunning. You can’t help but wonder what might have been if the band had been able to complete the remaining songs of this album because what they have created injects new life into the genre, it’s that good [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. No Repentance
2. The Witch’s Grace
3. Veil of Denial
4. House of Simon
5. O.P.L.
6. Halo of the Frozen Tomb

“Wander” by Gomorran was released on 1st December 2023 and is available over at bandcamp