Jukka Pelkonen, the lead vocalist of Finnish metal band Omnium Gatherum, has announced he will not join the group's upcoming European tour after being diagnosed with lymphoma. The band has enlisted experienced singer Henry Hämäläinen as his replacement to ensure the tour proceeds as planned. The announcement highlights the band's resilience amid this health challenge.
Finnish melodic death metal band Omnium Gatherum revealed on February 2, 2026, that their frontman Jukka Pelkonen will sit out the 'May The Bridges We Burn Light The Way – European Tour 2026' due to a recent lymphoma diagnosis. In a personal statement shared on the band's official channels, Pelkonen explained the necessity of focusing on his treatment: "Hello friends. It is Jukka from OG. I have to inform you I won’t be able to participate on the upcoming European tour. This is because I have been diagnosed with Lymphoma. And now this serious situation requires my full attention."
Despite the setback, the band emphasized their determination to continue. After discussions among members—including guitarist Markus Vanhala, keyboardist Aapo Koivisto, bassist Mikko Kivistö, and drummer Atte Pesonen—they selected Henry Hämäläinen, a seasoned vocalist and frontman, to fill in. Hämäläinen expressed his sentiments in a message: "Hi there OG family, Henry here! While I’m truly saddened by Jukka having to step away from this tour, I’m extremely honored to be called upon in the band’s time of need. The trust shown by the whole band – and especially Jukka himself – means a lot to me."
The tour, supported by Fallujah and In Mourning, kicks off on February 11, 2026, in Copenhagen, Denmark, at Pumpehuset, and spans multiple European cities. Key stops include Hamburg on February 12, Berlin on February 14, Budapest on February 17, Munich on February 20, Paris on March 4, and concludes in London on March 7 at The Dome. The band assured fans that all dates remain intact, promising an energetic experience: "As a silver lining, the tour is still happening in its entirety and we’ll make sure it’s going to be one hell of a ride! Even with this setback, the spirit of OG is strong, so see you all at the shows!"
This development underscores the challenges faced by musicians in maintaining tour schedules amid personal health issues, while showcasing solidarity within the metal community.
