Greetings! We have our first Profile of the week, and it’s a good one. Salt Lake City’s Osmium Gate are releasing Cannibal Galaxy this coming Friday and it’s something you’ll want to sit down with for a while. The duo of guitarist/bassist Drew Ehrgott (Reverence Of The Martyr) and drummer Rene Gomez (Ibex Throne, Yaotl Mictlan, Pan-Amerikan Native Front) have crafted soundscapes that are truly epic. Leaning into progressive black metal themes, it’s technically impressive, plenty heavy, and an absolute joy to connect with. So, give Drew’s responses to our questions a read below and start getting ready for Cannibal Galaxy’s release on Friday.

—

How and when did you first get into playing music, or metal more specifically, and how did your band get its start? Any pushback from family/those close to you?

I got my first guitar at 14, largely due to the influence of MTV. I played my first club show at 16 and have been in far too many bands to list since then. I was always drawn toward heavier, faster, and darker music because of the musicianship it demanded. Testament was probably the gateway, and once I discovered Chuck Schuldiner’s work in Death, it was all variants of death and black metal from there on.

Osmium Gate started as a personal challenge. I wanted to write a full instrumental album without placing strict boundaries on style or sound. I let whatever wanted to come out, come out. While writing, it became clear the material needed more intensity than I could provide on drums, so I started looking for a drummer and met Rene. He brought a level of focus and aggression that elevated the entire record, and I credit him heavily with how engaging and heavy it became.

How would you describe your band and what you play to someone who is completely in the dark?

If they are completely in the dark, I would probably say something snarky like it is cookie monster music without the cookie monster.

More seriously, Osmium Gate is instrumental metal that focuses on atmosphere, weight, and movement rather than traditional song structures or vocals.

Is there anything about your upcoming album or about your band that no one will find in any interview or review that you care to divulge?

Rene is a legitimate pro. I sent him tracks ahead of our first session, and after just nine evenings together we had our eight songs fully blocked out. We spent considerably more time refining and shaping the material after that, but the foundation came together remarkably fast. That initial momentum set the tone for the entire album.

Any funny stories from playing shows / tours / festivals, etc?

Since Osmium Gate is a studio project at this point, we do not have any road stories. That said, Yaotl Mictlan has a festival or two coming up I plan on crashing, so hopefully we will have a story by the next interview.

What do you see as some of the great things happening in and around the metal scene (yours or just in general) and what are some of the worst things happening right now?

Here in Salt Lake City, we have had a steady stream of strong tours coming through over the past few years. There is almost always a show worth seeing. Crowds have been consistently solid, which gives me confidence that there is a healthy appetite for heavier music. To me, that suggests metal as a genre is in a good place right now.

Most folks have passions for a cause or causes that are close to them. What, if any, are some of the most important issues (social/political/humorous/etc.) for you / your band and how do you insert those issues into your music?

We do not consciously inject social or political causes into our music. We focus more on themes and concepts. I have never enjoyed writing music with an overt message because it can narrow how people connect with it. One of the reasons I chose an instrumental format was to let listeners bring their own experiences to the music and fill in the gaps themselves.

Do you guys have day jobs or hobbies you want to share?

I am just as passionate about art and design as I am about music. I have worked as a designer and marketer for most of my adult life. That career has often pulled focus away from music, but I am grateful to genuinely enjoy my work and still have space for personal creative projects on the side.

What advice do you have for music critics and outlets out there? How can we all better serve the genre in the eyes of a hard-working musician?

Constructive criticism matters. Critics and outlets play a meaningful role in artist development, and thoughtful feedback can push the genre forward just as much as praise.

Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?

Ultimately, I just want to know there are people out there who connect with what we create and want to hear more. That alone is enough motivation to continue releasing material and collaborating. If the momentum is there, I could see Osmium Gate eventually moving from the studio to the stage and bringing in additional musicians.

When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently?

I tend to latch onto songwriters and explore their entire catalogs. Ihsahn’s work has been a constant for me. Emperor is a default, but his work in Peccatum is particularly unique and underrated. I am also drawn to Einar Selvik and Ivar Bjørnson’s collaborative projects, as well as their respective work in Wardruna and Enslaved. Outside of metal, I spend a lot of time with The National and Matt Berninger’s solo material. His voice has a worn, haunted quality that really resonates with me.

What is the near future outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?

We are taking things as they come and enjoying the process, but there is a clear release plan in motion. With singles rolling out and the album approaching, the near future is focused on getting the music into people’s hands and seeing how it connects.

Summarize your band in one word.

Imminent.

—

Many thanks to Drew for the time!

---

Cannibal Galaxy is out on March 13th, this coming Friday. For more information on Osmium Gate, head over to Facebook or Instagram.