Here are the eight best new melodic death metal bands of the last 10 years, chosen by guitarist Markus Vanhala of Insomnium and Omnium Gatherum.

If there's anyone who is an authority on melodeath, it's this guy. The Finn is the sole original member of Omnium Gatherum, having been the driving creative force in the group since its formation in 1996. Their debut album, Spirits and August Light, was released 20 years ago with another eight to follow, all under Vanhala's command.

It was until 2011, after fellow Finns Insomnium released their first four records, that Vanhala was recruited to fill a vacant guitar spot, enabling him to expand his vision for melodic death metal. He made his debut on 2014's Shadows of the Dying Sun and it's been nothing but quality under his name the whole time, all the way through Insomnium's latest effort Anno 1696 and Omnium Gatherum's new EP, Slasher.

And that's why you can trust in Vanhala's melodeath picks below, diving into the best new bands to play the style over the last decade or so.

Since rules are meant to be broken, one or two of his selections go back just a tad further than 10 years. We'll allow it!

Wrapping up a tour with Omnium Gatherum alongside headliners Eluveitie, Vanhala will again trek across North America, this time with Insomnium as they embark on a co-headlining run with Enslaved. See all of those tour dates here.

Get Insomnium's latest album 'Anno 1696' here and snag Omnium Gatherum's 'Slasher' EP here. Follow Insomnium on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify and do the same for Omnium Gatherum on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.

Omnium Gatherum, "Slasher" Music Video

Insomnium, "Lilian" Music Video

Best New Melodic Death Metal Bands of the Last 10 Years, Chosen by Markus Vanhala (Insomnium/Omnium Gatherum)

Guitarist Markus Vanhala (Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum) makes his picks for the best new bands representing melodic death metal over (mostly) the last decade.

PLAYLIST: Ultimate Melodic Death Metal

Listen/follow here and view the first 100 songs in the playlist below.

8 Best Melodic Death Metal Albums of the Last 10 Years, Chosen by Markus Vanhala (Omnium Gatherum/Insomnium)

Guitarist Markus Vanhala (Omnium Gatherum, Insomnium) makes his selections for the eight best melodeath albums to be released since 2013.

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