Obscura (band)
Encyclopedia
History
Obscura was founded in 2002 by Steffen KummererSteffen Kummerer
Steffen Kummerer is a German guitarist and vocalist who founded German progressive/technical death metal band Obscura and black/death metal band Thulcandra.-Early life:Steffen Kummerer was born on the 1st of June 1985...
. The band was named after the Gorguts
Gorguts
Gorguts is a technical death metal band from Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. The band's only constant member is Luc Lemay.-History:Gorguts were formed in 1989 by Luc Lemay , Sylvain Marcoux , Éric Giguère and Stephane Provencher...
album Obscura
Obscura
Obscura is the third album by Gorguts. It is seen as one of metal's most technical and complex albums, consisting of many experimental and dissonant melodies, and strange rhythms.- History :...
. In 2006 Obscura self-released their debut album Retribution and toured alongside Suffocation
Suffocation (band)
Suffocation is an American death metal band that was formed in 1989 in Long Island, New York. The band comprises vocalist Frank Mullen, guitarists Terrance Hobbs and Guy Marchais, drummer Mike Smith and bassist Derek Boyer. Suffocation rose to prominence of death metal and created a blueprint for...
within Europe. A European headlining tour through East and South Europe followed in 2007. Later that year, drummer Hannes Grossmann
Hannes Grossmann
Hannes Grossmann is a German drummer who plays for German death metal band Obscura and US technical extreme metal band Blotted Science. His drumming is also heard on the Necrophagist album "Epitaph".-Early life:...
(ex-Necrophagist
Necrophagist
Necrophagist is a German death metal band, founded and fronted by Muhammed Suiçmez; a German-born, Turkish guitarist and vocalist. The band is known for its rapid and technical compositions....
) and bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling
Jeroen Paul Thesseling
Jeroen Paul Thesseling is a Dutch fretless bass player, most famous for his work in German death metal band Obscura and Dutch death metal band Pestilence.. He is currently active in Pestilence and his fusion-metal project Nufutic.-Biography:...
(Pestilence
Pestilence (band)
Pestilence is a death metal band from the Netherlands founded in 1986. Later they incorporated more jazz and fusion elements into their music. After disbanding in order to pursue other musical directions in 1994, Pestilence has reunited in 2008...
) were added as new permanent members. The group's latest addition, guitarist Christian Muenzner
Christian Müenzner
Christian Muenzner is a German metal guitarist, best known for playing for technical death metal band Necrophagist from 2002 until 2006, appearing on their 2004 release Epitaph. Prior to being in Necrophagist, he was in the German death metal act Defeated Sanity, featuring on their debut promo,...
(ex-Necrophagist
Necrophagist
Necrophagist is a German death metal band, founded and fronted by Muhammed Suiçmez; a German-born, Turkish guitarist and vocalist. The band is known for its rapid and technical compositions....
) came into the ranks early 2008. In September 2008 Obscura signed with Relapse Records
Relapse Records
Relapse Records is an independent record label based in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. It was founded by Matthew F. Jacobson in 1990.-History:The label was started by Matthew F. Jacobson in August, 1990 in his parents' basement in Aurora, Colorado...
and released its second full-length album Cosmogenesis
Cosmogenesis (album)
- Band lineup :* Steffen Kummerer - guitars, vocals* Christian Muenzner − guitars* Jeroen Paul Thesseling − bass* Hannes Grossmann - drums* Ron Jarzombek - guest guitar on track 9* Tymon Kruidenier - guest guitar on track 2...
in early 2009. The band started their first-ever North American tour as part of the 'Cosmogenesis Worldtour' in April 2009 alongside Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse is an American death metal band from Buffalo, New York. Formed in 1988, the band has released eleven studio albums, one box set, and one live album...
. Within one year the band played more than 160 shows all over the world as support for Atheist
Atheist (band)
Atheist is a technical death metal band from Florida, founded in 1984, whose music combines metal riffs with subtle Latin music arrangements and jazz fusion.- History :...
, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse is an American death metal band from Buffalo, New York. Formed in 1988, the band has released eleven studio albums, one box set, and one live album...
besides their first headliner tour in the USA. Obscura got the chance to tour Japan as support of Nile
Nile (band)
Nile is an American death metal band from Greenville, South Carolina, formed in 1993. Their music and lyrics are inspired by Ancient Egyptian/Near Eastern mysticism, history, religion, and art, as well as stories by H. P. Lovecraft.- History :...
& Triptykon
Triptykon
Triptykon is a musical project of Thomas Gabriel Fischer, founding member of the pioneering heavy metal bands Hellhammer, Celtic Frost and Apollyon Sun. Fischer announced his departure from Celtic Frost in May 2008 and shortly afterwards revealed his new project would be entitled Triptykon...
in 2010.
Obscura released the follow-up album to Cosmogenesis, entitled Omnivium, on March 29, 2011. The third album earned positive feedback around the world and entered US & German charts. Later the year Steffen Kummerer stated in an interview that the band fired Thesseling in the beginning of 2011 due "to professional and musical differences". Linus Klausenitzer of the progressive death metal band Noneuclid was presented as the new full time member with a videostatement from the band in September 2011.
However the band started the 'Omnivium Worldtour' in their home town Landshut
Landshut
Landshut is a city in Bavaria in the south-east of Germany, belonging to both Eastern and Southern Bavaria. Situated on the banks of the River Isar, Landshut is the capital of Lower Bavaria, one of the seven administrative regions of the Free State of Bavaria. It is also the seat of the...
, Germany followed by a full European tour alongside Hate Eternal
Hate Eternal
-Biography:Hate Eternal was formed in 1997. The group's original line-up included Erik Rutan - guitars/vocals, bassist and co-vocalist Jared Anderson, drummer Tim Yeung, and guitarist Doug Cerrito of the band Suffocation...
, Beneath the Massacre
Beneath the Massacre
Beneath the Massacre is a Canadian death metal band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Their debut album, Evidence of Inequity, was released in 2005, under Galy Records. In early 2006, the band signed with Prosthetic Records and has since released their first full-length album, Mechanics of...
& Defiled. In June & July the same year they played a five week major market tour supporting Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom is a Finnish heavy metal band from Espoo. Formed in 1993, the group currently consists of Alexi Laiho , Roope Latvala , Janne Wirman , Henkka Seppälä , and Jaska Raatikainen...
& Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend
Devin Garret Townsend is a Canadian musician and record producer. He was the founder, songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist in extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad from 1994 to 2007 and has had an extensive career as a solo artist....
within North America. On the 10th of August the band announced their first South East Asian headlining tour, performing first time ever in Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore & United Arab Emirates.
Current members
- Steffen KummererSteffen KummererSteffen Kummerer is a German guitarist and vocalist who founded German progressive/technical death metal band Obscura and black/death metal band Thulcandra.-Early life:Steffen Kummerer was born on the 1st of June 1985...
- guitars & vocals (2002–present) - Christian MuenznerChristian MüenznerChristian Muenzner is a German metal guitarist, best known for playing for technical death metal band Necrophagist from 2002 until 2006, appearing on their 2004 release Epitaph. Prior to being in Necrophagist, he was in the German death metal act Defeated Sanity, featuring on their debut promo,...
- guitars (2008–present) - Hannes GrossmannHannes GrossmannHannes Grossmann is a German drummer who plays for German death metal band Obscura and US technical extreme metal band Blotted Science. His drumming is also heard on the Necrophagist album "Epitaph".-Early life:...
- drums (2007–present) - Linus Klausenitzer- bass (2011-present)
Former members
- Jonas Baumgartl - drums (2002–2007)
- Martin Ketzer - bass, vocals (2002–2004)
- Azmo - bass (2004)
- Andreas "Hank" Nusko - bass (2004–2005)
- Gerd Pleschgatternig - bass (2005)
- Jonas Fischer - bass (2005–2007)
- Armin Seitz - guitars (2002–2004)
- Stephan Bergbauer - guitars (2004)
- Jürgen Zintz - guitars (2004–2005)
- Markus Lempsch - guitars (2005–2007)
- Johannes Rennig - guitars (2007)
- Jeroen Paul ThesselingJeroen Paul ThesselingJeroen Paul Thesseling is a Dutch fretless bass player, most famous for his work in German death metal band Obscura and Dutch death metal band Pestilence.. He is currently active in Pestilence and his fusion-metal project Nufutic.-Biography:...
- bass (2007–2010)
Touring members
- Steve DiGiorgioSteve DiGiorgioSteve DiGiorgio is an American bassist and musician.DiGiorgio has played bass guitar in heavy metal bands such as Death, Autopsy, Control Denied, Testament, Vintersorg, Iced Earth, Sebastian Bach, Charred Walls of the Damned, Obituary, and is a founding member of Sadus. He is widely renowned for...
- bass (Japanese Tour 2010) - Jacob Schmidt - bass (EU Tour 2009, single shows 2010, 2011)
- Seraph - drums (EU Tour 2007)
- Linus Klausenitzer - bass (EU & US Tour 2011)
Discography
- (2003) Illegimitation (self released)
- (2004) RetributionRetribution (Obscura album)-Personnel:Obscura* Steffen Kummerer - guitars, vocals* Markus Lempsch − guitars* Jonas Fischer − bass* Jonas Baumgartl - drums, celloAdditional personnel* V.Santura - additional vocals, solo on track 8* Stephan Bergbauer - solo on track 9...
(self released in 2004, rereleased in 2006 via VOTS Records, Remastered in 2010 and rereleased via Relapse Records) - (2009) CosmogenesisCosmogenesis (album)- Band lineup :* Steffen Kummerer - guitars, vocals* Christian Muenzner − guitars* Jeroen Paul Thesseling − bass* Hannes Grossmann - drums* Ron Jarzombek - guest guitar on track 9* Tymon Kruidenier - guest guitar on track 2...
(Relapse Records) - (2011) OmniviumOmniviumOmnivium is the third studio album released by German death metal band Obscura. The album was recorded at Woodshed Studio in southern, Germany with engineer V. Santura...
(Relapse Records)
External links
- Obscura Home Page
- Obscura at Relapse RecordsRelapse RecordsRelapse Records is an independent record label based in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. It was founded by Matthew F. Jacobson in 1990.-History:The label was started by Matthew F. Jacobson in August, 1990 in his parents' basement in Aurora, Colorado...