OBSCURA | Steffen Kummerer Demos his ESP Custom Guitar

A new video in which OBSCURA guitarist and vocalist Steffen Kummerer presents his ESP Guitars Japan Custom model – from its unique shape to selected EMG pickups – can be seen below.

OBSCURA | ESP Custom Guitar Steffen Kummerer

Photography by Chris Rogl.

„After three years in the making, ESP Guitars released an astonishing instrument which perfectly suits my needs on stage and in the studio. Working on this project with excellent people in Germany, the United States and Japan over such a long period turned into a unique guitar featuring the finest Japanese craftsmanship. Makoto Suzuki and his team of ESP Japan delivered an excellent, perfect built guitar – top-notch of quality combined with breathtaking design. The choice of adding scalloped frets, a tailor-made cutaway and customized solutions for every need enhanced the playing experience.

I am looking forward to recording OBSCURA’s new album by the end of this year and start rehearsing for all upcoming tours and festivals. With Christian MünznerJeroen Paul Thesseling and David Diepold a new chapter of the band begun and we are excited to release new music through our new partner NUCLEAR BLAST.”

Founded OBSCURA and THULCANDRA in 2002 and 2003 respectively, Kummerer is leading both groups up today, receiving worldwide recognition as vocalist & guitarist. OBSCURA established its reputation by releasing five studio albums which have been highly acclaimed by fans and press alike, accompanied by hundreds of shows all around the globe. Putting great emphasis on hooks and songwriting, OBSCURA became one of the modern age elites within the genre.

Based on his work with OBSCURA, Kummerer joined DEATH TO ALL / DEATH DTA for numerous shows in Europe, South- & Central America to perform the music of the late Chuck Schuldiner alongside original members Gene Hoglan (TESTAMENTDEATHDARK ANGEL), Steve DiGiorgio (DEATHSADUSSOEN), Sean Reinert (DEATHCYNIC), Paul Masvidal (DEATHCYNIC), Bobby Koelble (DEATH) and Max Phelps (EXIST).

In 2017, Kummerer left RAN Guitars after 15 years of successful collaboration.

www.nuclearblast.com
www.espguitars.com
www.engl-amps.com
www.ernieball.com

Official Tourdates
Official Merchandise

OBSCURA | Preproduction #1 – ENGL Amplification

OBSCURA | ENGL Custom Bass Cabinet, CabloaderBASS CABINETS

ENGL Amplification provided us with the first custom made bass cabinet featuring the same dimensions as a regular guitar cabinet. The dedicated developers at ENGL built an entirely new cabinet for our upcoming European Tour and recordings according to our ideas.  We take down one guitar cabinet while keep the stage production clean and even more efficient.


CABLOADER

With ENGLs recent development, the Cabloader, we basically found the missing link between using tube amplifiers, cabinets on stage and the convenience of modeling amps. The overall concept seems thought out in all aspects and Obscura will use 4 cabloaders combined with our regular setup to provide an even more brilliant live sound.


GUITAR PREAMPS

Last but not least, we upgraded our live rig with two brand new E570 preamps from the previous E530 units. With four channels, the E570 delivers a wider spectrum of sounds within our live shows. Especially crystal clear clean sounds, different gain structures and a MIDI feature enhanced the usability and overall guitar sound.

OBSCURA | Share “Emergent Evolution” Guitar Playthrough Video

ESP player extraordinaire Steffen Kummerer of Obscura does a playthrough of their song “Emergent Evolution” using his E-II Arrow and the new ENGL Savage 120 Mark II.

www.espguitars.com
www.engl-amps.com

 

OBSCURA | Celestion Endorsement

Celestion LogoObscura announce a cooperation with one of the world’s largest and most innovative manufacturers of loudspeakers – Celestion!

Responsible for the first ever dedicated guitar speaker, Celestion drivers have become the ‘voice of rock & roll‘, delivering many of the most memorable performances by guitarists including Jimi Hendrix and Slash through to the current crop of high-octane shredders.

“With Celestion Speakers and ENGL Ampflifiers we establish the V-Type/A-Type combo within Obscura’s studio and live guitar cabinets. We tested the overall innovative array at ENGL HQ as part of a factory visit a few weeks ago – the difference sounds simply massive and improves both, our recordings and live setup.” – Steffen Kummerer / Obscura

“We’re seriously stoked to be working together with the mighty Obscura and our old friends Engl Amps, to help deliver some serious metal tones through cabs loaded with V-Type and A-Type speakers. The V-Type/A-Type speaker combo has been one of the best-kept secrets of metal tone for far too long. Thanks to Obscura it will be a secret no more!”John Paice / Celestion

 

Obscura | Celestion - A-Type Hero

A-Type

the A-Type is a different kind of guitar speaker from Celestion. Of course, it still has the musical and revealing three-dimensional quality that is the heart and soul of a Celestion guitar speaker, however it features a more laid-back midrange which reveals body and complexity in the upper register, accompanied by full and rounded low frequencies for a big, blooming low end.

Clean players will love the smooth articulation; for rockers the brooding, powerful low end threatens thunder that’s only a heavy riff away!

Obscura | Celestion - V-Type HeroV-Type

The V-type has been built using a carefully balanced ‘recipe’ of old and new design techniques. It produces a heady, exciting modern vintage sound that just makes you want to keep on playing. Clean sounds are true across the lows, mids and highs, with just enough upper-mid chime and HF sparkle to add clarity and definition. Crank it up for a sizzling overdrive and raw rock and metal tones, with plenty of mid-band warmth to give body and substance to lead note playing.

 

https://celestion.com/
https://www.engl-amps.com/

OBSCURA | Steffen Kummerer talks “DILUVIUM EUROPA 2019”

Obscura | Diluvium Europa 2019 TourGermany’s progressive death metal masters OBSCURA announce Winter 2019 headlining tour dates supporting the recently released Diluvium full-length. Presented by Metal Hammer, Ibanez Guitars, Guitar Magazine, FUZE Magazine and Metal.de, the tour begins February 1 in Germany and ends February 23 in Austria. Support will be provided by Fallujah, Allegaeon & First Fragment. A full list of confirmed tour dates in available below.

OBSCURA
FALLUJAH
ALLEGAEON
FIRST FRAGMENT

Feb 01 München, DE @ Backstage Event | Tickets
Feb 02 Nurnberg, DE @ Z-Bau Event | Tickets
Feb 03 Haarlem, NL @ Patronaat Event | Tickets
Feb 04 Bristol, UK @ The Fleece Event | Tickets
Feb 05 Dublin, IE @ Voodoo Lounge Event | Tickets
Feb 06 Glasgow, UK @ Cathouse Event | Tickets
Feb 07 Manchester, UK @ Rebellion Event | Tickets
Feb 08 London, UK @ 02 Academy Islington Event | Tickets
Feb 09 Paris, FR @ Trabendo Event | Tickets
Feb 10 Toulouse, FR @ Metronum Event | Tickets
Feb 11 Bilbao, ES @ Santana 27 Event | Tickets
Feb 12 Porto, PT @ Hard Club Event | Tickets
Feb 13 Madrid, ES @ Caracol Event | Tickets
Feb 14 Barcelona, ES @ Boveda Event | Tickets
Feb 15 Lyon, FR @ CCO Event | Tickets
Feb 16 Milan, IT @ Legend Event | Tickets
Feb 17 Aarau, CH @ Kiff Event | Tickets
Feb 18 Wien, AT @ Arena Event | Tickets
Feb 19 Leipzig, DE @ Conne Island Event | Tickets
Feb 20 Berlin, DE @ Lido Event | Tickets
Feb 21 Hamburg, DE @ Logo Event | Tickets
Feb 22 Oberhausen, DE @ Kulttempel Event | Tickets
Feb 23 Salzburg, AT @ Rockhouse Event | Tickets

OFFICIAL LINKS:

OBSCURA Official Website
OBSCURA YouTube Channel
OBSCURA on Facebook
OBSCURA on Instagram
OBSCURA on Twitter
OBSCURA on Bandcamp