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

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OBSCURA | Cosmogenesis & Omnivium Sale

Thank you so much for the overwhelming response to our line-up announcement!

We just marked down all Cosmogenesis and Omnivium items in our shop.
Until Sunday night you get 20% off!

Take your chance and grab your merch now:
realmofobscura.com/product-category/sale

OBSCURA completes new line-up with rejoining guitarist CHRISTIAN MÜNZNER

After a six-year break, legendary German guitarist Christian Münzner (ETERNITY’S END, PARADOX, ALKALOID, ex-NECROPHAGIST, ex-SPAWN OF POSSESSION) has rejoined the German progressive death metallers OBSCURA as a permanent member. Münzner, known for his virtuoso guitar playing in extreme metal, joined OBSCURA in 2008 and recorded the band’s critically acclaimed full-length albums “Cosmogenesis” (2009) and “Omnivium” (2011), both released via Relapse Records. He has toured the world, collaborated internationally with several groups as session player and is also working as guitar teacher.

Christian says, “I’m very excited to be back in the band. After my departure in 2014 I stayed very active on the scene in various formats, but I needed some time off from the busy touring schedule to take the time and learn to manage my hand issues, regroup my thoughts about my musical future and focus on some other matters that were going on in my life at that time.

I’m happy to say I’m back with a vengeance and I feel I have taken my playing to a new level in recent years, and I can’t wait to share with all the Obscura fans what we are working on at the moment. During my time away from the band we remained in touch, and in recent years I felt my interest in extreme music and the drive to write and play in that style resurfacing, it feels like everything came together at the perfect moment. I think we are having a very strong line-up and I am excited about the future of OBSCURA“.

Among his solo releases “Timewarp” (2011), “Beyond the Wall of Sleep” (2014) and “Path of the Hero” (2020), he also appeared on NECROPHAGIST‘s critically acclaimed second studio album, “Epitaph” (2004), SPAWN OF POSSESSION‘s third studio album, “Incurso” (2012), PARADOX‘s sixth studio album “Tales Of The Weird” (2012), ALKALOID‘s first and second studio albums, “The Malkuth Grimoire” (2015), “Liquid Anatomy” (2018), ETERNITY’S END‘s first and second albums, “The Fire Within” (2016) and “Unyielding” (2018).

As revealed last month, Dutch fretless bass player Jeroen Paul Thesseling rejoined OBSCURA after a nine-year break. Earlier this month the group also announced Austrian drummer David Diepold as their new member. Now, with the comeback of former guitarist Christian Münzner, 75% of the classic Cosmogenesis (2009) and Omnivium (2011) line-up is reunited.

Steffen Kummerer – guitars, vocals
Christian Münzner – guitars
Jeroen Paul Thesseling – bass
David Diepold – drums

Founded in 2002, OBSCURA established its reputation by releasing five studio albums which have been highly acclaimed by fans and press alike, accompanied by playing support tours as well as their own headline shows all around the globe.

OBSCURA | “Universe Momentum” Guitar Playthrough Video

Check out the brand-new guitar play-through for “Universe Momentum” by Steffen Kummerer!

Enjoy! Let us know your comments on the play-through and the gear from Engl Amps and ESP Guitars!
Photo Credit: Chris Rogl

Drummer DAVID DIEPOLD joins OBSCURA

The Austrian virtuoso drummer David Diepold (BENIGHTED, HATE, BELPHEGOR, GIVE EM BLOOD, COGNIZANCE) known for his highly technical signature playing in extreme metal, has joined the German progressive death metallers OBSCURA as a permanent member. He collaborated internationally with several groups as session player and is also working as drum teacher. Diepold appeared on COGNIZANCE‘s first full-length album “Malignant Dominion” (2019) among other recordings.

‘Being asked to join OBSCURA was definitely a dream come true! You know, I’m at a point in my musical career, where I tend to say, that the countless hours in my rehearsal room are finally starting to pay off. Especially over the last five or six years, applications from bands and musicians continuously got more professional and collaborating with those artists all helped a lot to improve my drumming skills and to grow as a musician. I will do my absolute best to recreate Hannes’ and Sebastian’s parts in the context of our live performances but most of all, I’m looking forward to write new material with such outstanding musicians!‘, says David.

Founded in 2002, OBSCURA established its reputation by releasing five studio albums which have been highly acclaimed by fans and press alike, accompanied by playing support tours as well as their own headline shows all around the globe.

Video and photo credit: Manuel Diepold