Today, Nuclear Blast is pleased to announce the signing of Germany’s finest progressive death metal band, OBSCURA. Founded in 2002, the group have established their reputation by releasing 5 studio albums which have been highly acclaimed by fans and press alike, accompanied by playing support tours (w/ SEPULTURA, CHILDREN OF BODOM, CANNIBAL CORPSE among others) as well as their own headline shows all around the globe.
Obscura’sSteffen Kummerer states, “Partnering with the world’s biggest independent metal label feels like the start of a new chapter for OBSCURA and we are very much looking forward to a great collaboration and to releasing our forthcoming sixth studio album with a great team at our side.“
Nuclear Blast‘s Jaap Wagemaker adds, “As fans ourselves at Nuclear Blast, we have long admired the artistry of German progressive death metal masters OBSCURA. We were blown away by their musical 4-album cycle that started with »Cosmogenesis« and ended with »Diluvium« complete with all the band’s signature elements plus groundbreaking polyrhythms, dramatic songwriting, and jaw-dropping virtuosity!
We knew that OBSCURA has the potential to become one of the leading forces in progressive death metal worldwide, so when the opportunity came to work with them, there was no room for second thoughts. We at Nuclear Blast are very curious to see where OBSCURA’s musicial journey beyond »Diluvium« will bring them. If you are a fan of progressive metal, you should definitely check out this band!”
In additon, the band will once again be touring in support of their current studio album »Diluvium,« in February/March 2020. Support on this run, which will see them performing in 21 cities in 19 countries across the continent, will come various special guests: Dutch death metallers GOD DETHRONED, vocalist/guitarist Steffen Kummerer’s blackened melodic death metal band THULCANDRA as well as French progressive death metal outfit FRACTAL UNIVERSE. All dates can be found below, tickets are on sale now!
Last but not least, the band has recently unveiled a brand new 4k music video for the track ‘Emergent Evolution‘, which is taken off their latest offering.
Germany’s progressive death metal masters OBSCURA announce headline Winter 2020 Europe tour dates. The tour begins February 15 in Switzerland and ends March 7 in Germany.
“As part of the “DILUVIUM WORLD TOUR”, OBSCURA return to Europe once again supporting “Diluvium” within 23 shows in mainly Southern Europe, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. With Dutch melodic death metal pioneers GOD DETHRONED, German black death metal heavyweights THULCANDRA and French progressive death metal newcomers FRACTAL UNIVERSE we hit the road in February and March 2020. We revised our setlist and perform songs we haven’t played in years as well as a few quite special compositions we never brought on stage before. Don’t miss this killer lineup, show up early to the shows and support all bands!” – Steffen Kummerer
GOD DETHRONED: “We’re pleased to inform you all that we’re teaming up with Obscura, Thulcandra and Fractal Universe for our next European tour. Sharing the stage with these bands is something we look forward too and it should fit perfectly, as we all play extreme melodic music, yet in a different way. We will cover a big part of Europe, so get your tickets to see the show near you! See you on the road soon!“
THULCANDRA: “We are excited to announce that we are joining forces with Obscura, God Dethroned and Fractal Universe for a European tour in February and March 2020. Needless to say, that we are looking forward to sharing the stage with these great musicians. Progressive, technical, black or melodic: Although the four bands explore different facets of death metal, we are extremely complementary. Not least, because we all share a mutual passion for extreme music. The tour will kick off at the 15th of February and take us all across Europe – so make sure to get your ticket! Whether you are based in Bologna, Bucharest, Belgrade or elsewhere: Thulcandra is hoping to see you around!”
FRACTAL UNIVERSE: “We’re stoked to be part of this amazing line-up alongside Prog-Death giants Obscura as well as our Metal Blade label mates from God Dethroned and German black death metallers Thulcandra! This is a huge opportunity for the band and we’re looking forward to meeting old and new fans all over Europe! Special thanks to Kult Management and Obscura for their trust.”
Germany’s progressive death metal masters OBSCURA share the official music video for “Emergent Evolution”. The song is from the band’s 2018 released fifth album Diluvium. Watch the Mirko Witzi directed video AT THIS LOCATION.
“With the production of “Emergent Evolution” we just released the, up to this date, most ambitious music video of Obscura. Earlier this year, the entire team flew to Sicily for a week to capture astonishing shots on top of a volcano, in the middle of sulphur springs, within lithified lava streams and inside of natural vaults. We knew this video turns into something unique and special when we sorted the raw material months ago. “Emergent Evolution” exceeded our expectations by far!” – Steffen Kummerer
OBSCURA’s fifth studio album Diluvium is out now on CD/LP/Digital via Relapse Records. Physical packages are available via Relapse.com HERE and Digital Downloads / Streaming Services AT THIS LOCATION.
A full collection of OBSCURA music videos is available via YouTube HERE.
OBSCURA complete their long-running, four-album conceptual circle with the release of Diluvium (defined as a great oceanic flood), their most evocative, diverse and vibrant release to date. Recorded with longtime producer V. Santura (Triptykon, Pestilence) at Woodshed Studios in Landshut, Germany, Diluvium is a stunning achievement for the illustrious quartet and a landmark release for progressive metal as a whole. Complete with all the band’s signature elements plus groundbreaking polyrhythms, dramatic songwriting, and jaw-dropping virtuosity, OBSCURA raise the bar once again with an album that will go down in the annals of metal history as one of the most astonishing performances the genre has to offer.
Obscura 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
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!
V-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.
Featuring all rhythm and lead guitars, live arrangements for two guitars. Including play along tracks for each song.
Purchase here.
1. Clandestine Stars
2. Emergent Evolution
3. Diluvium
4. Mortification of the Vulgar Sun
5. Ethereal Skies
6. Convergence
7. Ekpyrosis
8. The Seventh Aeon
9. The Conjuration
10. An Epilogue to Infinity
Rhythm & Lead Guitars transcribed by Steffen Kummerer & Rafael Trujillo.