Obscura (band)

Obscura
Steffen Kummerer and Hannes Grossmann, 2010
Background information
Origin	Munich, Germany
Genres	Death metal, technical death metal[1]
Years active	2002-present
Labels	Relapse Records
Associated acts	Necrophagist, Thulcandra, Spawn of Possession, Blotted Science, Pestilence
Members
Steffen Kummerer Christian Muenzner Hannes Grossmann Linus Klausenitzer
Past members
Jeroen Paul Thesseling Steve DiGiorgio Jonas Baumgartl Jonas Fischer Markus Lempsch

Obscura are a technical death metal band from Munich, Germany.

History

Obscura was founded in 2002 by Steffen Kummerer. The band was named after the Gorguts album Obscura.^[2] In 2006 Obscura self-released their debut album Retribution and toured alongside Suffocation within Europe. A European headlining tour through East and South Europe followed in 2007. Later that year, drummer Hannes Grossmann (ex-Necrophagist) and bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling (Pestilence) were added as new permanent members.^[3] The group's latest addition, guitarist Christian Muenzner (ex-Necrophagist) came into the ranks early 2008.^[4] In September 2008 Obscura signed with Relapse Records ^[5] and released its second full-length album Cosmogenesis in early 2009. The band started their first-ever North American tour as part of the 'Cosmogenesis Worldtour' in April 2009 alongside Cannibal Corpse. Within one year the band played more than 160 shows all over the world as support for Atheist, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cannibal Corpse besides their first headliner tour in the USA. Obscura got the chance to tour Japan as support of Nile & 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, Germany followed by a full European tour alongside Hate Eternal, Beneath the Massacre & Defiled. In June & July the same year they played a five week major market tour supporting Children of Bodom & Devin Townsend 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.

Members

Current members

• Steffen Kummerer - guitars & vocals (2002–present)
• Christian Muenzner - guitars (2008–present)
• Hannes Grossmann - 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 Thesseling - bass (2007–2010)

Touring members

• Steve DiGiorgio - 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) Retribution (self released in 2004, rereleased in 2006 via VOTS Records, Remastered in 2010 and rereleased via Relapse Records)
• (2009) Cosmogenesis (Relapse Records)
• (2011) Omnivium (Relapse Records)

References

1. ^ "Obscura". Allmusic. http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:dbfpxqlrldte. Retrieved 2010-01-19. 
2. ^ Burton, Brent. "Obscura". Decibel magazine. http://decibelmagazine.com/Content.aspx?ncid=260055. Retrieved 2009-01-26. ^{[dead link]}
3. ^ "Obscura Joined By Former Pestilence Bassist". blabbermouth.com. 2007-12-10. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=86442. Retrieved 2009-03-28. 
4. ^ "Obscura Joined By Former Necrophagist Guitarist". blabbermouth.com. 2008-01-22. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=88998. Retrieved 2009-01-26. 
5. ^ "Obscura Signs with Relapse Records". blabbermouth.com. 2008-09-12. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104645. Retrieved 2009-01-26. 

External links

• Obscura Home Page
• Obscura at Relapse Records