Interview with: Obscura

Hell on Fire: Hello Steffen and welcome to H.O.F webzine, everything ok with you?

Steffen: Hello, I am doing fine. Right now I am working on new videoclips for Obscura and prepare the upcoming European Tour with Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus and Evocation for October this year. Everything is going smooth so far.

Hell on Fire: That’s great! Can you talk a little about Obscura since the begining?

Steffen: We started the band back in 2002 in South Germany when we've been 16 and 17. Back then I guess we had some more black metal vibes in the music and the tunes had a more darker athmosphere. Just one year later we recorded our first and only demo, called 'Illegimitation' which was never released so far. With the reputation of a blasting death metal band we where able to play several small tours and got the chance to play some bigger festivals in Germany. Again a year later in 2004 we recorded our debut album 'Retribution' with Alexander Krull at the Mastersound Studios in Germany. Back then the progressive and technical death metal where not that popular than it is nowadays and we where not able to find a partner which was interested to release this album. So we decided to do it by our own and organized a full European Tour with Suffocation (USA) to get some attention from the scene and the media. Cause we had to do everything by our own the release of the debuet was postphoned to that tour which happened in 2006. Short after that we booked another tour in Europe, but this time with the focus on the South and East European countrys which was very interesting as not too many bands are playing in that area. Just in 2008 we recognized that the band is getting busier and busier with every week and the former lineup where not able to bring all of their attention to Obscura anymore and we had to split as freinds. With recruting Christian Muenzner and Hannes Grossmann (bot ex- Necrophagist) and Jeroen Thesseling (ex- Pestilence) we had a full lineup again and wrote the latest album 'Cosmogenesis'.

Hell on Fire: Recently in early 2009 the band released the second full lenght album intituled “Cosmogenesis” via Relapse Records, i must congratulate you guys because this album is simply amazing really well composed and typically the Obscura sound that we are used to listen! Tell me Steffen, are you happy with the final results of it? It was a hard process on studio?

Steffen: Thank you very much for the kind words, great that you like our work. While writing and even recording the second album we haven't had a label at that time. So there where no hurry in the studio or during the writing mode. We just wrote down all the ideas we had and composed the songs we want to listen to by ourself. I am definately satisfied with the production and the album itself. You always find small details you want to change, but I think the most important thing, the vibe of the album, is exactly what we wanted to do. I feel an old school touch in the compositions. We are all fans of Death and also like Cynic, Pestilence, Atheist very much. So I guess that had a huge influence to my compositions.

Hell on Fire: For you which are the main differences between “Cosmogenesis” and the previous album released at 2004 intituled“ Retribution”?

Steffen: There is a huge gap of around five years between both albums. In those years I evolved as instrumentalist and composer very much. Also the different lineup brought some fresh air into the songs of the second album. If you hear both albums in a row, I guess you can recognize a lot of ideas we had also back in 2004 and just worked on the details and used the same settings in 2009 for 'Cosmogenesis'.

Hell on Fire: I guess that you must be the main composer, tell me, when you went on studio you already have the riffs and the main parts of the tracks made or you guys also share ideas for instance when you are rehearsing?

Steffen: Well, we don't rehearse new songs before we go into the studio. All compositions are made at home while using the software GuitarPro where all instruments are worked out with every single note. So we just have to rehearse at home in front of the computer and then hit the road or the studio. That is very easy and on the other hand needed cause we live in different countrys (Germany & The Netherlands).

Hell on Fire: In Obscura formation the other members come from bands such as Pestilence and Necrophagist, you guys are not recent musicians and we can hear that in the tracks, extremely well composed and very technician! It is easier to work with musicians already with experience? Do you feel more comfortable this way, like you have an idea and they already know what to do due to their experience in the music field?

Steffen: If you are working with people that know what they are doing with their instruments that can make thngs very comfortable, that is true. Each member brings in their own different musical background, so they have a huge influence on the band sound. That they are coming from well known bands just proofes that they are no newcomers.

Hell on Fire: What does your lyrics talks about?

Steffen: My lyrics are different to the usual splatter, gore and death lyrics. I don't know if that is nnovative, it just feels more personal if you write down something you really can work with. For the latest album we had a main topic of the genesis of the universe
which was combined with several autobiographic issues. I like the way of the lyrics are worked out and that there is no message. It is just a story and some personal issues, that's it.

Hell on Fire: What do you like to do in your free times?

Steffen: Unfortunately there is not much free time so far. Besides that worldwide touring band I am a student of new media technology and also doing photo and video shoots. My latest work was the clip 'Anticosmic Overload' for Obscura. If you have a minute, feel free to watch it online.

Hell on Fire: Going back to your function in the band as a vocalist, you are also 1 of the guitarrists and the riffs you make for christ sake they are amazing! Did you or do you have an kind of guitar lessons? In your point of view do you think that is important to have music lessons?

Steffen: Well, I never had guitar lessons. If you are talking to friends or other musicians you always get new ideas how to realize this or that on guitar, that is the most interesting help I got so far while learning more about music. When I started with my first guitar in 2002 I just had some education in singing and playing the piano for some years. If you have the chance to get lessons, I would rather choose it than not choose it. From another person you can learn faster and better to get the shredtastic mindsweeping sound you want to get.

Hell on Fire: The best advice you can give for a guitarrist in the begining?

Steffen: Phew, get the right equipment and don't loose the fun playing an instrument. Everything else is just a bonus. If you keep that in your mind, you'll never have problems.

Hell on Fire: Also the best advice but now for a vocalist in the begining! By the way i forgot to ask you if you have any kind of special cares with your voice?

Steffen: Scream as loud as you can! There are no special cares about the voice, if there is some time before the show I do some slight warming up, nothing else. It's death metal. Not Soul.

Hell on Fire: Indeed a great advice, so, talking a little about Germany, does the bands have enough supports in there to survive only with music?

Steffen: In Germany you are not interesting for the media if you are a German band. You have to get the attention in foreign countries first, then the homebase will recognize you. There are only a few bands that can make out aliving of extreme music in Germany. With that said I mean bands such as Kreator, Doro or Tokio Hotel. In Scandinavia you will get supported by the gouverment with a place to rehearsal, with getting flights to the USA payed for example. In Germany to have to work very hard to survive.


Hell on Fire: Starting October 2, Obscura will have concerts during the full month, you will be unleast in 12 countries during this tour and i see Spain in there really close to Portugal? You guys don’t come here? That’s not fair (laughs), i am kidding but someone told me that you guys most probably will come to Portugal in early 2010, can you confirm this? It’s soon to talk about dates and places in portuguese territory right?

Steffen: I would love to go to Portugal for the first time, never been there before. For the shows in October get in touch with Cannibal Corpse why they don't book shows in your country. Well, pretty soon there will be announced an other European Tour in January/February where we will play at least one show in Portugal as far as I know. Let's hope so.

Hell on Fire: Yes as far as i know unleast 1 show will be added in portuguese ground! Also about this tour are you anxious to begin spreading in more countries the sound of Obscura? Any special country to perform?

Steffen: Asia would be a dream we all have since a long time. Playing in South America could be also very interesting. Especially Japan, China and Australia would be great to visit. I love totravel, so that will happen very soon.

Hell on Fire: I’m talking about your latest release but also not to forget the previous album “Retribution” that for me is another piece of art that i really reccomend everyone to listen and to buy, yes to buy! Also in this album you made a cover of the band Death with the song “Lack of Comprehension”! Who had the idea of it? The cover is really well made and Death songs are not easy to play as Chuck used to play only really great and advanced musicians have the guts to play Death songs! Does this amazing guitarrist Chuck Schuldiner inspired you along your career as a musician and also for Obscura sound?

Steffen: Back then we discussed several different ideas which cover there should be as a bonus on the album. In the end we decided to use Death's 'Lack of Comprehension' because of his huge influence on our sound as a band. Exept for the drums I am still satisfied with the result. Chuck created a new sound when he added Paul Masvidal and Sean Reinert who brought something new on the table; the fusion and jazz influences within the regular old school death metal. That is definitely something that inspired me during the last years.

Hell on Fire: Talking a little about Obscura label Relapse Records! Are you guys happy to make part of this huge label? For you Steffen which are the benefits of having a label?

Steffen: Back in the days we organized everything by our own, the release, tours, single shows and so on. Nowadays we work for the first time with a label and can't complain about anything. Relapse where responsible that we where able to hit the Billboar Charts, that we got the chance to play the first North America and Canada tour in our history. Besides the working issues, we have a wonderfull cooperation also with the whole staff of the label. If we are in The Netherlands the EU office visits the shows, in the US we where able to say 'hi' to everybody. I don't regret the signing to Relapse at all.

Hell on Fire: Do you remember with which bands you grow up listening to?

Steffen: Sure, there have been a lot of different metal and non metal acts that inspired me. Such as Death, Cynic, Atheist, Portishead, Megadeth, Metallica, Dissection and many more. Nowadays I am also into Yes, Steven Wilsons projects and bands, some fusion and flamenco bands that the other members bring up during the shows. Very interesting music.

Hell on Fire: One band/s that you would like to share the stage with?

Steffen: A tour with Opeth, Nevermore, Cynic or Megadeth would be a honour.

Hell on Fire: That sounds really good! Favourite band/s and vocalist/s of all time?

Steffen: Bands are with no doubt Cynic, Death, Portishead. With vocalists I am not sure. I like Beth Gibbons very much, 'cause of her and open attitude to bring a song to life.

Hell on Fire: Great great bands, now, going back to April, what can you say about the first ever North American tour alongside with Cannibal Corpse? It was a good experience? How as been the reaction of the crowd so far? Also the reaction of the media?

Steffen: The reactions have been very positive so far. We had a great time with Neuraxis & The Faceless on the road. Cannibal Corpse invited us for this tour and are one of the most layed back bands of all time. This October we are together on the road again and looking forward to meet the guys again. The shows in the US had a good turn out and in Canada as in the US the we felt very welcome. Also after the shows we always met people which where satisfied to see us for the first time. We would love to come back to America as soon as possible.

Hell on Fire: In the latest release, Obscura have guest appearences from Ron Jarzombek (Spastic Ink, Blotted Science) and Tymon Kruidenier (Cynic)! Can you talk a little about this guys as musicians? It was good to play with them?

Steffen: We know Tymon also beside chatting via a computer, Ron we never met so far unfortunately. Both of the contributed a wonderfull guitar solo to 'Cosmogenesis'. Ron sounds as he would try to sound as Queen in his guest appearance.

Hell on Fire: What do you want to say for those that always support Obscura since the begining?

Steffen: Without our close friends and fans from the first days this band would not exist anymore. Also during hard times whn we haven't had a full lineup they supported us as much as they could, so we have to be very thankfull to all those who helped us to survive.

Hell on Fire: Thank you very much for your time Steffen, i wish you and the rest of the band all the good luck for Cosmogenesis, for this next tour and also for future concerts and new albums to come! All the best and hope to see you guys in Portugal!

Steffen: We would love to come to Prtugal as soon as possible. So let's hope we will get the chance to play at least one show in the next months. Thank you very much for your interest in our band, keep on supporting your local bands & see you on tour!
Best regards,
Steffen Kummerer & Obscura




By: Nightshade

Obscura Myspace
www.myspace.com/realmofobscura

Obscura Official Site
www.obscura-metal.com