Obscurity

This was a tragic announcement (to me, at least). 3/4 of Obscura had parted ways to form Obsidious. Media statements did not hint at any major internal friction but as it is with such big line-up changes, inner turbulence might be it. This is one of the most talented band in extreme metal with schooled musicians making the numbers. Darn.

PIC: Obscura IG

Weekend acquisition

How the Saturday went:

• John Mayer. Not exactly a fan but he's one of the most formidable songwriter out there so it's worth the time & money. Had been listening to his motivational talks lately so checking his music out. He went into a blues phase which puts me off so those songs got quickly deleted from the playlist. More into his pop sensibilities & compositional approach.
• Obscura. Awesome as ever. Checking how the new Kiesel is working out for Trujillo but with  that much gain in action, it sounded like his former Ibanez adventure. It's about the music, not the brand name. 

Yes, I'm still buying CDs. I don't do downloads. 

Switch camp

He is currently one of the most talented players in the death metal scene- Obscura's Rafael Trujillo. Like many others before him, he just left the Ibanez camp & now into the Kiesel turf. How do we stop people from switching loyalty? We can't. In addition to the product greatness per se, there are other push factors which are unseen to us. More often than not, it's the inability to give players what they want & that includes human support.

Obscura to perform here

Obscura are coming over! TBC: 27th Spet 2011. More details to come, watch this space.

Obscura: Omnivium

This is the German quartet, Obscura.

They've just released Omnivium which is a worthy release because 2 of the most talented players in extreme music are in this band.

One of them is the fleet fingered Christian Muenzner (yes, he endorses Ibanez). His techniques & choice of notes are sublime.

The other is the unquestionable, fretless bass wizard, Jeroen Paul Thesseling. Sounds familiar? That's because you've heard him before in Pestilence's Spheres album.

Omnivium is an interesting release because you might deem them repulsive after hearing the opening title, Septuagint; it's too metal-core. Think Shadows Fall. But that's the initial brush with all things intense & technical. Persevere & you'll hear the Morbid Angel & Cynic influences in the mix but these lads aren't doing the cut-paste in terms of ideas. They hold their own & Omnivium proves to be a redemption of sorts especially after you've heard its predecessor, Cosmogenesis. This is definitely one of my favourites for 2011.