Obscurity (band)

Obscurity is a German extreme metal band with strong Viking metal influences hailing from Velbert, a city in the Bergisches Land in North Rhine-Westphalia. They are one of the early German death, black, Viking, and pagan metal bands.

History

Obscurity was formed by Agalaz (guitar), Arganar (drums), Nezrac (vocals), Dornaz (guitar) and Ziu (bass) in 1997. The five founding members had already known each other for years before deciding to make their own contribution to metal.

They picked the name Obscurity because in their formative years their musical style could not be clearly assigned to a specific metal genre. Since "obscurity" means 'darkness' as well as 'lack of clarity', it is an apt description of their comprehensive musical scope. This is even emphasised by the Viking metal influences which they developed at a very early stage. Bands playing this kind of metal often choose names originating from Nordic mythology, so the band name is unusual, but it is representative.

Obscurity identifies strongly with the Bergisches LandOBSCURITY :: Metalverrückte "Bergische Löwen"
interview with Ziu, Amboss, 25 April 2009 and use the Bergisch Lion, the heraldic emblem of the counts and subsequent dukes of Berg who ruled there in the Middle Ages, as a 'trademark' which features on almost all their releases.

In 2003, founding member Dornaz left Obscurity. He is still a 'stand-by' member of the band and also shared the stage with them on their 10-year anniversary. After Dornaz’ departure experienced guitarist and longtime friend Cortez took up his position. Through his joining of the band they gained more heft and enlarged their musical spectrum.

The same year, the band signed a distribution contract with Twilight for their album ''Thurisaz''.Obscurity
Sputnik Music

In 2006, the band signed a new record and distribution deal with Massacre Records for the follow-up album ''Schlachten & Legenden''.

In 2007 Obscurity celebrated their 10-year anniversary. The album ''Schlachten & Legenden'' was released in April and distributed by Massacre Records/Soulfood.

In 2008 shouter Nezrac left the band. The same year the group signed a new record contract with the music label SMP/Trollzorn.

The album ''Várar'' hit stores in March 2009, being distributed by SMP Records/Soulfood.Interview with Ziu
at heavyhardes.de, 17 March 2009 It was originally planned as a theme album celebrating the 2,000-year anniversary of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. The same year, Dornaz returned to the band.

Obscurity have explicitly distanced themselves from any politically extremist views in the metal scene, saying that those involved in metal should combat Nazism and right-wing extremism in general. They vehemently express this position in their booklets,For example in the Lords of Metal interview, where they state they are "against any form of extreme political ideology" and say the Pagan Viking metal bands "have to take firm stand against such invaders Nazi punks"and have to fight them because we prefer to lie ourselves" but the booklet had insufficient space for the interviewer's suggested wording, "We play metal because we love it and have no political message or interest whatsoever; to all who think there is a political message in our music nevertheless we would like to say 'get a life'". through interview statements, in announcements during live gigs and even in one of their songs.

Lyrics and musical style

Lyrics

Obscurity’s lyrical themes range from the martial and warlike to themes derived from Nordic mythology and also include pure fiction. In their early days they also used lyrics that were typically black metal. Political themes, however, have never been of any significance for the band and, therefore, never taken up. Their lyrics are mostly in German.

Musical style

During their first years Obscurity mainly played death/black metal with some Viking metal influences. Since 1998, Viking metal aspects have been exerting a more and more dominating influence on the band which is primarily displayed in their lyrics as well as in some musical elements.

Their musical direction today is a mix of melodic death metal and black metal enriched with strong Viking metal influences and also possessing some thrash metal features.

Obscurity confines themselves to playing traditional metal instruments (drums, guitars, bass). Other instruments which are frequently used in pagan metal, like keyboards, violins and flutes and medieval gear are intentionally not employed.

Their music is very fast, heavy, and spiked with hymn-like melodies. The band’s sound is sometimes very cold and brutal, yet harmonic and an emphasis is placed on production. It is deeply rooted in the 'underground' but still very catchy.

Obscurity are often compared with bands like Amon Amarth, Naglfar, Dissection and Unleashed. With regard to some of the Obscurity’s musical elements also Bathory or Immortal are mentioned as references.

From 1997 to 2008, all recordings of demos and albums, layouts, etc. were solely self-financed and self-produced by Obscurity. The band refuse to let their responsibility and freedom of artistic expression be taken away by contracts of any kind. Both of their distribution and record contracts were only agreed to after completion of the albums. It was only for their four official records that they got an experienced producer/co-producer on board – Bony (shouter of Japanische Kampfhörspiele), a longtime friend and companion of the band.

Gallery

Obscurity Dark Troll 2018 20.jpg, Singer Agalaz
Obscurity Dark Troll 2018 27.jpg, Guitarist Dornaz
Obscurity Dark Troll 2018 25.jpg, Guitarist Cortez
Obscurity Dark Troll 2018 17.jpg, Bass guitarist Ziu
Obscurity Dark Troll 2018 04.jpg, Drummer Draugr

Members

Current

* Agalaz – guitars (1997–2009), lead vocals (2008–present)
* Dornaz – guitars (1997–2004, 2009–present)
* Askar – guitars (2018–present)
* Ziu – bass (1997–present)
* Zorn – drums (2018–present)

Former

* Nezrac – lead vocals (1997–2008)
* Arganar – drums (1997–2016)
* Cortez – guitars (2004–2018)
* Draugr – drums (2016–2018)

Timeline

Discography

* ''Bergisch Land'' (2000)
* ''Thurisaz'' (2003)
* ''Schlachten & Legenden'' (2007)
* ''Várar (2009)
* ''Tenkterra'' (2010)
* ''Obscurity'' (2012)
* ''Vintar'' (2014)
* ''Streitmacht'' (2017)
* ''Skogarmaors'' (2021)

References

External links

official homepage
*

Obscurity (Ger) - Discography
at Metal Kingdom

Obscurity (Deu)
at Encyclopaedia Metallum

Interview with Agalaz at Fiesta Pagana 2010

{{Authority control
German melodic death metal musical groups
German heavy metal musical groups
German black metal musical groups
Viking metal musical groups
Symphonic black metal musical groups
Musical groups established in 1997