Interview by Ali Williams
Trying to kick off an interview while your tech does that fun little “betrayal at the worst possible moment” routine is a very modern way to start talking to the frontman of Obscura. Thankfully, Steffen Kummerer was unbothered, cheerful, and immediately in touring mode, calling in from Munich while the band’s next moves were already stacked: flying to the US on Sunday, detouring through France for rehearsals and pre-production, then rolling straight into a year that’s shaping up to be a monster. He casually drops that Obscura are playing 80 to 100 shows this year, then lists off a “long Asian run” that includes China, India, Japan, Mongolia, Armenia and Georgia. Most people need a nap after saying those words out loud. Steffen sounds excited.
The real reason for the chat, though, is Shredfest. Obscura have been here twice already: 2019 (a handful of shows with Alarum) and 2023 (a festival plus one sideshow), with that last visit being so tight they were in the country for less than 48 hours. Steffen calls it “brutal” in that very touring-band way: great show, great people, no time to actually be here. This time is the opposite. Shredfest brings Obscura back for 11 shows across Australia and New Zealand, including stops in Darwin and Hobart which even Steffen has been told are “absolutely not common” for international tours. He genuinely doesn’t know what to expect, which is half the fun.
He also explains why this run is set up the way it is. Shredfest is a travelling festival with five bands each night: two international acts (Obscura and Fallujah) plus two Australian bands (Ashen and Anoxia), then special guests added per show. The point is not to drag everyone through a “support acts are background noise” evening. The goal is a full day that rewards people who show up early, with proper production and a line-up designed to cover different corners of extreme metal. Ashen bring the more “orthodox” death metal end, Fallujah sit in the progressive lane, and Obscura… well, Steffen gives the diplomatic version: “techy or melodic, whatever you call it.” That little shrug of a line tells you a lot about the man.
There’s also a tasty detail for the collectors and the “I was there” crowd: Obscura are recording every show on this cycle, including audience mics, with the idea that one of these performances might become a future live release. Steffen is honest about the variables: the band has to play well (because, yes, not every day is perfect), and the crowd has to bring the noise. Then he throws the challenge back to fans: come through, have a good time, and you might end up on the next live album. No pressure, Australia.
Become a supporter of this podcast:
https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
