Fast cars and even faster guitars are what you get on OBSCURA‘s new music video off their upcoming studio album “A Valediction.” Only one more month to go before the band’s 6th studio album will see the light of day on November 19th, and virtuosic frontman Steffen Kummerer and his renowned band-mates unveil yet another new song from their upcoming chef-d’euvre. As one of the more melodic tracks on the album, “When Stars Collide” even features a striking clean vocal guest performance by their label mate Björn “Speed” Strid besides the band’s unprecedented polyrhythms and solos.
The music video was once again produced by director Mirko Witzki and does not only offer the possibility to witness the outstanding talent of the musicians during the performance, but also some visual pleasure for car nerds.
Steffen Kummerer comments: “One of the highlights and contested compositions of ‘A Valediction’ features Björn Strid of our label mates SOILWORK. ‘When Stars Collide’ recombines an uplifting pace with a rather dark and bitter narrative that leads into to a story for reflection. A sense of delight and feeling of relief covers all mournful misery.”
Thematically dealing with final farewells, the new album will be a very personal record, as founder & mastermind Steffen Kummerer reveals: “A Valediction unfolds Obscura in its purest form and showcases the band at new heights and offers immediacy with a rather personal touch. We cannot wait to perform this album on stage and celebrate each and every song live with our loyal fans around the globe. This record goes to eleven, so watch out for the first single dropping in July and worldwide tour dates to be announced soon.”
“A Valediction” was mixed and mastered by award-winning producer Fredrik Nordström in Gothenburg, Sweden and thematically deals with final farewells. The album will be available in the listed formats below and is now finally up for pre-order and pre-save via this link.
- Digipak
- Digipak incl. patch + signing card (NB mail-order exclusive)
- Jewelcase (USA)
- 2 LP 180g with etching on D-side in the following colors:
- Black
- Silver (wholesale + NB mail-order)
- Gold (NB mail-order, limited to 300)
- Bronze (band-shop, limited to 200)
- White with red+toffee splatter (band-shop, limited to 300)
- Yellow + orange cloudy (USA)
- Transparent red+black marbled (Decibel, limited to 200)
OBSCURA mastermind and founder Steffen Kummerer states: “‘A Valediction’ unfolds OBSCURA in its purest form and showcases the band at new heights and offers immediacy with a rather personal touch. We cannot wait to perform this album on stage and celebrate each and every song live with our loyal fans around the globe. This record goes to eleven, so watch out for the first single dropping in July and worldwide tour dates to be announced soon.”
The album, graced by a cover artwork painted by internationally renowned artist Eliran Kantor, will consist of 11 new studio tracks.
“A Valediction” Album Artwork
“A Valediction” Album Tracklisting:
1. Forsaken
2. Solaris
3. A Valediction
4. When Stars Collide (feat. Björn “Speed” Strid)
5. In Unity
6. Devoured Usurper
7. The Beyond
8. Orbital Elements II
9. The Neuromancer
10. In Adversity
11. Heritage
In May 2020, guitarist Christian Münzner rejoined OBSCURA as a permanent member. Münzner, known for his virtuoso guitar playing in extreme metal, joined OBSCURA in 2008 and recorded the band’s critically acclaimed full-length albums “Cosmogenesis” (2009) and “Omnivium” (2011), both released via Relapse Records. In April 2020, Dutch fretless bass player Jeroen Paul Thesseling rejoined OBSCURA after a nine-year break. The group also announced Austrian drummer David Diepold as its new member. Now, with the comeback of Münzner, 75 percent of the classic “Cosmogenesis” (2009) and “Omnivium” (2011) lineup is reunited.
Founded in 2002, OBSCURA established its reputation by releasing five studio albums which have been highly acclaimed by fans and press alike, accompanied by playing support tours as well as their own headline shows all around the globe.
OBSCURA is:
- Steffen Kummerer / Vocals, Guitars
- Christian Münzner / Guitars
- Jeroen Paul Thesseling / Bass
- David Diepold / Drums
