Obsidian Kingdom
| Obsidian Kingdom | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Barcelona, Spain |
| Genres | Post-metal, progressive rock, alternative, experimental |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Website | http://obsidiankingdom.com/ |
| Members |
Rider G Omega Prozoid Zeta JSI Zer0 Æmeour Íggdrasil Ojete Mordaza II Fleast Race O'Uden |
| Past members |
Croma LAN Ro Fatal Error Pl(a)n Saten Haz Im Nu |
Obsidian Kingdom is a music band formed in 2005 in Barcelona, whose music is not easy to label.[1] The band itself defines it as “hard-to-classify heavy sound with plenty of contrasts”.[2]
History
Early works
The band was originally formed by guitar player Rider G Omega and drummer Croma LAN Ro in Barcelona. Guitar player Prozoid Zeta JSI and bass player Fatal Error Pl\:A\n joined the band later in 2005, and the line-up was completed in 2006 with singer Saten Haz Im Nu.[3] Their first work was the MCD Matter (2007), the reviews of which were overall good while highlighting production as a weak point.[4] During the subsequent year after Matter’s release, Obsidian Kingdom toured Spain and Portugal.
Their following release, the EP 3:11, was recorded during 2009 and out in 2010, serving as a preview to what should have been their first album: Fera.[5] The band entrusted Ritxi Ostáriz (Ulver, Ihsahn) with the artwork design.[6] On this occasion, reviews underlined the band's evolution in sound and composition,[7] as well as the great amount of influences and different styles that could be heard in their music.[8]
Right before the release of 3:11, the band's line-up suffered drastic changes, with the departures of Nu, Ro, and Pl(a)n, but by 2011 the lineup had stabilized with the addition of keyboard player Zer0 Æmeour Íggdrasil, drummer Ojete Mordaza II, and bass player Fleast Race O’Uden.[9] Obsidian Kingdom promoted 3:11 with this new setup during 2011, through a few local shows.[10]
Mantiis
In November 2012 Obsidian Kingdom released the LP Mantiis, a concept album consisting of a single song divided into 14 tracks, which is defined by reflecting a diverse palette of emotions[11] and the great amount of genres that it contains.[12] The album, that includes guest appearances by Fiar (singer from the Catalan Black Metal band Foscor) and trumpeter Nicholas Dominic Talvola, obtained very positive reviews from specialised press.[13][14][15] Once more, design was in charge of Ritxi Ostáriz, who posed this time as Art Director while creative responsibilities relied on visual artist Elena Gallen.
Mantiis was officially presented live on December 14, 2012 at Music Hall in Barcelona with Cut the End as supporting band. The album was played in its entirety and the band finished the concert with a cover of the traditional American folk song Wayfaring Stranger.[16] Late live appearances during 2013 include the support of Cult of Luna during their January shows in Madrid and Barcelona,[17] and their performance in April at Headway Festival.[18]
In November 2013, the band released Torn & Burnt, which contains seven remixes from Mantiis signed by electronic producers such as DJ Oktopus from Dälek, Subheim, Poordream, Necro Deathmort, Jr Morgue, Drumcorps, Larvae and Mothboy.
In April 2014 Obsidian Kingdom is signed to the independent music label Season of Mist.[19] Following the re-issue of Mantiis on October 24th,[20] the band embarked on a tour across Europe and the UK, headlined by the Icelandic post-metal band Sólstafir. [21] Obsidian Kingdom's performance throughout the tour received praiseworthy reviews from the media, which highlighted the band's presence,[22] energy[23] and intensity[24] onstage.
Present Day
Obsidian Kingdom is currently immersed in the writing process of what will be the band's second album, expected to be released sometime between 2015 and 2016.[25]
Discography
- Matter (January the 9th 2007, MCD)
- 3:11 (March the 11th 2010, EP)
- Mantiis (November the 16th 2012, LP)
- Torn & Burnt (November the 15th 2013, remix album)
- A Year of No Summer (March the 11th 2016, LP)
Members
|
|
References
- ↑ "Mantiis Review at The Sound of Confusion". Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- ↑ "Band's description at last.fm". Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ↑ "3:11 Review at The Sentinel" (in Spanish). Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ↑ "Matter Review at Pitchline-Zine" (in Spanish). Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ↑ "3:11 Review at The Sentinel" (in Spanish). Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ↑ "3:11 Review at Pitchline-Zine" (in Spanish). Retrieved July 1, 2014.
- ↑ "3:11 Review at Pitchline-Zine" (in Spanish). Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ↑ "Obsidian Kingdom Interview at Heavy Blog Is Heavy". Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ↑ "Empire Magazine nº 16 "Obsidian Kingdom" p.45 interview by Marc Gutierrez" (in Spanish). Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ↑ "Live Report at Metal Symphony". Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ↑ "Mantiis Review at Hipersónica" (in Spanish). Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ↑ "Mantiis Review at The Sound of Confusion". Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ↑ "Terrorizer Magazine, issue 233". Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ↑ "Legacy Magazine, January 2013, issue 82, page 143" (in German). Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ↑ "Metal Hammer Magazine, issue 302-page 22" (in Spanish). Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ↑ "Live Report at Hipersónica". Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ↑ "Live Report at Rafabasa". Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ↑ "Live Report at Tempelores Magazine". Retrieved August 4, 2013.
- ↑ "Season of Mist signs Obsidian Kingdom". Lamb Goat. April 23, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Obsidian Kingdom News". Season of Mist. August 20, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
- ↑ "Sólstafir News". Season of Mist. October 30, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
- ↑ "Live Report at Unlimited Rock Magazine" (in Spanish). Retrieved December 27, 2014.
- ↑ "Live Report at Metal1.info" (in German). Retrieved December 27, 2014.
- ↑ "Live Report at Songs for the Deaf Radio" (in Portuguese). Retrieved December 27, 2014.
- ↑ "Interview at Blocnroll" (in Catalan). October 20, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
