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Pestilence - New Custom Bass From JPT

Dutch bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling (Pestilence, Obscura) will promote the recently completed Pestilence album Doctrine with a new custom made bass guitar. This week the German bass manufacturer Warwick confirmed to support Thesseling by building a seven-string fretless version of their classic Thumb NT series that he plays exclusively since 17 years.

"In the studio we decided to record the new Doctrine material with a low F-sharp tuning on bass, but then I still needed to find a way to work it out for live performances. I'm proud of the long-term collaboration with Warwick; this masterpiece will make it sound extremely massive.", according to Jeroen. Pestilence's Doctrine will be released in April through Mascot Records. Obscura will release its new album, Omnivium, in March via Relapse Records.

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Source: warwick.de
Band profile: Pestilence
Posted: 08.02.2011 by Unknown user | Comments (2)


Pestilence - First-Ever South American Tour Dates

Pestilence recently announced its first-ever tour of South America in February. So far the following shows have been confirmed (with more dates to be announced soon):

Pestilence - South American Tour:

Feb. 09 - Moulin Rouge - Caracas, Venezuela
Feb. 11 - Derrama Magisterial - Lima, Peru
Feb. 12 - Macabre Chili Fest - Valparaiso, Chile
Feb. 13 - The Roxy Live - Buenos Aires, Argentina

In other news, Dutch bass player magazine De Bassist conducted a video interview with Jeroen Paul Thesseling (Pestilence, Obscura). The 7-minute segment was filmed on December 17th, 2010 at De Effenaar during Holland's Eindhoven Metal Meeting. Jeroen talks about his background as a fretless bass player, the switch to a new tuning, and much more. You can now watch the chat below.

Thesseling is one of the very few bassists in the metal scene that plays fretless basses. He recently recorded the albums Doctrine (Pestilence), Omnivium (Obscura) and Quarterpast (MaYaN), all to be released within the next few months.


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Source: pestilence.nl
Band profile: Pestilence
Event: Pestilence
Posted: 14.01.2011 by Unknown user | Comments (5)


Jeroen Paul Thesseling Offering Bass Guitar Lessons In Europe

OBSCURA / PESTILENCE bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling, who is known for his signature six-string fretless playing in progressive death metal, is offering private bass lessons and personal coaching in metal and other styles. "These lessons are suitable for bass players of all levels who want to get more out of their instrument. Many bassists in metal and other genres concentrate primarily on playing techniques, while there's often more that could be developed. The main focus, therefore, will be on intonation, tone development, bass arrangements and fretless playing", says Thesseling. The lessons will be given in Amsterdam , the Netherlands , as well as in Genoa , Italy . Interested parties can contact Jeroen via his official website www.jeroenthesseling.com

Photo by Iñaki, Metal Hammer Spain:


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Source: jeroenthesseling.com
Band profile: Obscura
Posted: 17.04.2010 by Unknown user | Comments (4)


Obscura - Bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling Promotes Hellborg Amplification Line

Bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling promotes Hellborg amplification line

Dutch bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling (Obscura, Pestilence) will promote the Hellborg amplification line by Germany 's bass manufacturer Warwick. Thesseling, known for his signature six-string fretless playing in extreme metal, has played Warwick Thumb basses exclusively since 1993. Thesseling will be using a Hellborg stack during the upcoming Obscura and Pestilence tours in addition to Hellborg preamps for recordings of both band's upcoming studio albums. More information on Thesseling's Warwick gear can be found here http://www.warwick.de/modules/endorser/endorser.php?endorserID=719

Thesseling joined the German progressive death metal band Obscura in late 2007 and played on the group's second full-length album Cosmogenesis. This past October, Thesseling rejoined Pestilence after a 15-year break.

Thesseling and Obscura have recently announced that they will join The Black Dahlia Murder, 3 Inches Of Blood and more for the 2010 Bonecrusher Fest. This month-long European tour will kick-off on January 8th in Wiesbaden , Germany . A listing of confirmed tour dates and cities can be found below. Thesseling will also join Pestilence during their 2010 tours.

Obscura Tour Dates:

January 8 Wiesbaden , Germany Schlachthof
January 9 Oberhausen , Germany Turbinenhalle
January 10 Hamburg , Germany Markthalle
January 11 Malmo , Sweden KB
January 12 Aarhus , Denmark Voxhall
January 13 Berlin , Germany Columbia Club
January 14 Prague , Czech Rep. Abaton
January 15 Nurnburg , Germany Hirsch
January 16 Dresden , Germany Reithalle
January 17 Wien , Austria Arena
January 18 Budapest , Hungary Diesel
January 19 Ljubljana , Slovenia Kino Siska
January 20 Munchen , Germany Backstage Werk
January 21 Bologna , Italy Estragon
January 22 Milan , Italy Musicdrome
January 23 Erstfeld , Switzerland Transilvania Live Club
January 24 Esch-Alzette , Luxembourg Kulturfabrik
January 26 Barcelona , Spain Salamandra 1
January 27 Madrid , Spain Joy Eslava
January 28 Porto , Portugal Cine Teatro Julio Diniz
January 29 Durango , Spain Plateruena
January 30 Paris , France Trabendo
January 31 Antwerp , Belgium Muziekodroom
February 1 Bristol , UK Academy
February 2 Leeds , UK Rios
February 3 Glasgow , UK Garage
February 4 Birmingham , UK Academy
February 5 London , UK ULU
February 6 Utrecht , Holland Tivoli

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Source: relapse.com
Band profile: Obscura
Posted: 25.11.2009 by Unknown user | Comments (0)


Pestilence - Rejoined By Jeroen Paul Thesseling After 15-Year Hiatus

Ex-Pestilence bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling, who played on the band's fourth album Spheres (1993), will rejoin the Dutch death metallers after a break of 15 years. Thesseling has played in the Progressive Death Metal band Obscura since late 2007 and played on their second album Cosmogenesis, released in February this year. He will play in both bands as of now.

Here is a comment from Thesseling: "After such a long period of time it's great to be part of Pestilence again. I'm convinced that this cooperation will result in brilliant technical death metal. In order to avoid misunderstandings I want to emphasize that I will continue to work with my German colleagues of Obscura as well."

Pestilence vocalist/guitarist Patrick Mameli had this to say: "I'm very happy to welcome Jeroen once more to the Pestilence camp. Also a big thanks goes out to Tony Choy, who successfully participated on the Resurrection... album and tour. We all wish him the best of luck in the future!!! Tony is just too busy that we had to find a suitable replacement. I'm convinced that Jeroen, just like Tony on Resurrection..., will put his signature on this new Pestilence album, that fans really don't have to compare these two great bass players with each other. Both have a great style. Also, I would like to stress that, by no means, this collaboration with Jeroen, will result in a Spheres part 2, since this is not our goal. Our goal is to create the most brutal and technical Pestilence album ever. I'm currently composing new songs with the 8 string Ibanez, which will give Pestilence a new dimension in our own style. Keywords: Low, chunky and a-tonal morbidity!!! So be ready to be blown away!!!"

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Source: roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile: Pestilence
Posted: 30.10.2009 by Unknown user | Comments (13)


Obscura - Premiere Video Clip Via MySpace Exclusively

Obscura sees a worldwide premiere of their video for "The Anticosmic Overload" tonight at 21:00 CET, the first video from their already critically acclaimed debut album "Cosmogenesis", via MySpace exclusively.

"The Anticosmic Overload" was directed and filmed by Steffen Kummerer & Christoph Harrer for their final project in video design at the University of Deggendorf, Germany. The video was shot at the Metropolis Music Hall in Munich during November 2008. "Cosmogenesis" will see a March 2nd international release.

Additionally Obscura will undertake a massive "Cosmogenesis" USA tour in April 2009 as support of death-metal-masters Cannibal Corpse. With a follow up tour in Europe to be announced later this year. More info and tour dates can be found at this location.

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Source: myspace.com
Band profile: Obscura
Posted: 06.02.2009 by Unknown user | Comments (3)


Obscura - Title Track Posted Online

German death metallers Obscura have posted a fourth preview track, the title song "Cosmogenesis" featuring a guest appearance by Ron Jarzombek (Spastic Ink, Watchtower), from their forthcoming Relapse debut "Cosmogenesis".

The song can be heard online now via the band's official MySpace. "Cosmogenesis" will see its North American release on February 17th, 2009 (March 2nd internationally). Additional release information and album artwork can be found here.

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Source: myspace.com
Band profile: Obscura
Posted: 24.01.2009 by Unknown user | Comments (1)


Obscura - Third Track Posted Online

German death metallers Obscura have posted a third preview track, "Universe Momentum", from their forthcoming Relapse debut, "Cosmogenesis". The song "Universe Momentum" can be heard online now via the band's official MySpace page, and represents the high technical levels of the lineup with ex-members of Necrophagist and Pestilence.

Recently "Cosmogenesis" was listed in "The Top 25 Most Anticipated Records of 2009" in Decibel Magazine. The album will see its North American release on February 17th, 2009 (March 2nd internationally) and features guest appearances from Ron Jarzombek (Watchtower, Spastic Ink, Blotted Science) and Tymon Kruidenier (Cynic, Exivious).

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Source: myspace.com
Band profile: Obscura
Posted: 06.01.2009 by Unknown user | Comments (0)


Obscura - Another New Song Posted Online

German death metallers Obscura have posted another brand new track, "Incarnated", on their MySpace page. The song comes off the group's second full-length album, "Cosmogenesis", which will be released in the U.S. on February 17, 2009 via Relapse Records (March 2 internationally). The CD features guest appearances from Ron Jarzombek (Watchtower, Spastic Ink, Blotted Science) and Tymon Kruidenier (Cynic, Exivious). "The new album sounds very intense and brutal", the band says in a statement.

Obscura was founded in 2002 by guitarist/vocalist Steffen Kummerer. After several lineup changes, Kummerer enlisted a new team of virtuoso musicians. Late last year, Obscura added drummer Hannes Grossmann (ex-Necrophagist) and fretless bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling (ex-Pestilence) as new permanent members. The group's latest addition, guitarist Christian Muenzner (ex-Necrophagist), came into the ranks earlier this year.

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Source: blabbermouth.net
Band profile: Obscura
Posted: 13.12.2008 by Unknown user | Comments (0)


Obscura - Join Relapse Contamination Tour 2009

Origin, Skinless, Obscura, Man Must Die and Antigama will join forces for the first-ever European edition of the legendary "Relapse Records Contamination Tour". The tour will bring extremity as only Relapse Records can provide to the UK and Europe in an extensive four week run.

Tour spearhead Origin recently issued their new full-length "Antithesis" to massive worldwide acclaim! Widely thought of as one of the most brutal and technical death metal bands in the world, Origin return to stake their claim as the leaders of metal's new wave of extremity. Faster, heavier, and decidedly more advanced than anyone could have ever envisioned the genre becoming, "Antithesis" is a modern day death metal classic which proves Origin stand head and shoulders above their peers. Infamous New York death metal destroyers Skinless will co-headline the bill and bring their patented brand of chaos back to Europe for the first time in years. Widely-regarded as one of the best live death metal bands in the world with their slamming death metal grooves and hell-bent commitment to fun, Skinless will be previewing new material from their forthcoming new album as well as delivering all the crushing hits from their previous four full-lengths.

The newest addition to the Relapse family, Germany's technical metal masters Obscura boast a lineup packed with ex-members of such legendary bands as Pestilence and Necrophagist. Obscura's forthcoming Relapse debut "Cosmogenesis" (coming March 2009), might very well be THE death metal record of 2009 and will more than justify the bands already impressive pedigree. Prepare to be amazed! Scotland's metal wrecking crew Man Must Die, the first-ever UK band signed to Relapse, will release their new full-length"No Tolerance For Imperfection" in April 2009. The band previously turned heads in '07 and '08 with their Relapse debut "The Human Condition" and tours alongside heavyweights such as Misery Index, Despised Icon, Hate Eternal, Kataklysm, Cephalic Carnage and more. Poland's progressive grindcore quartet Antigama will release their new full-length in March 2009. The follow-up to the bands critically-acclaimed debut "Resonance", the new album will undoubtedly see the band push their off-kilter grind attack to new sonic levels.

The "Relapse Records Contamination Tour" is an institution in North America and has been a vehicle used to expose some of its newest and most exciting bands over the course of the label's 17-year history. Previous "Contamination Tours" have included bands such as Mastodon, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Neurosis, Nile, High On Fire, Cephalic Carnage, Coalesce, Origin, Misery Index, and many, many more.

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Source: myspace.com
Band profile: Obscura
Posted: 01.11.2008 by Unknown user | Comments (1)


Obscura - Confirmed As Co-Headliner For Euroblast Festival

German progressive death metallers Obscura and Dew-Scented will headline next year's edition of the Euroblast Festival, set to take place January 24th, 2009 in Cologne, Germany. For detailed information, visit www.myspace.com/euroblastfestival.

Recently Obscura announced "Cosmogenesis" as the title of its second full-length album, due in early 2009 via Relapse Records. The CD features guest appearances from Ron Jarzombek (Watchtower, Spastic Ink, Blotted Science) and Tymon Kruidenier (Cynic, Exivious).

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Source: myspace.com
Band profile: Obscura
Event: Euroblast Festival Vol. 3
Posted: 29.10.2008 by Unknown user | Comments (0)


Obscura - New Album Title And Guest Appearances Revealed

Obscura New Album Title And Guest Appearances Revealed

German death metallers Obscura have set "Cosmogenesis" as the title of its upcoming album. The group recently signed with Relapse Records and has completed the recordings for its second full-length album, to be released in early 2009. "Cosmogenesis" features guest appearances from Ron Jarzombek (Watchtower, Spastic INK, Blotted Science) and Tymon Kruidenier (Cynic, Exivious). "This new album sounds very intense and brutal", the band says in a statement. Obscura will headline the Munich Deathfest on November 8 and is preparing for more touring in the New Year.

Obscura was founded in 2002 by guitarist/vocalist Steffen Kummerer. After several lineup changes mastermind Kummerer got backed up by a new team of virtuoso musicians. Late 2007 Obscura announced drummer Hannes Grossmann (ex-Necrophagist) and fretless bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling (ex-Pestilence) as new permanent members. Early 2008 the new lineup was completed by Christian Muenzner (ex-Necrophagist) as permanent guitarist.

For more information visit http://www.myspace.com/realmofobscura or http://www.jeroenthesseling.com

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Source: jeroenthesseling.com
Band profile: Obscura
Posted: 16.10.2008 by Unknown user | Comments (1)


Obscura - Putting Finishing Touches On New Album Recordings

German death metallers Obscura are currently recording their new album with producer V. Santura (Dark Fortress) at The Crypt Studios in Germany. Obscura bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling (ex-Pestilence) comments: "I just got back from Landschut, Germany, where we've finished most of the recordings for the new album. I'm very excited about the new Obscura material; it sounds extremely brutal and technical compared with Pestilence's "Spheres" (1993). We are looking forward to play most of the new songs during the upcoming shows."

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Source: roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile: Obscura
Posted: 27.06.2008 by Unknown user | Comments (2)


Obscura - Official Promo Tracks Posted Online

German death metallers Obscura have uploaded the official tracks from their promo CD, recorded by Victor Bullok (Dark Fortress, Celtic Frost touring member).
The three songs are available for streaming at www.myspace.com/realmofobscura and available for download at www.jeroenthesseling.com. The unsigned band is currently working on a pre-production for the second album, which will be released in 2008. The new material will be very brutal again but with a more technical approach. Late 2007 - after several line-up changes - Obscura announced drummer Hannes Grossmann (ex-Necrophagist) and fretless bass player Jeroen Paul Thesseling (ex-Pestilence) as new permanent members. Early 2008 the new lineup was completed by Christian Muenzner (ex-Necrophagist) as permanent guitarist.

Obscura is:

Steffen Kummerer - Guitar, Vocals
Christian Muenzner (ex-Necrophagist) - Guitar
Jeroen Paul Thesseling (ex-Pestilence) - Bass
Hannes Grossmann (ex-Necrophagist) - Drums

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Source: obscura-metal.com
Band profile: Obscura
Posted: 05.04.2008 by Unknown user | Comments (1)


Obscura - New Promo Available Online

Press release Obscura, March 21, 2008

"German technical death metallers Obscura have posted three brand new tracks on their official MySpace page. The unsigned band is currently working on a pre-production for the second album, which will be released in 2008. The new material will be very brutal again but with a more technical approach.
Late 2007 - after several line-up changes - Obscura announced drummer Hannes Grossmann (ex-Necrophagist) and fretless bass player Jeroen Paul Thesseling (ex-Pestilence) as new permanent members. Early 2008 the new lineup was completed by Christian Muenzner (ex-Necrophagist) as permanent guitarist.
For further information please visit http://www.myspace.com/realmofobscura."

Obscura is:
Steffen Kummerer - guitars, vocals
Christian Muenzner - guitars (ex-Necrophagist)
Jeroen Paul Thesseling - bass (ex-Pestilence)
Hannes Grossmann - drums (ex-Necrophagist)

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Source: obscura-metal.com
Band profile: Obscura
Posted: 21.03.2008 by Unknown user | Comments (3)