Here’s what the Obscura frontman had to say about the music biz and his advice for young musicians!
German progressive death metal giants Obscura recently wrapped up the India leg of their Sun Eater Tour. This marked the band’s debut in the country with packed shows in Mumbai and Bengaluru. This tour formed part of their wider Asian run, bringing music from across their celebrated catalog to Indian fans who had been waiting for years to see the band live.
And judging by frontman Steffen Kummerer’s reaction, the feeling was mutual.
Obscura’s India debut left a lasting impression
“We finally made it,” he said during a chat with us after the Mumbai show. Looking back at the tour, he added, “Mumbai was splendid. The venue was packed to the max,” before eagerly looking ahead to the Bengaluru stop.
During this very candid conversation, Kummerer shared his honest opinions on the realities of building a career in music. Instead of focusing on streaming, declining physical sales, or changing trends, he believes artists should accept that the industry is ever-evolving.
Why musicians need to stop fearing change
“I’ve heard so many discussions about… the digital world is eating up the physical world… and I do not agree with that,” he said, explaining that every generation experiences technological shifts. For him, the hardest step is simply getting started.
“The most important release we ever did was our first demo. Because without the demo, none of the other albums would have been released.”
His advice to young musicians is practical and grounded. Struggle will always be there, but giving up should be optional. As Kummerer puts it, “adapt and enjoy.” He also reminded aspiring artists that, “You cannot force it,” adding that if making music starts feeling like an office job, “you could also go to an office.”
His message is very straightforward – keep creating, solve problems as they come, and enjoy the process.
The interview also revealed a surprising pick from Kummerer’s personal playlist. When asked what fans would never expect him to listen to, he answered without hesitation – Foo Fighters’ “Learning to Fly.”
“It’s an old classic,” he said. “It’s beautifully produced… simplicity can show what a fantastic song can come out of it.” He went on to explain that the track reminds him of his youth and represents “the core of music somehow,” proving that even one of modern metal’s most technical musicians has plenty of room for timeless rock classics.
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