German guitarist and vocalistMusical artist

Steffen *merer (born 1 June 1985) is a German guitarist and vocalist. He is the leader, main songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist of the death metal band Obscura, as well as the black metal band Thulcandra. Since 2012, he has been a member of the official tribute band Death to All. *merer's Ran custom guitar shape have become a signature shape unique to him and his band Obscura.

Contents

• 1 Biography
  • 1.1 Early life and education
  • 1.2 Career
• 2 Equipment
  • 2.1 2003–2017 Ran Guitars
  • 2.2 since 2017 ESP Guitars
• 3 Discography
  • 3.1 Obscura
  • 3.2 Thulcandra
  • 3.3 Guest/session appearances
  • 3.4 Live/session appearances
  • 3.5 Books
  • 3.6 Videography
• 4 References
• 5 External links

Biography

Early life and education

Steffen *merer was born in Chemnitz (Karl-Marx-Stadt then) on 1 June 1985. He started playing piano at the age of nine and received a scholarship for gifted musicians one year later. *merer studied singing solo, in a choir, and performing solo pieces and Piano four hands at the boarding school of world-known Regensburger Domspatzen, the world's oldest choir in Regensburg. Under the guidance of Georg Ratzinger and Roland Büchner, *merer achieved a broad understanding of music theory and performing concerts. At the age of 16, he learned to play guitar and founded the death metal band Obscura in late 2002.

Career

In 2002, *merer begun to study electric guitar and founded the death metal band Obscura. The band released six full-length records with world-wide chart entries through American-based label Relapse Records, before the band signed to the world's biggest heavy metal label, Nuclear Blast Records, in 2019. Respected by press and fans alike, Obscura became one of the most popular bands in their genre.

In 2003, *merer created the black metal band Thulcandra which released four full-length albums through Austrian major label Napalm Records. Supporting their albums, the band performed multiple tours in Europe and reached a cult status in the genre black metal.

*merer performing in 2020

In 2012, *merer became a member of "Death to All", the official tribute act to American death metal pioneers Death, to replace their original singer and guitarist, Chuck Schuldiner. With "Death to All", *merer toured in Europe, Central and South America alongside former members Steve DiGiorgio (Testament, Sadus), Gene Hoglan (Dark Angel, Strapping Young Lad, Devin Townsend, Fear Factory, Dethklok and Testament), Paul Masvidal (Cynic), Sean Reinert (Cynic) and Bobby Koelble. In 2015, *merer received a Metal Hammer Award in Berlin as representative to the late Chuck Schuldiner, who died in 2001.

In 2017, a collaboration with Panzerballett under direction of Jan Zehrfeld featuring Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa, Joe Satriani), Jen Majura (Evanescence) and Mattias IA Eklundh was released.

*merer produced various music videos "Anticosmic Overload", "Akroasis", "Ten Sepiroth", graphic concepts, books and stage productions for various artists. In 2018, he starred in several music productions, such as "Mortification of the Vulgar Sun", "Diluvium" and "Emergent Evolution".

Equipment

*merer endorses ESP Guitars, ENGL amplification, Steinberg, Ernie Ball, Sennheiser, Richter Straps, Presonus, EMG Pickups, Jericho Gehäuse, Scott Dixon, Arobas software, Celestion speakers & TC Electronic. Between 2003 and 2017, he has played RAN custom built guitars exclusively in both 6-string and 7-string versions with the iconic Obscura shape.

2003–2017 Ran Guitars

• RAN SK signature 6-string guitar (2003) with EMG 81 pickup
• RAN SK signature 7-string guitar (2010) with EMG 707 pickup
• RAN SK signature 7-string guitar (2011) with EMG 81-7 pickup

since 2017 ESP Guitars

• ESP *an Custom SK 7-string guitar (2020)
• ESP *an Custom MII 7-string guitar (2017)
• ESP *an EII Horizon 7-string guitar (2017)
• ESP *an EII Arrow 7-string guitar (2017)
• ESP *an EII Flying-V 6-string guitar (2017)
• ESP *an EII Eclipse 6-string guitar (2013)

Discography

Obscura

• Illegimitation (Demo) - (2003)
• Retribution - (2006)
• Cosmogenesis - (2009)
• Omnivium - (2011)
• Illegimitation (Compilation) - (2012)
• Akróasis - (2016)
• Diluvium - (2018)
• A Valediction - (2021)

Thulcandra

• Perishness Around Us - (2004)
• Fallen Angel's Dominion - (2010)
• Under a Frozen Sun - (2011)
• Ascension Lost - (2015)
• A Dying Wish - (2021)

Guest/session appearances

• guest vocals on Persefone (Andorra) Metanoia - (2022)
• guest vocals on Panzerballett (Germany) X-Mas Death Jazz - (2017)
• guest solo on Stortregn (Switzerland) Singularity - (2016)
• guest solo on Mynded (Germany) Nuclear Downfall - (2015)
• guest solo on Wraithcult (Germany) Gestalt - (2013)
• guest solo on Over Your Threshold (Germany) Facticity - (2012)
• guest vocals on Pequod (Germany) Forgotten - (2011)
• guest vocals on Ho* (Germany) The Creation of Pain (2011)
• guest solo on Disdained (Serbia) The Last Opus EP - (2010)

Live/session appearances

• b*, Black Horizons (Germany) - (2003-2004)
• guitar, Festering Saliva (Germany) - (2005-2006)
• guitar, Helfahrt (Germany) - (2006-2007)
• vocals & guitar, Death (USA) - (2012 - present)
• b*, Secrets of the Moon (Germany) - (2016)

Books

• Cosmogenesis - Official Tablature Book (2010)
• Omnivium - Official Tablature Book (2012)
• Guitar Anthology - Official Tablature Book (2015)
• Death - Best of 1987 - 1998, Official Tablature Book (2015)
• Akróasis - Official Tablature Book (2016)
• Diluvium - Official Tablature Book (2018)
• A Valediction - Official Tablature Book (2021)

Videography

• Anticosmic Overload - Official Music Video (2009)
• Akróasis - Official Music Video (2015)
• Ten Sepiroth - Official Music Video (2016)
• Diluvium - Official Music Video (2018)
• Mortification of the Vulgar Sun - Official Music Video (2018)
• Emergent Evolution - Official Music Video (2019)
• Solaris - Official Music Video (2021)
• A Valediction - Official Music Video (2021)
• Funeral Pyre - Official Music Video (2021)
• Nocturnal Heresy - Official Music Video (2021)
• Devoured Usurper - Official Music Video (2021)
• When Stars Collide - Official Music Video (2021)
• A Dying Wish - Official Music Video (2021)

References

External links

• "OBSCURA, STEFFEN *MERER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW!", SkullsNBones, 25 March 2011
• Obscura frontman Steffen *merer talks Omnicium", Metal Underground, Ty Arthur
• "OBSCURA Interview with Steffen *merer", Xplosive Metal, March 2011, Caroline Restiaux
• Steffen *merer's (Obscura) Top 5 Swedish Death/Black Metal Albums