Obsidian Kingdom
Barcelona band known for unclassifiable heavy sound across multiple genres.
Obsidian Kingdom, a Barcelona-based band formed in 2005, defies easy categorization. The group describes its own sound as a "hard-to-classify heavy sound with plenty of contrasts," drawing equally from progressive rock, post-metal, black metal, alternative, and electronic music. In 2013, Metal Injection dubbed them "the masters of every genre."
The band’s original lineup—guitarist Rider G Omega and drummer Croma LAN Ro—was joined later in 2005 by guitarist Prozoid Zeta JSI and bassist Fatal Error Pl\:A\n, with singer Saten Haz Im Nu completing the roster in 2006. Their debut, the MCD *Matter* (2008), earned generally positive reviews, though its production was criticized. After touring Spain and Portugal, the EP *3:11* (released 2010) was initially thought to preview a planned first album, but that album never materialized; the band's first full-length is *Mantiis* (2012). Artwork was handled by Ritxi Ostáriz (Ulver, Ihsahn). Reviews noted the band’s evolution in sound and composition, as well as the wide range of influences and styles present. Shortly before *3:11*’s release, the lineup underwent major changes: Nu, Ro, and Pl(a)n departed. By 2011, the group stabilized with keyboardist Zer0 Æmeour Íggdrasil, drummer Ojete Mordaza II, and bassist Fleast Race O’Uden, who promoted *3:11* through local shows that year.
In November 2012, Obsidian Kingdom released the LP *Mantiis*, a concept album structured as a single song split into 14 tracks, reflecting a wide emotional palette and genre diversity. Guest musicians included Fiar (singer of Catalan black metal band Foscor) and trumpeter Nicholas Dominic Talvola. The album received strong reviews; Ritxi Ostáriz served as Art Director, with visual artist Elena Gallen handling creative duties. The album was first performed live in full on December 14, 2012, at Barcelona’s Music Hall, with Cut the End as support, ending with a cover of the traditional folk song "Wayfaring Stranger." In 2013, the band supported Cult of Luna in Madrid and Barcelona and played at Headway Festival. That November, *Torn & Burnt* appeared—seven remixes of *Mantiis* by electronic producers including DJ Oktopus (Dälek), Subheim, Poordream, Necro Deathmort, Jr Morgue, Drumcorps, Larvae, and Mothboy. In April 2014, Obsidian Kingdom signed with Season of Mist.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Barcelona, Spain
- Genre
- Progressive metal, post-metal, experimental rock, alternative rock
- Years Active
- 2005–present
- Current Members
- Rider G Omega / Ojete Mordaza II / Om Rex Orale / Jade Riot Cul / Viral Vector Lips
- Past Members
- Eaten Roll I / Seerborn Ape Tot / Zer0 Æmeour Íggdrasil / Fleast Race O'Uden / Prozoid Zeta JSI / Saten Haz Im Nu / Fatal Error Pl(a)n / Croma LAN Ro
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Obsidian Kingdom 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 later in 2005, and the line-up was completed in 2006 with singer Saten Haz Im Nu. Their first work was the MCD Matter (2008), which received overall good reviews while highlighting production as a weak point. The band toured Spain and Portugal after Matter's release. Their next release, the EP 3:11 (2010), was initially thought to preview a planned first album, but that album never materialized; the band's first full-length is Mantiis (2012). Reviews noted the band's evolution and wide range of influences.
Reader's Guide
Obsidian Kingdom's significance lies in their consistent refusal to be confined to a single genre, blending progressive rock, post-metal, black metal, alternative and electronic music into a sound they themselves call 'hard-to-classify heavy sound with plenty of contrasts'. Their 2012 album Mantiis, a single-song concept album divided into 14 tracks, earned them the label 'masters of every genre' from Metal Injection and established them as a band capable of shifting emotional and stylistic registers within a single work. Their subsequent albums, A Year With No Summer and MEAT MACHINE, continued this trajectory, with the latter winning 'Best National Metal Record of 2020' in Spain. The band's willingness to experiment—from remix albums to original scores for silent films—demonstrates a commitment to artistic exploration beyond typical metal boundaries. Their signing to Season of Mist in 2014 and tours with acts like Cult of Luna, Sólstafir, Shining, and Intronaut placed them within a broader European heavy music scene. Obsidian Kingdom's legacy is that of a band that defies easy categorization, earning critical respect for their unpredictability and creative range.
Did You Know?
- Obsidian Kingdom was formed in 2005 in Barcelona by guitarist Rider G Omega and drummer Croma LAN Ro.
- Their 2012 album Mantiis is a concept album consisting of a single song divided into 14 tracks.
- In 2013, Metal Injection called Obsidian Kingdom 'the masters of every genre'.
- Their 2020 album MEAT MACHINE was declared 'Best National Metal Record of 2020' by Spanish music magazine Mondo Sonoro.
More in Avant-garde metal musical groups 1-24
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