Várar

Released in 2009, Várar represents a pivotal moment for Obscurity, solidifying their 'Bergisch Metal' identity. While often categorized as Viking Metal due to their lyrical focus on Norse mythology and Germanic history (notably the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 'Varusschlacht'), the album is sonically closer to the melodic death metal of the Gothenburg scene or the blackened thrash of their German peers. The production is notably punchy and modern for the era, emphasizing the interplay between the two guitars which provide all the melodic textures. This 'no-folk-instruments' approach distinguishes them from contemporaries like Ensiferum or Turisas. The album was well-received for its technical proficiency and its ability to maintain a high energy level across its 40-minute runtime, eventually becoming a staple of the European underground metal circuit.