EXIST’s MAX PHELPS Accuses OBSCURA’s STEFFEN KUMMERER Of Plagiarizing Their Newest Single

Plainly the brand new Obscura single “Evenfall” – from Obscura‘s upcoming document A Sonication – could also be plagiarized. In response to Exist vocalist and guitarist Max Phelps in an Instagram publish, Obscura mastermind Steffen Kummerer took components of an upcoming Exist association from bassist Alex Weber. Weber was briefly a member of Obscura in 2024, and beforehand performed bass stay for the band in 2022 and 2023.

Phelps notes that he and Weber are good buddies with Kummerer, however nonetheless – the accusation of plagiarism nonetheless stands. Phelps offers timestamps of the stolen components, and it is not nice contemplating it is roughly half the track. Obscura has not but commented on these allegations.

“I’ve by no means needed to make a publish like this, however I’ve acquired to again up my brother on it…the brand new Obscura track is stolen. Alex introduced the components in query to the desk some time in the past and we had at the moment been working them into an Exist association, so I am personally very acquainted with them. I might even argue that Alex undermined the extent of the plagiarism in his wording…it goes past the melody to the rhythmic concepts and improvement every time that melody happens. It isn’t simply the bassline, it is the guitars and drum line as effectively. Listed below are the components which can be plagiarized:

0:00 – 1:15
2:14 – 2:34
4:49 – 5:35

“That is 2.5 minutes of a 5.5 minute track. These weren’t Steffen‘s to make use of and now he is attempting to blow Alex off by claiming that he ‘modified them dramatically’. He did not… it is not even remotely subjective and there are copyright violations on a regular basis over musical concepts which can be far greater stretches.

“I do need to make clear that Steffen has been an excellent pal of mine for years and has accomplished quite a lot of solids for Alex, myself and Exist together with taking us on tour even when our band actually did not have a lot traction. Neither of us take this without any consideration, which sadly makes this much more of a heel flip and an enormous disappointment.

“If Alex nonetheless needs to make use of the riffs then we nonetheless will use them and there is nothing Steffen can do as a result of they’re legally not his or his document label’s mental property. On a facet notice, Robin Zielhorst is superior and I really feel unhealthy if he and the opposite new dudes are getting tangled on this.”

Weber additionally posted a video of his components that have been allegedly stolen alongside the next remark: “I used to be REALLY hoping it wouldn’t come to this… I’m not one to create drama and stir the pot unnecessarily however I’m unhappy to listen to that the brand new Obscura tune accommodates melodies that I wrote and melodies that I didn’t give Steffen permission to make use of. Earlier than all of us left the band we acquired written affirmation that the fabric we contributed to the document wouldn’t be used however this video exhibits clearly that my melody was used notice for notice.

“It could have been one factor if I used to be credited for this or had given him written permission to make use of it, however that was not the case. It’s not about cash and even being that hooked up to the melody, it’s a matter of precept and mental property theft.

“I do know due to deadlines, that Steffen was in a tricky place after we all left the band however now i’m involved that extra of the music that Chris and I wrote for this album will nonetheless be used with out our consent. I’m at all times extra for going the compassionate route however I don’t respect how this case has been handled. It’s NOT okay to make use of another person’s music no matter how a lot or how little was used, particularly with out credit score.”