Aardschok magazine [Netherlands]:

[translation]
What the fuck do we have here, Estonian heathen black metal? Yes, and it doesn't even sound that bad. The album, with the exotic title 'Vere Kutse Kohustab', doesn't have a superb production, but it sure does have that great underground sound. Also, the low and heavy vocals of the frontman, whose name I can't find anywhere, remind me of Abbath. So, put your prejudices aside, and (if you can find a copy of the album in Holland or
Belgium) give songs such as 'In honour of Estland' and 'Time to aware', which are influenced by Hellhammer and Celtic Frost, a fair chance. [75/100]

 

Aceust, Hateful Metal webzine [Germany]:

Mit ihrem zweiten Album wissen die Balten von Loits zu beeindrucken. Denn Vere kutse kohustab ist ein sehr eigenständiges Album, das verschiedene Stilelemente souverän auf sich vereint. So finden sich in den zwölf Titeln des Werkes, typische Anleihen des Black Metals und nordischen Folks wieder wobei es auch teilweise recht rockige Fragmente gibt. Das Ganze ist aber feinfühlig in die Musik integriert worden und erschafft somit ein angenehmes und eigenständiges Hörgefühl. Rhythmik und Spielweise der Gitarren erinnern manchmal ansatzweise an das erste Album von Trollech , welches ja auch sehr eigenständig und eigenwillig ist. Loits sind mit Vere kutse kohustab nämlich alles andere als eingängig, es ist immer etwas in Bewegung. Das Schlagzeug wurde sehr interessant eingespielt und gemeinsam mit den vielfältigen und differenzierten Gitarren, gibt es stets etwas zum genauen Hinhören. Gesanglich gibt es auch einige Facetten, zumeist zwar der verzerrte Gesang, doch dann und wann auch klare Gesangspassagen die dem Ganzen den Feinschliff geben, da sie relativ rar gesät sind. Interessant und auch angenehm klingt der Gesang nicht zuletzt auch deshalb, da Loits die Texte in ihrer Muttersprache verfasst haben und es den Anschein hat, als würde die ungewohnte Sprache Estlands perfekt zur Musik Loits's passen. Im gängigen Englisch wäre die Ausstrahlung von Vere kutse kohustab vielleicht nicht ganz so strahlend.
Vere kutse kohustab ist ein angenehmes Album, das neben der vielfältig strukturierten Musik auch durch den guten und klaren Klang zu einer lohnenswerten Angelegenheit wird.

 

Ad Noctum website [Germany]:

Loits kommen aus Estland und spielen eine Mischung aus Black und Pagan/Heathen Metal. Zwar wird im Infozettel ganz genau darauf hingewiesen, dass es sich keinesfalls um eine politische Band handelt (aufgrund der verwendeten Symbolik im Logo der Band könnte einem ja was auffallen), aber dazu will ich jetzt nichts sagen. Wer das genau wissen will, schaut am besten mal auf der Homepage der Band vorbei (www.loits.org) und erfreut sich zunächst einmal am etwas fragwürdigen, da fehlplatzierten Intro der Website. Weiterhin finde ich die zahlreichen Bilder von den netten SS-Männern im Infoteil der CD mehr als fragwürdig. Soll jeder für sich entscheiden, meine Meinung dazu steht aber fest. Musikalisch wurde ich dann doch eher positiv überrascht, da die CD einfach gut klingt. Die Songs sind zwar ziemlich simpel gehalten, klingen aber deshalb sehr eingängig und nachvollziehbar. Der Sound ist überraschend gut ausgefallen und verleiht den Songs die nötige Portion Frische, die sie brauchen um als kleine Hymnen durchzugehen. Das Tempo wird die meiste Zeit gedrosselt und verharrt in schleppenden Gefilden, was dem Songwriting in dem Fall aber zu gute kommt. Generell legt die Band auf melodisches Songwriting viel Wert, stumpfsinnige Passagen sucht man hier vergebens. Einziger Schwachpunkt neben dem Image der CD ist für mich, dass die Songs gegen Ende vor sich hin plätschern, da die besten Ideen bereits am Anfang verschossen wurden, was aber nicht heissen soll, dass die CD scheisse ist. Man bekommt hier schon recht anständigen und hymnenhaften Black Metal geboten, der durchaus seinen Reiz hat. Abgesehen davon gibt es "Vere kutse kohustab" auch noch im edlen Digipack.

 

Adnauseam, La Horde Noire website [France]:

Actuellement de nombreux labels semblent se focaliser sur la scene de leur pays, et c’est ainsi que LEDO TAKAS se propose de nous faire découvrir la scene des pays baltes apparemment en plein essor et en plein renouveau, apres une premiere vague discrete et défunte dans les années 90 avec par exemple Poccolus, Ha Lela, Heresiarh; aujourd’hui on voit ainsi une nouvelle génération de groupes comme Skyforger, Urskumug, Obtest et Loits justement.
Avec ce deuxieme album, LOITS risque de faire parler de lui avec son imagerie tape a l’?il, qui n’en doutons point, sera évidemment mal interprétée aussi bien par les censeurs de la pensée que par les petits rebelles qui n’iront pas voir plus loin, car la session photos, d’ailleurs proposée en plage cd-rom, nous montre le groupe en uniformes allemands de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale et pourtant le groupe n’est absolument pas "NS", d’ailleurs on a droit a une précision historique permettant de bien comprendre cette référence, puisque le groupe est avant tout nationaliste, et cette alliance de l'Estonie avec Allemagne se justifiait dans un contexte de résistance a la tentative d’invasion russe de son territoire, les habits allemands sont d’ailleurs ornés des trois couleurs du drapeau Estonien. A cette imagerie particuliere, s’ajoute une présentation particuliere puisque le cd a l’apparence d’un vynil. Une fois encore, tout comme pour Urskumug, on a un groupe a la forte personnalité. D’ailleurs son black metal n’est pas des plus communs meme s'il n'est pas non plus inédit. Il s’agit en fait d’un pagan black metal entrainant, chanté dans leur langue d’origine et conduit tel des hymnes, passant d’une voix black a un chant puls folk, l’album se termine d’ailleurs sur une chanson folk traditionnelle. En fait, LEDO TAKAS présente le groupe comme faisant du "groovy pagan black" et c’est vrai qu’il y a un coté groovy, entrainant, et absolument pas tragique ou encore mystique. Quant au groupe, il se définit comme du "militant flack n’roll" (flack étant un jeu de mot avec le mot black, faisant référence a un pistolet); militant pour le coté identitaire et nationaliste, puisque cet album est un hommage a leurs ancetres bafoués qui ont combattu pour maintenir l’autonomie de leur pays, il y a donc un coté a la fois hymnique et assez direct, rentre-dedans dans l’optique, peut-etre peut-on discerner une petite touche de Rac dans la facon de donner une coloration folk a leur musique, peut-etre un petit coté a la ABSURD, et on peut également parler de rock n’roll dans le sens ou on sent ce coté plus léger, plus festif (bien qu’on est évidemment tres tres loin de Finntroll) sui l'on peut dire, car on est pas du tout dans un black majestueux ou épique, mais pourtant l’ensemble de l’album est tres bon, d’ailleurs ce deuxieme album est beaucoup mieux que le précédent album, plus original, moins plat, puls captivant. LOITS fait donc partie de ces jeunes groupes des pays baltes créatifs a tout point de vue, qui apportent quelque chose a la scane, ne se contentant pas d’etre ses pales copies inutiles que l’on voit trop souvent, meme si malgré tout, on sent un potentiel créatif qui pourrait etre bien plus développé au niveau musical. [8 / 10]

 

Agelos Kanarelis, Tombstone webzine [Greece]:

A band from Estonia playing black metal and their sophomore album. First of all I should state that I like these guys. Their black metal has some northern folk influences and a Scandinavian touch and I particularly liked the music in the album. I liked the fact that their black metal has a very personal sound and they don't "borrow" elements from other bands. Most of the songs included in the album are really good and both the musicianship and the arrangements are high above average. I think that the album is a concept one, dealing with Estonia, World War II, and why Estonians fought alongside the Germans, presenting the facts from their point of view. To be honest I don't really care about the concept and if they are patriots or not. What interests me is the music which is truly good and I feel that we' ll hear again from these guys and soon enough. [7/10]

 

Ajje, Metal Recensionen website [Sweden]:

Ledo Takas Records släppte 2004 detta Estländska black metal bands andra fullängsskiva. Fast det bara blivit två album har man hunnit med en hel del på de 10 år man funnits. Tre demos, tre ep's, en VHS, en DVD och en samlingsskiva utöver de två skivorna. Loits spelar en väldigt folk influerade black metal med texter som handlar om Estland under andra världskriget. Just p.g.a. texterna har bandet fått en nationalsocialistisk stämpel vilket de oryggligt förnekat. Texterna är för övrigt på modersmålet och det sägs vara anledningen till att det här bandet inte är så kända utanför landets gränser.
Första spåret "Soomepoiss" inleds faktiskt med lite akustisk gitarr innan det efter ett par sekunder övergår till en midpace Black Metal, men den akustiska gitarren finns fortfarande kvar i bakgrunden fram till nästa tempoövergång. När den andra tempoväxlingen sker så börjar det gå ganska så fort. Det jag gillar i den här låten är de inte speciellt distade gitarrernas riffande och sången av Lembetu. Sången är tydligt inspirerad av Satyricons Satyr och Immortals Abbath. Låten är ganska så standard i genrens kretsar om man nu bortser från den dåliga rena vokala insatsen som finns med på spåret.
"Eesti Auks" öppnas riktigt bra med ett par rock'n'roll riff och pulserande trumbeats. Kanon! Sen efter en stund dyker sången upp och även den rockar stjärt. Texten får jag kanske inte ut så mycket av bortsett ifrån några riktigt sköna uttal. Det som gör låten så bra är helheten med rock'n'roll stilen tillsammans med svartmetallen. Efter "Eesti Auks" så trodde jag att höjdpunkten för den här skivan var nådd men icke. "Aeg Ärgata" fortsätter på i exakt samma spår med midpace svartmetallen och rock'n'roll, men den här gången så tycker jag sången kommer mycket bättre in i handlingen. De första textraderna tillsammans med den där Satyr anno 2000-talet rösten gör att jag går igång på alla cylindrar. Det finns absolut ingenting att klaga på, de har till och med tagit med en liten bit av en gammal "krigslåt/folkvisa/nationalsång"  från andra världskriget och det är en atmosfär höjare utan dess like.
Efter de två superlåtarna så kan man inte annat än bli en smula besviken på "Võitluslipp". Större delarna av låten består av en mesigt pratande röst som förstör precis allt. När väl den grymma growlen dyker upp så lyfter sig låter direkt men riffen är inte alls lika bra som tidigare. De enda som är på samma nivå som tidigare (bortsett från sången) är trummorna som verkar ha överflöd av energi, det låter kanon när de blastar på med dubbelkaggarna. "Tuleristsed" är en mycket bättre låt än "Võitluslipp", mest tack vare riffen som ryckt upp sig kraftigt. Stämningen på låten är också mycket bra p.g.a. keyboardeffekterna, ett mycket fint inslag. Tempot kan jag tycka är lite trist allt som oftast, det går nämligen för sakta.  Effekterna som lyste upp "Tuleristsed" gör det återigen på efterföljande spår "Vanade Leegionäride Laul". Tempot är lugnt och stillsamt och riffen skapar en skön rytm. Den grova sången kan faktiskt i mellan åt komma lite fel, inte för att den är dålig, tvärtom! När tempot går ner så får sången i mitt tycke lite för mycket utrymme, den borde tonas ner lite eftersom den kraftigt folk inspirerade musiken är allt bra vacker.
Tempot dras upp kraftigt med spår nummer sju kallat "Eluruun" och det påminner väldigt mycket om snabb heavy metal i stil med Mötorhead. Det är inte heller svårt att referera låten till Umeå bandet Bewitched under de allra snabbaste stunderna. Vad som gläder mig mest är att trummorna får utlopp för den energin de verkligen flödar av och riffen är precis som vanligt av fin fin klass. Tempot dras tyvärr ner i och med spår nummer åtta, "Nimeta Haud". Riffen är starka och tunga men det finns allt för många spår i det här tempot på skivan, det blir till slut tråkigt. Även fast tempot går upp en aning mot slutet blir det inge vidare eftersom då slopade man sången som är klockren när tempot är lite snabbare, som sagt, tråkigt.
"Vafan är det här?!" anledningen till den reaktionen är rensången på efterföljande spåret "Kodu". Sången påminner en hel del om en full finne (estländare, förlåt...) vars största fan är The Darkness sångaren, usch! Tur är i alla fall att growlen också dyker upp, men skadan är redan skedd. Jag har inget emot den rena sången i sådan här musik, men då måste kvalitén vara enormt hög, den skall inte läggas in bara för att.
"Furor Aesticus" öppnas precis som vanligt i medeltempot bortsett ifrån att riffen är något groovigare än vanligt. "Ingen rensång är inte", konstaterar jag förnöjsamt medan jag koncentrerar mig på den nyupptäckta basen och de alltid lika fina effekterna. Helt plötsligt skruvas tempot upp och groovigheten skjuter i höjd. De använder sig av en flöjt (tror jag) och melodin den ger ifrån sig är helt fantastisk! Låten blir ljuvlig enbart för trudelutten av flöjten.
"Oskar Ruut" är namnet på sista spåret och även namnet på en person, vem den personen är har jag inte en blekaste aning om. Låten är kanske inte den mest speciella det här bandet gjort, alltså inte mer än ett medelmåttigt spår. En skön ledande gitarr lyser upp låten något men "Oskar Ruut" är som sagt inte någe vidare. Sista spåret "Raiugem Ruunideks" är lååångt ifrån någon rolig historia, den är seg, tråkig och använder sig av rensång på allt för många ställen. Varför man tog med den här låten är bortom mitt förstånd. Endast lite fräck keyboardeffekter gör den här låten ok. Så skivan slutar dåligt då antar jag... Nej, det gör den faktiskt inte! Efter ett par minuter efter att de sista tonerna från "Raiugem Ruunideks" tonats ut så hörs folkmusik med dragspel (ingen tendens till metal!), och hela bandet verkar sjunga med. Riktigt intressant och svängigt. Bra är väl ett starkt ord att använda för den här sortens musik, fascinerande är ett mycket bättre ordval.
Loits är ett mycket kapabel band och skivan de bjuder på här är inte alls dåligt men det finns allt för många strölåtar utan någon egentlig funktion. Farten är något de måste dra upp till nästa gång för nu blir det allt för tillknäppt. Om man nu lyckas med det och gör fler låtar i stil och klass med "Eesti Auks", "Aeg Ärgata", "Eluruun" och "Furor Aesticus" så kommer betyget landa på en betydligt högre siffra än en svag sjua. Även om nu denna sol har sina fläckar så rekommenderar jag den ändå till personer som gillar när Black blandas med Heavy Metal i stil med nya Satyricon. [7 / 10]

 

Alessandro Alskyer, Novometal website [Brazil]:

O Loits faz um som caotico, uma mistura de Black com Death que lembra um pouco a linha de acao do Aborym. Notadamente, a intencao e fazer um som apocaliptico, um tipo de trilha sonora do fim do mundo.
So pelo fato de tal ideologia poder ser constatada logo de cara - tanto que ate me faz usar isto para abrir o texto sobre este Vere Kutse Kohustab - podemos dizer que os caras alcancam seu intento com sucesso. Nao chega a ser um Kali Yuga Bizarre (obra-prima dos chaosmetallers do Aborym), mas da conta do recado.
E nos temas mais, digamos, "focados" (onde a coisa segue uma linha bem definida, com muita referencia ao Metal tradicional e chegando a ser contagiante - o que nao da para ocorrer quando o andamento e de fato um caos) o Loits manda bem pra caramba. Faixas como "Eesti Auks", "Aeg Argata", "Voitluslipp", "Nimeta Haud", "Kodu" e "Raiugem Ruunideks" sao um verdadeiro achado, daquelas que nao da pra se contentar em ouvir uma unica vez.
Uma proposta interessante, pouco praticada. E uma banda que ainda consegue acrescentar sua propria marca em cima disto. Claro que o resultado se torna um album memoravel, como de fato ocorre com Vere Kutse Kohustab.
Ah, e reforcando a conexao com o Aborym, os caras do Loits tambem se perdem um pouco em alguns momentos, como na faixa "Tuleristsed", uma cagada similar a praticada por seus provaveis inspiradores no album With No Human Intervention. E, nem sempre tudo e perfeito. [8,5 / 10]

 

Alessandro 'Ripe' Riperi, EUTK website [Italy]:

Quando un gruppo ti viene presentato come "interessante" da un redattore competente e dotato (non super) come Ermo, l'acquolina in bocca e le mani sudate faticano a dimostrare un minimo di professionalit? quando ti trovi l? ad aprire il nuovo pacchetto contenente i cd. Ed ? cos? che i Loits sono stati catapultati nel lettore e, con mia grande gioia, si sono dimostrati una piacevole sorpresa! In questa recensione sorvoler? i fatti riguardanti l'attitudine guerrafondaia e vagamente filonazista della band estone, perché in fondo non me ne frega niente. La musica parla chiaro: i Loits sono gi? pronti per diventare dei grandissimi, e "Vere Kutse Kohustab" ? qui proprio per ricordarcelo. Non mi ricordavo che il black metal avesse cos? tante sfaccettature, e non pensavo che fosse possibile amalgamarle con tanta perizia in un unico lavoro. Invece i Loits, partendo da una base black'n'roll, ci infilano tanta di quella carne al fuoco da avanzare anche in un'ipotetica grigliata tra Giampiero Galeazzi e Giuliano Ferrara! Gi? l'inizio mette le cose in chiaro: dopo un breve arpeggio di chitarra introduttivo, entra il gruppo al completo mettendo in mostra innanzitutto le capacit? tecniche e la grande perizia esecutiva. Il catarroso screaming di Lembetu ? quanto di migliore potessi immaginare per la musica ruvida ed irriverente dei Loits... ma il talentuoso singer non si limita a questo, mettendo in mostra anche un'evocativa voce pulita durante lo scorrere dell'album. Fortunatamente le tastiere della voluminosa Karje rimangono sempre in secondo piano, limitandosi agli interventi che rendono la musica del gruppo estone pi? folkeggiante. Le coordinate tracciate dai Carpathian Forest rimangono sempre le pi? gettonate, ma anche il nuovo corso punkeggiante del black metal introdotto dai Darkthrone negli ultimi tre album pare aver riscosso un discreto successo. Il tutto sempre con un piglio di naturalezza e di tranquillit? impressionante... mai la musica si fa prendere dalla frenesia, come se i Loits sapessero gi? di avere tra le mani la chiave del successo. Grandissimi riff si susseguono per tutto l'album; certamente derivativi, ma reinterpretati in modo saggio ed equilibrato, come le influenze di Dimmu Borgir ed Emperor accennate nel finale. Un'opera intensa e riuscita in tutte le sue tracce: nessun cedimento, nessun momento morto vi far? cambiare idea! E ancora una volta il loro flak'n'roll risuoner? nell'aria insieme alla sirena antiaerea... [8 / 10]

 

Alexis Kieffer, Decibels Storm webzine [France]:

Le label tente de prévenir son monde en indiquant dans la bio que si Loits chante les louanges de l'époque ou son pays, la Lituanie, a choisi le camp de l'Allemagne pendant la seconde guerre mondiale, ce n'est nullement par idéologie, mais parce que ce choix était dicté par un souci d'indépendance ? l'égard de l'ogre soviétique voisin. Pourquoi pas, mais cette manifestation ostentatoire de bonne foi sur le mode désormais habituel du "nous ne sommes pas politisés" est tellement transparente que l'effet lénifiant voulu est totalement loupé. Sans compter qu'il y a une piste cd rom sur laquelle on voit de grands gaillards en uniformes "graugrün"... N'insistons pas... Loits joue ce qu'il nomme du flak'n'roll. Il s'agit en fait du mélange de l'acrimonie des guitares black avec des rythmiques typiquement rock qui ne sont pas sans rappeler ce que présentait Impaled Nazarene sur "Suomi Finland Perkele", la furie cependant en moins. Il faudrait etre d'une grande mauvaise foi pour ne pas reconnaitre que ces riffs roboratifs sont tout ce qu'il y a de plus headbangant et que ce disque magnifiquement produit est tres efficace. Le chant en Lituanien, tres éraillé, entre black et punk, produit un sacré petit effet de haine tandis que les riffs n'hésitent pas a utiliser des harmonies bien tripantes, surtout quand elles sont appuyées par des claviers ? vocation entrainante (cf les géniaux "Tuleristsed" et "Vanade Legionäride Laul"). L'ensemble peut en outre s'énorgueillir de baigner dans un feeling folk qui ne tombe jamais ni dans le ridicule ni dans l'outrance. Pourquoi le cacher ? Ce disque fait prendre un pied terrible dans le registre black'n'roll. Car il sait associer une énergie colossale ? une ambiance épique remarquable, ce qui n'était pourtant pas forcément gagné d'avance. Bonne découverte, j'ose le dire. Apres, savoir si elle est politiquement présentable n'est absolument pas de mon ressort.

 

Ali The Metallian, Metallian website [Canada]:

To be blunt words like 'quality' or 'promising' are not ones that immediately come to mind when one comes across a Baltic metal band. That the area has a scene is not in question. Whether the bands from these countries can compete with those from Sweden, Canada or Germany is an entirely different matter.
Loits comes from Estonia and, lo and behold, is a serious contender in the evil metal sweepstakes. Neither inconceivably fast nor incredibly brutal, the band and its second album instead concentrate on delivering quality and beefy mid-paced riffing in the vein of Satyricon or De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas-era Mayhem. The singer, save for a couple of drunken singing interludes, does a fine job and often comes across as similar to Tormentor from his Mayhem days. The formula works for the band largely because of the character that shines through and the commendable quality of the riffage. The sound too cooperates and does quite well for the act. The band or label have obligingly provided English translations for the album and song titles and even included multimedia on the disc. Fans of the aforementioned band, or anyone curious about metal hailing from the Baltic region must put Loits at the top of his mind. The band should do its part and make sure it excludes the 'drunkard sailor' vocals, the polka outro and other stupid insertions from its next effort.

 

Alvaro Pacheco, Burning Black webzine [Chile]:

This is actually the latest and tenth release (second full length) of this Estonian Black Metal horde. Formed in Tallinn back in 1996, this conceited quintet bases its music in strong nationalist ideals (not national socialist) and a patriotic, historic vision of the World War II. "Vere Kutse Kohustab" ("Call of the Blood Obligates") consists in twelve proud battle hymns, where the Rock structures are mixed with the Black Metal savagery, resulting in an accurate hybrid they prefer to call flak n' roll… a pretty appropriate name considering the basal concept of the band. Musically the band moves mostly at mid paced velocities, the mid tuned guitars drive the whole music accompanied by consistent, sometime blasting drums. There are some discrete keyboards lines adding interesting, sometimes dissonant effects and the accordion-like sounding passages adds a remarkable antique feeling. The only things I disliked about the keyboards, are the bizarre, somewhat ridicule closing lines at "Furor Aesticus". The bass work is also quite notable, with a rocking and notable performance adds a firm base for the rest of the instruments. The vocals are mostly mid tuned growling shrieks, somewhat reminiscent of Abbath's vocals (Immortal). Clean vocals made its appearances several times along the disc, with a really varied performance that ranges from low/macabre, clean/deep to clean, proud mid toned vocals. There's something in Loits music that tend to remind me the early sound of Ancient Rites… some guitar lines maybe, or some mid paced structures… I really don't know... but I think it's a good point of reference. Unlike the most of the WWII based Black Metal bands, Loits managed to recreate perfectly the historical context, their whole music seems to smell like gunpowder, you can almost feel the bombers over Tallinn, and the closing hidden track seems to have be sung from the depths of a cold and wet trench, by a bunch of tired soldiers accompanied only by an old accordion during a brief moment of calm… "Vere Kutse Kohustab" is an absolutely recommendable album, a work full of history, pride and power…

 

Andre Aaslie, Scream magazine [Norway]:

[translation]
I was slightly wonder-struck after the first listen. Maybe it is just my preconceived notion that the band from Estonia would not deliver something very enthusiastic outright. But substantially it is rather professional job and the band manages to compose interesting black'n' roll compound. Taking old school black metal as a fundament the band entwines rock'n'roll influences into it, what binds the whole music. It is a bit lacking for full enthusiasm taking over, yet it was a positive acquaintance. [4 / 6]

 

Andrey Korukhin, Dark City magazine [Russia]:

[translation]
Preaching national-patriotic ideas and expressing the pride of their country by all means, Estonians Loits release their second album already. It is, most naturally, pagan/black metal with lyrics in native language [English translations of texts are included in the booklet], powerful, dynamic, awesomely performed and recorded, and not without some "extras" in addition, making it unique. Number of Loits fans quickly grows up, and if you have already become one of them, my advice is to hurry up, in order not to miss the chance to get a limited edition of this album - in form of digibook or 12" vinyl record. Satisfaction guaranteed! [4 / 5]

 

Ash Loh-Smith, Sinister online website [Australia]:

Loits, from Estonia have now released their second assault, 'Vere Kutse Kohustab', an album released on Ledo Takas Records alongside albums by the likes of Obtest, Dissimulation, and also Nahash. And yeah, you probably guessed, Loits are a black metal band.
'Vere Kutse Kohustab', over 55 minutes in duration, varies from a slower pace to high speed but overall it prefers to stay at an energetic mid-pace bounce. The combination of in-your-face punchy, grim black metal ala latter-day Moonfog recordings, the subterranean, dirty grooves similar to Khold, some folkish slashings, accordion surprises, indifferent atmospheres, and some good old rock'n roll is what Loits bring to the battlefield. The 12 tracks are diverse, always interesting, never uneventful...but not overly outstanding. They do have a lot of moments that are highly enjoyable where I can't help but my grin to myself and think that these guys are just having fun playing...although in saying that, Loits appear to be a very patriotic, militaristic band and serious about their lyrical content.
Sticking to the Baltic tongue, if you mixed the following elements of three particular voices; the gargle of Abbath (Immortal), the delivery and roughness of Gard (Khold), and an evil touch of the Emperor from the movie 'Star Wars'...I think then you'd be very close to Lembetu's vocals.
Overall, 'Vere Kutse Kohustab' is very enjoyable in its consistency and its quality endurance, although I think if Loits were to totally excel in the black metal scene, then they are going to need to push themselves further on their next release...BUT, don't get me wrong, this is a very strong record and they will get more recognition from this rather than being an unknown statistic. [8 / 10]

 

Audrius Miknevičius, Gilus Pogrindis webzine [Lithuania]:

Loits are the band which always has what to offer, and how to astonish their listeners and “Vere Kutse Kohustab” isn't an exception. Album consists of 12 well done songs, with one hidden track in the last song. The sound is perfect, you can clearly hear all parts of music: both harsh and clean vocals, bass, both guitars and keyboards. Lyrics are all in Estonian language and the main theme is national pride of Estonian nation, their role in the events of Second World War. Some songs in “Vere Kutse Kohustab” are taken from earlier Loits records Legion Estland 7”ep and Raiugem Ruunideks 7”ep. Listening to this album I found some similarities to other bands, such like Khold, Immortal. The tracks which are similar to mentioned bands would be “Aeg Ärgata” - the starting riff of the song is really similar to Khold riffs heard in “Phantom” or “Morke Gravers Kammer” albums. “Oskar Ruut” - has the riff met in Immortal's later albums starting from “At The Heart Of Winter” album, even the vocals sound like Immortal on some parts of this song. Due to these similarities one could say, that Loits aren't very original, but I would say that “Vere Kutse Kohustab” is great album for all the fans of black metal. Check it out at Lithuanian “Ledo Takas Records” it's really worth it.

 

Avalon, Pavillon 666 webzine [France]:

Et bien voila un groupe qui sera culte pour certains, provocateur ou facho pour d'autres, quoi qu'il en soit laissez moi vous présenter les estoniens de LOITS. Leur style officiel: du "Militant patriotic Heathen/Black Metal", comprenez par militant patriotique ce que vous voudrez, vous irez sur leur site internet pour plus d'explications et de détails... Mais vu que nous sommes ici pour parler musique, focalisons les oreilles sur le contenu de cet album.
Encré dans un black metal de tradition nordique, le groupe s'inscrit dans une logique de groupes tels que Urgehal, Carpathian Forest & co. Leur metal est black, certes, mais avec des bases tres rock'n roll et qui nous font forcement sautiller et taper du pied. Leur second titre "Eesti Auks" (en écoute) en est la démonstration meme. Certains pousseront meme a dire qu'il est proche d'un Immortal en plus basique (le chant sans doute), peu importe les étiquettes. Ce qui est certain, c'est que les compos sont excellentes et franchement leur black'n roll ne peut que séduire. Le tempo ne franchi jamais le cap du blast et de la double, on reste plutot sage laissant place a des passages ambient parfois. Un chant clair viendra parfois meme faire son apparition ("Kodu") et le tempo ira flirter occasionnellement avec le doom ("Oskar Ruut"). Mais rien ne vaudra le premier titre "Somepoiss" avec un accordéon sous jacent et guitare acoustique sous un black/dark metal inspiré.
Certes, les amateurs de technique et de rapidité vont déchanter, mais les fans de rock'n roll et de passages folk/épiques vont se régaler. Epique comme sur le dernier titre de 10 minutes, avec des passages au chant clair. Bien entendu nous finirons sur une chanson bonus en textes estonien, style bonne franquette autour d'un feu et d'un accordéon, mais je ne voudrais pas traduire les textes a vrai dire, préférant rester sur une note positive. Un album qui musicalement est vraiment recommandé. [8,5 / 10]

 

Ben, Lelahel fanzine [Algeria]:

Voyant la cover de ce skeud je crus que j‘aurais affaire a une ultime copie du magistral Immortal Pride de Graveland mais ce ne fus pas le cas. Les Estoniens de Loits baignent dans un Folk Black manquant de toute froideur et d‘ambiances malsaines autant que d‘originalite car on a affaire a des riff a 3 accords tout au long de ces interminables 55 min.
Une rythmique tellement repetitive qu‘on se sent deja gave a la moitie de l‘album, notant que les blast sont inexistants sauf sur "Soomepoiss" qui reste le plus interessant de ce qui vient apres. Ajoute a cela quelques variations avec un soupcon de nappes de claviers et quelques passages folk qui viennent donner un peu de sens a ces composition qui ma fois sont fade, sans oublier ce facheux attendrissement au 3 reich auquel on aura droit sur "Aeg Argata" et "Voitluslipp".
En bref des riffs simples accrocheurs, une rythmique mid-tempo et des vocaux bien ecorches et parfois alternes avec un chant clair a la Vintersorg.
Meme si le vocaliste de ce groupe a un tres bon niveau sans oublier la production qui est en beton, je dirais que je m'attendais a quelque chose de plus profond qu'a une musique que je qualiferai de patriotique.
Pour conclure, 2 titres sur 12 sortent du lot, "Soomepoiss" et l'autre qui n'est qu'un titre fantome qui figure sur "Raiugem Ruunideks" et qui me donne des envies d'une bonne vodka pour oublier un mauvais trip musical tout en essayant de danser la Polka.

 

Birute, Ferrum website [Lithuania]:

Pastaruoju metu dažniausiai tekdavo recenzuoti užsienio grupių albumus ir vieną kitą tautiečių produktą. Taigi šis užsiėmimas vyko daugmaž nusistovėjusia tvarka. Ir štai per patį CANNIBAL CORPSE invazijos organizacinį įkarštį man į rankas įbrukamas dar vienos komandos promo diskas. Pakeliu akis ir suprantu, kas jojo leidėjas. O autoriai?
Bandau juos įžvelgti tituliniame kartoninio voko paviršiuje, bet niekaip nesiseka iššifruoti nei grupės, nei jų tvarinio pavadinimo. Čia išgelbsti pats kompaktas, ant kurio suprantamu šriftu perskaitau: LOITS, „Vere Kutse Kohustab“. Ką gi, artimų kaimynų produkto dar neteko recenzuoti, taigi šis tas naujo.
„Baltijos griaustinis“, „Tėvynei“, „Goat Guts Over Europe 2003“, „Kilkim žaibu“, „Prieblanda“ – šie estukai mūsų gimtinėje ne tokie jau reti svečiai. Ir tiek kartų juos pamačius, pagaliau pasitaikė proga šį bei tą brūkštelti apie jų kūrybos personifikaciją plastmasėje, skrodžiamoje lazerio spinduliu. Kadangi ir kūrinių pavadinimus (tiek estiškų, tiek angliško vertimo) nelabai sekasi iššifruoti, nusprendžiu klausytis visko iš eilės ir susidaryti bendrą įspūdį. Iš anksčiau girdėtos kūrybos likęs „aštrus“, bet ne itin brutalus vokalas, pagoniško/tautiško metalo skambesys su ryškiu kraštutinio patriotiškumo prieskoniu (skinų džiaugsmas). Bet tik tiek. Nejučia mintyse iškyla giežta juoda sceninė LOITS vyručių apranga, panaši į karišką uniformą. Tai todėl, kad ir iš disko 55 min. sklinda rūsti, karingumu dvelkianti muzika, stebinanti dar patobulėjusia technika ir paskaninta „švariu“ vokalu, netikėtais folko intarpais, atmiešta melancholiškais, ramiais motyvais. Tik pyktis ir kažkokia grėsminga, bet pakili nuotaika vis dėlto dvelkia iš visų 12 kūrinių. Tai byloja, jog šie estai nieko bendro neturi su saldžiu ir blizgančiu „muzonu“. Visas albumas gana vienalytis savo tematika, ko niekaip nepasakysi apie pačius kūrinius atskirai. Jie skirtingi, įdomūs, sukurti nesilaikant jokio šablono ar, gink Perkūne, nieko nekopijuojant, nors... Devintasis kūrinys („Home“, pagaliau akys šiek tiek įprato prie šrifto) panašus į AMON AMARTH, dvyliktasis („Engraved Into Ruins“) – kažkuo užneša į MAYHEM. Daugiau asociacijų lyg ir nerasta.
Tačiau išskirti kelis kūrinius dėl jų brandumo, netikėtų skambesio posūkių ir tikrai puikios technikos verta. Tai penktasis „Baptized In Fire“, sekantis – „The Song Of Old Legionaries“, aštuntasis „Nameless Grave“. Na ir jau minėti devintasis bei dvyliktasis. Pastarasis ypač savotiškas. Kai po šešių minučių, rodos, viskas baigta, po pertraukėlės prasideda... kažkas panašaus į vokiečių užstalės dainas ar maršus (tik daug ramiau), o akordeonas primena net rusų senųjų filmų dvasią (tik nerodykit šios vietos patiems LOITS nariams). Visa tai tęsiasi apie 4 min., taigi pabaiga daugiau negu netikėta. Matyt, taip ir reikia užbaigti gerus darbus.
Ką gi, „Vere Kutse Kohustab“ perklausymas visumoje sukėlė prieštaringus jausmus. Pradėsim nuo linksmesnių. Galima pasidžiaugti, kad mūsų netolimų kaimynų metalinė scena tobulėja metai iš metų ir pateikia tikrai malonios ausiai bei sielai muzikos. Tai jau spėjo įvertinti ir garsių festivalių organizatoriai, pakviečiantys estų bei latvių komandas pasisvečiuoti. Taip pat džiugu, kad šie kaimynai neužmiršta mūsų ir savo šaunia, techniška kūryba laikas nuo laiko pradžiugina lietuvaičių publiką. Va sulig šia vieta visu sunkumu prislėgė liūdnesnės mintys. Kurgi mūsų panašaus stiliaus formacijos, ko jos per tą laiką pasiekė? OBTEST, DISSIMULATION, ANDAJA? Be vieno kito tolimesnio vizito ir dalyvavimo vietiniuose koncertuose, jos beveik nežinomos užsienyje. Rodos, nėra kuo nors blogesnės už suomių giminaičius, bet tiesa, turbūt, iš tiesų slypi kažkur anapus... [9/10]
P.S. Kūrinių 12, jeigu norite juos iššifruoti, pasitelkite šriftų žinyną bei savo fantaziją!

[translation]
LOITS „Vere Kutse Kohustab“ – ode of high technicity and ‚anger“ for Estonia and nationality
Since the recent moment I have been occupied with reviews of foreign acts only except few products of local bands. So the job became ordinary more or less. But in the heat of organization affairs of CANNIBAL CORPSE invasion in Vilnius I received promo copy of one more release. Yeah, I recognized the head of label. And what's about authors?
The attempt to encipher the title of both the band and the album on the cardboard cover was unsuccessful. Anyway, the records on CD were clearer. Well, there are LOITS and their new album „Vere Kutse Kohustab“. I have never reviewed any product of neighbours, so there should be new point, I thought at the moment. “Baltic Thunder”, “Tėvynei” (“For Homeland”), “Goat Guts Over Europe 2003”, “Kilkim Žaibu” (“Rise In Lightning”), “Prieblanda” (“Twilight”) – oh yeah, I found Estonian comrades to be rather frequent guests in Lithuania. I saw them playing so many shows here and the chance to write few words about personification of their creation in plastics dissected by laser seemed to be attractive.
My eyes still refused to get used to unusual type of track titles, consequently I decided to listen to all songs in order to get general impression. What one could find here? The “sharp” still not very brutal vocals, sound of pagan/black/folk metal with evident spice of patriotism radical enough – one could notice to be like a visiting-card of LOITS for years. So the joy of skinheads is quite clear. But that's all from the last period. The black stage uniform of rigid cut kind of military appears in front of my eyes insensibly. Why? That's because the disc also gives you 55 minutes of severe and hard music, blowing spirit of fight, amazing of perfect technics, flavoured by “clear” vocals, unexpected inserts of folk motives, diluted with melancholic, soft and easy pieces. Only some kind of anger and blood, grave but still uplifted, feels in all 12 (maybe 13?) tracks. That points to those Estonians nothing to do with sweet and glazy pop music. The whole album is rather smooth in topic but that is not true considering each individual song. Those are different, interesting, created without any pattern undoubtedly or, Thunderer sees, not copying anybody though… The ninth track (“Home”, my eyes get used to those letters at last!) is a little bit similar to AMON AMARTH, the twelfth one seems to sound like MAYHEM. No associations anymore.
Anyway it is worth to mark few songs because of their maturity, unexpected turns of sound and really pretty technics. Those are fifth “Baptized In Fire“, next – „The Song Of Old Legionaries“, eighth „Nameless Grave“. And ninth and twelfth mentioned already. The latter is especially original. It seems everything to be finished at seventh minute but after short silence it continues, no, there is rather one more song not labeled on cover… What the hell it sounds like? One could recognize something like German table songs or marches (calm, calm) whereas accordion tunes just recall the spirit of olden Russian movies. Such song lasts four minutes more, so the finish is more than a surprise. Maybe good job should be finished in such way, shouldn't it? You must hear that album and more better – to have it in your collection. So, don't waste your time! [9 / 10]
P.S. Sorry, my eyes are tired looking at the print on the cover. So I can just say there are 12 tracks and one covered, I guess. If you would like to encipher those let's invoke manual of types and your own fantasy!

 

Björn Springorum, Metal Glory website [Germany]:

Estland verliert auf meiner geistigen Metal-Weltkarte mehr und mehr weiße Flecken. Neben den interessanten Realm Of Carnivora und den todlangweiligen Bestia kann ich meinem Wissensstand mit Loits eine weitere Truppe überzeugter estländischer Black Metal-Recken hinzufügen. Jene waren mir bisher unbekannt, veröffentlichten dennoch bereits einige 7-Inches, Promos und mit "Ei Kahetse Midagi" auch ein vollständiges Album. Nun holen die seit 1996 aktiven Esten mit "Vere Kutse Kohustab" ("Durch Blut verbunden") via Ledo Takas Records zum Rundumschlag aus und bieten räudigen, rohen, rotzigen Black Metal, angereichert durch diverse folkige Einflüsse. Auffällig wird jedoch noch vor dem ersten Hörgenuss, dass wir es bei Loits mit beinharten Patrioten zu tun haben, was einem manchen mit Sicherheit übel aufstoßen dürfte. Beginnend beim Albumtitel, lassen sich die Esten zudem auf ihrer Homepage (nettes Intro...) in Weltkriegs-typischer Manier ablichten und demonstrieren auch mit dem Bild einer Krankenschwester auf dem Backcover, welche eine Lebensrune auf ihrer Kopfbedeckung trägt (übrigens auch Covermotiv der ersten Scheibe) eindeutige Einstellungen. Muss nicht jedem schmecken, daher wollen wir uns hier auch nicht mit solchen Banalitäten aufhalten. Viel wichtiger ist doch die Frage, ob es Loits verstehen, mit ihrer Variante des Black Metals, der sie den Namen "Flak'n'Roll" verliehen haben, zu punkten und diese Frage ist eindeutig mit einem "ja" zu beantworten! Loits' Black Metal rockt, ballert und groovt! Ähnlich ihren augenscheinlichen Vorbildern Marke Carpathian Forest (besonders Knurrspezialist Lembetu dürfte einige Poster der Norweger in seinem Gemach haben), Darkthrone oder Khold (jeweils die neueren Ausgaben) siedeln sie ihre Songs in überaus geschickten Temposphären an, welche nur selten in Blast-Attacken ausbrechen, sich stattdessen lieber auf treibende Midtempo-Walzer und bollernde Doublebass-Wirbel verlassen. Hinzu treten verschiedenste Folk-Einflüsse, variierend von üblichen Akustik-Klampfen bis hin zu etwas exotischerem Instrumentarium Marke Akkorden, zudem werden auch dezente Synthietupfer nicht verschmäht, was gerade "Tuleristsed" ("Baptzied In Fire") durch die sphärisch-schwebenden Keyboard-Tupfer Gefühle der Verlorenheit im Hörer aufsteigen lässt. Kritik geübt werden muss allerdings an der teilweise etwas strukturlosen Verwendung der folkloristischen Töne: Zu deplaziert wirken einige melancholische Akustikgitarren-Klangfolgen inmitten der rotzig-rockigen Variante Loits'schen Black Metals, zu simpel und disharmonisch wiederum andere Folk-Elemente. Als schwerwiegend betrachte ich diese kleineren Mängel jedoch nicht, zu überzeugt, zu überzeugend geht das fünfköpfige Gespann auf "Vere Kutse Kohustab" zu Werke, bietet einige astreine Passagen klaren Gesangs und die eine oder andere wirklich coole Bass-Einlage, was ja im Black Metal nicht unbedingt auf der Tagesordnung zu finden ist. Natürlich findet sich auf "Vere Kutse Kohustab" keine Originalität im engeren Sinne, doch aufgrund der Integration diverser Akzente wie dem Folk-Anteil, den Synthies oder den Gesangsvariationen, wissen die Esten zumindest, alte Geschichten überaus neu und Laune machend aufzubereiten. Black Metal mit hohem Abwechslunsgreichtum, eventuell etwas zu harmonischem Soundgewand (liegt aber noch absolut im grünen Bereich!) und rockenden Riffs reihenweise steht 12 Songs lang auf dem Programm, sollte daher nicht ungehört im fernen Estland sein Dasein fristen, gerade live könnte ich mir das Fünfergespann durchaus lebhaft vorstellen!
Fazit: "Vere Kutse Kohustab" sollte jedem begeisterten Verfechter rotziger Black Metal-Klänge Marke neuere Darkthrone, Carpathian Forest und Khold zu gefallen wissen. Bringt jener mit phantastischem Geschmack ausgestattete Menschenschlag noch einen gewissen Hang zu Moonsorrow'schwer Epik mit, ist Loits die ideale Truppe!
Die Linkseite der Band macht mir allerdings schon ein wenig zu schaffen! [7,5 / 10]

 

Blackmoon, Payo magazine [Czechia]:

Je zajimave sledovat, jak skupiny zpivajici v kdysi nenavidenem jazyce najednou po teto strance vubec nepusobi rušive či primo odpudive, ba prave naopak je človek paradoxne začina spiše vyhledavat. Minuly, z dnešniho pohledu již temer zapomenuty a pro mladou generaci nepredstavitelny „brainwashingovy“ režim postaveny na zmodernizovanych pilirich stredoveke cirkevni velkoprodukce poslušnych stad vystrašenych, nemyslicich a tudiž snadno ovladatelnych ovci, totiž svou nezdrave naddimenzovanou glorifikaci byvaleho Sovetskeho Svazu zpusobil, že jsme temer všichni nemohli ruštinu jakožto jazyk ani citit. Nenavidel jsem tuhle reč jak jen to je možne! Spolu s ruštinou mi ale k metalove muzice nešly pod tehdy ješte hodne ridke vousy i dalši „nezvučne“ (rozumej neanglicke) jazyky jako napr. nemčina, slovenština a ma?arština (dodnes se pamatuji na sice vyborne, leč prišernou „hatlaninou“ zohavene album „Ezredforduló“ hardrockovych Ma?aru KARTHAGO), ba dokonce ani ma vlastni materština! Postupem času se ale človek staval pristupnejšim a mene konzervativnim, a pod tihou zkušenosti začal prozirat jako veze? temne kobky propušteny po dlouhe samotce na svetlo. Po padu železne opony se situace ješte nekolikanasobne zlepšila, a jake bylo najednou me prekvapeni, když jsem zjistil, že ATROCITY jsou v rodne nemčine ješte ?dernejši (o Norech ani nemluvim!), čeština že ma sve nenapodobitelne kouzlo a dokonce pri prvnim kontaktu s Ukrajinci NOKTURNAL MORTUM či Rusy SATARIAL zpozoroval, že jazyk, na jehož akcent byl človek kdysi tak alergicky, k jejich hudbe vlastne perfektne pasuje a vyborne zni. Dnes mi dokonce ani ta ma?arština v podani KARTHAGO neprijde tak desna jako driv. Zajimave metamorfózy, rekl by Vergillius. Ale abychom se take pres rozvaliny Blackmoonovych vzpominek dostali k jadru veci… Již nekolik let je nepochybne, že vychodni staty, a nejednou prave byvale „podrobky“ monstrózniho kolosu SSSR, jsou doslova lihnemi nejruznejšich seskupeni prinašejicich do metalove hudby ozdravnou vitalitu, inovativni potencial a draždivou prichu? určite exotičnosti. Jednou z takovych zemi je i Estonska republika. Prave odtud jsem již mel tu čest se skutečne vybornymi pionyry (take jeden z prekroucenych terminu, dodnes postiženy odpornou pachuti) temneho metalu MANATARK, a te? mi bylo prihrano dalši velmi schopne komando LOITS. Zakladni sestava se dala dohromady již v roce 1996, a do techto dnu maji LOITS na konte krome dvou singlu „Meeste Muusika“ a „Raiugem Ruunideks“ a jejich společneho sedmipalce „Legion Estland“, ktery už vyšel i v CD-podobe, i prvni velke album „Ei Kahetse Midagi“. To sice diky porodnim bolestem v podobe krachu puvodniho vydavatele vyšlo až s dvouletym zpoždenim na kridlech litevske firmy Ledo Takas Records (zato ve forme paradniho digipaku), nicmene kapela si debut již v roce 2001 vydala na vlastni naklady ve forme striktne limitovanych MC a CD-R. Aktualni dilo „Vere Kutse Kohustab“ už ma diky prošlapnute stezce ty nejlepši podminky, takže krome klasickeho CD s dvacetistrankovym bookletem se mohou sberatelsky zamereni „fajnšmekri“ tešit i na digipak knižniho formatu nebo dvanactipalcovy vinyl, každopadne však na skvelou a promyšlenou hudbu predstavujici pohansky ladeny black metal ve sveraznem pojeti nesoucim krome notoricky znameho skeletu i zcela neotrela „estonska specifika“. Temi je v podstate prodchnuta, i když nenasilne a leckdy nenapadne, každa skladba, ale predevšim zaverečne folklórni outro ukryte za minutou ticha na samem konci alba, kde na nepripraveneho posluchače vyjede typicky zvuk „garmošky“ v doprovodu jakesi mistni lidovky - samozrejme v rodne estonštine. Ta mimochodem otrasa celym albem a dokonce všechny nazvy skladeb jsou psany v tomto zvlaštnim jazyce. LOITS velice ?činne kloubi klasicke blackmetalove prvky s heavymetalovymi vyhravkami, a zarove? vlastni motivy s misty až podezrele povedomymi ?tržky temnych klasiku. Z nosnych motivu skladeb jako napr. „Eluruun“ („Runa života“) či „Nimeta Haud“ („Bezejmenny hrob“) vyvstava inspiračni vklad nesmrtelnych DARKTHRONE, pri poslechu „Furor Aesticus“ vas pro zmenu neprestane pronasledovat pocit, že poslouchate nejaky tributni remix „Lost Wisdom“ norske kontroverzni legendy BURZUM z druheho alba „Det Som Engang Var“. V nasledujici „Oskar Ruut“ se zas nejednou pozastavite nad nepreslechnutelnymi odkazy na dalši Nory IMMORTAL v obdobi jejich poslednich alb; dokonce i zpevakuv drsny projev pomerne často (nejen v teto skladbe) evokuje Abbathovo hrdlo stareho anginózniho krkavce. Prestože pri poslechu LOITS nebudete na pochybach, čimi mrazive inspiračnimi polibky estonska petice trpi, určite ocenite i jejich mistrne pretaveni do celkove osobiteho a svym zpusobem originalniho projevu. Pro vyhledavače dechberoucich avantgardnosti nic zvlaštniho, pro milovniky poctiveho, ale nezkostnateleho black metalu s progresivne pohanskou glazurou a neotrelymi napady určite skvely zažitek, ktery hned tak nevyprcha… [8 / 10]

 

Boros Szabolcs, Mirgilus Siculorum webzine / Cross Of Black Steel zine [Romania]:

Az eszt Loits neve gondolom ismerosen cseng a MS olvasoi szamara, hiszen 2 kislemezukrol is irtunk annak idejen. A Vere Kutse Kohustab (Obliged By The Call Of Blood) a csapat masodik nagylemeze, az elso lemezuk Ei Kahetse Midagi 2001-ben jelent meg, tehat itt volt az ideje mar ennek a megjelenesnek.
A csapat stilusat meghatarozni nem konnyu dolog, hiszen szamos zenei stilus keveredik a muzsikajukban, van itt os Black Metal, pagan metal es az egesznek az alapjat a jo oreg rock'n'roll adja, ha egyszerusiteni akarnam a dolgot, akkor azt mondanam, hogy black rock amit jatszanak, de ez sem all nagyon kozel az igazsaghoz, ok a maguk stilusat flack'n'roll-nak definialjak, hogy kinek van igaza, azt dontse el a hallgato.
Mivel a csapat anyanyelven adja kozre a mondanivalojat es tobbnyire a hazajuk tortenelmerol dalolnak, ezert sokan NS bandanak titulaltak oket, viszont ennek semmi koze a valosaghoz, hiszen a Loitsnek semmi koze a feher segguket megmenteni kivano, feher Europaert harcolo csapatokhoz.
A Vere Kutse Kohustab fo temaja Esztorszag fuggetlensegenek a kikialltasa es a 2. Vilaghaboruban betoltott szerepe az orszagnak, mivel minden dal szovege angolul is megtalalhato a bookletben, ezert nincs ertelme sokat irjak rola, akit erdekel az assa bele magat a temaba. A fiuk (na meg a lany) tobbnyire a kozeptempos, dongetos temakat favorizaljak, nem nagyon gyorsitanak be. Elsore nem igazan fogott meg a lemez, viszont tobbszori hallgatas utan kezdtek a dalok megmutatni magukat es most azt kell mondjam, hogy a Loits elkeszitette az utobbi evek egyik legjobb balti metal lemezet, nem lennek meglepodve, ha hasonlo sikereket ernenek el ezzel a koronggal, mint mondjuk a Skyforger, vagy az Obtest.
Nem metal hangszereket nem nagyon hasznalnak, csak neha van egy kis szinti alafestes, vagy furulya, tobbnyire a huzos gitaroke a foszerep, a morgos eneket gyakran varialjak heroikus, csataba hivo dallamos enekkel, ami szinten jol all a bandanak. Notakat felesleges kiemelni, hiszen egysegesen jo az egesz, van amelyik a r'n'r-os huzasaert (Soomepoiss) tetszik, a masik meg a nepzenei megkozeliteseert (The Song Of Old Legionaries), vagy akar emlithetnem a veszjosloan kezdodo Oskar Ruut tetelt is, ami aztan egy kokemeny kozeptempos dongetesbe megy at, koncerten ezekre a notakra nagyot lehet majd bangerolni az is biztos.
A CD-n rejtett track-kent meg egy eszt nepdalt is elnyomnak, aki birja a Skyforger Sword's Song lemezet az ezt a dalt is nagyon fogja ertekelni. A CD designja ugy van megcsinalva, mint egy bakelit lemez, meg a savok is rajta vannak. Ha ez semm lenne eleg, akkor a lemezen van meg multimedias resz is, sot 3 fajta verzioban jelenik meg es mindenikhez tarsul meg egy 20 oldalas szovegkonyv is, hogy a vizualis oldal is kelloen ki legyen emelve.
Agyonglobalizalt vilagunkban jo latni, hogy vannak meg emberek akiknek fontos a multjuk, tortenelmuk es tenyleg valamilyen egyenisegre torekednek, nem pedig birka modjara kovetik a trendeket. [9 / 10]

[translation]
“Vere Kutse Kohustab” [Obliged By The Call Of Blood] is the second LP of the band, the first one [Ei Kahetse Midagi] came out in 2001, so it was high time the second one to be released. It is not an easy thing to determine the style of this band, as they mix a lot of styles: ancient BM, pagan metal, and a good old rock'n'roll basic. They call their style flack'n'roll, I say, the listeners should name it themselves... As the band sings on their mother-language and mostly about their country's history, they were labeled as NS band by many, but this is far away from truth: Loits has nothing to do with the teams fighting for the white Europe, trying to save their white asses. The main theme of the album is the declaration of Estonia's independence and the country's role in the 2nd World War. The lyrics are translated into English, so it makes no sense that I write about it, if
interested, dig into it.
The boys (and of course the girl) favour mostly the middle-tempos and banging themes, they do not speed up too much. I wasn't very delighted by this album at first, but after more listenings the songs started to reveal their faces to me, and I have to say now, that Loits had put together one of the best Baltic metal albums of the latest years. I wouldn't be surprised if they would have bigger success with it, than Skyforger or Obtest, for example. They don't use too many not metal instruments, the main role is played by the good old guitars, though sometimes there's a little synthesizer or flute in the background. They often vary the murmur with heroic, “lets fight the battle” melodic singing style, and this suits the band. It is unnecessary to emphasize one song, as the album is good as a whole. There are songs, which I like for the r 'n' r influence (Soomepoiss), others for the folk approach (The Song Of Old Legionaries),or I could mention the song “Oskar Ruut”, which starts pretty sinister, but then it becomes a very hard, middle-tempo bang, this song will surely have a great success on concerts!!
There's a hidden track on the album, an Estonian folk song; who likes the album Skyforger Sword's Song, will appreciate this one. Let's not forget the visual aspects: the design of the CD is imitating the vinyl, there's a multimedia part, and above all, it is released in three versions, each of them comes with a 20 pages booklet! It is good to know, that in this
globalized world there still are some people, who consider their past important, and they really endeavor towards some kind of personality, and don't follow the trends like some sheep. [9 / 10]

 

Brett VanPut, Transcending The Mundane website [USA]:

Loits are a black metal band from Estonia and judging by their lyrics, image, and logo- this band is artistic and intelligent. They formed in 1996 and despite several obstacles, including the death of guitarist A. Kalm and label problems, they persevered. The issued three demos and a pair of e.p.'s (2002's Legion Estland and 2003's Raiugem Ruunideks) before coming out with their debut full length (actually demo recordings), Eli Kahetse Midagi in 2003. That same year they released a v.h.s. video and another e.p., Meeste Muusika, before signing with Ledo Takas Records for their proper full length debut, Vere Kutse Kohustab.
Listening to Vere Kutse Kohustab I am reminded of Satyrion's great and often forgotten opus, Dark Medieval Times. Loits play black metal but have folk elements and even straight out (think Khold but much better). Other bands in a similar black metal style are Finnish bands like Moonsorrow and Finntroll. Don't get me wrong Loits is original, but describing them necessitates some comparisons. Vocalist Lembetu has a unique style and he's not afraid to explore his capabilities as evidenced by the effect laden "Voitluslipp" or the bizarre sounding "Raiugem Ruunideks."
Some may enjoy the rock 'n roll influence, especially the Motorhead meets black metal sound of "Eluruun." Loits are a pleasant surprise. [8 / 10]

 

Britton Dicks, Metal Coven webzine [USA]:

Loits. They're not a Nazi band, or so they say. There is a disclaimer Loits has in the info they sent along with their newest album"Vere Kutse Kohustab" to review. It's a good thing they had this disclaimer too, because I would have thought they were a Naziistic band if I wouldn't have been told so before I listened to it. They do sing about World War II and the pride they have of their Estonian forefathers, and some people I know would mistake that for being racist, but it's not. Either way, a band's political/racial leanings mean little to me, so I don't care one way or another. I just thought I'd state the fact and clear that up for those that might care or those that might get a wrong impression of the band before I proceeded with the review of this fine, fine album.
I so badly want to call Loits a true folk black metal band, but I can't really. I mean, I personally would categorize them as such, but more casual listeners of folk metal wouldn't think the folk element is strong enough to call it folk metal. So be warned before buying this because while this has quite a few folk elements, they aren't prevalent throughout the album. The metal can best be described as Burzum and 90's-era Mayhem meets early Satyricon. "Vere Kutse Kohustab" is mostly a mid-tempo black metal album filled with epic and swaying melodies and far above average musicianship. On top of this all, there are tons of great acoustical interludes to be found, and there's a fair share of accordion parts here as well which give the album a Finntroll/Moosorrow/Windir feeling at times. Hell, the last "hidden" track is an all accordion affair with folk singing around a campfire and it downright rules. All of the music, whether it's just the more black metal parts playing or the folkier parts, is very well structured and catchy as hell.
The lyrics are sung in Estonian, or whatever language the people of Estonia sing in (forgive my ignorance on the subject. The language sounds German to me), and as stated earlier the lyrics deal with war, old ways of life and national pride. The vocalist is frigging outstanding! He sounds like Attila Csihar, only twice as grim if you can believe that! Not only does the vocalist sing in this ultra raw style with ease, but he can also do the "clean" vocals very well when the folkier aspects of the album come into play. Truly one of the best and most unique new vocalists I've heard this year!
For an unheard of band on an unheard of label, this album has great production. The accordion parts mix well with the guitars, drums and bass and the vocals shine through everything well without being too low or loud in the mix.
The packaging and layout is something I can't really comment on as the promo just has the cover art and tracklisting. There's one cool thing on here from a reviewers standpoint, though. This promo contains a multimedia press kit that is included right on the C.D. itself. Unfortunately, I couldn't get it to work because my computer hatched a foul plot against me, but this is the first time I've seen that on a promo and that's a pretty cool idea. The cover art is an excellent photo of a statue of some fallen warrior with sword and shield in hand and battle axe on his belt. The "Loits" logo is cool, even if it's indecipherable. There's a little upside down peace symbol with some "S" shaped boots arranged in a swastica-like fashion. But they aren't a nazi band, honest! Ha! One thing you may want to know is that there are two versions of this album. I believe this version I have is the jewel case version, and there's another digipak version that contains totally different artwork.
This album is so damn good that I recommend all fans of black, folk and pagan metal go out and grab it as soon as you can. This is truly a unique album in the "folk metal" genre, and you owe it to yourself to check it out. If I had gotten this album a little bit earlier before I made up my Top 10 Of 2004 list for Metal Coven, this would have definitely made the list. I plan on getting their earlier full length release quick-like and hope they come back soon to give us another dose of accordion enhanced black metal! [9,5 / 10]

 

Carl, Lords of Metal webzine [Netherlands]:

The new CD by Loits is out. The work is called 'Vere Kutse Kohustab', which is translated into English: 'Obliged By The Call Of Blood'. Before I will review this disc, I would like to say something about the background of this band. I feel addressed to by a text in the bio with the title: 'Historical background and comment on artist's ideological position'. More precisely it concerns the sentence directly below this title: '[that is only for all those morons who fuck up the essence and misinterpret LOITS for a nazi band!]'. Yes, that would be me! The text explains that the Estonians were fighting on the side of the Germans solely to get rid of the Soviets. I was unaware of this interpretation of the historical background and find it at least dubious.
Apart from this I find the photographs which have been added to this CD as a multimedia press kit terribly bizarre and simply provoking. The band members appear on these in Nazi uniforms staged in wartime situations. Exalting war indicates in my opinion an inhuman attitude to life and is contemptible. The film industry is clearly successful in portraying the war as an heroic fight, whereas it is nothing else than doom, death and destruction. Literary books do not beat about the bush: read 'Stalinorgel' by Gerd Ledig or any other book by him!
Enough about all this political shit. Read my review of their Promo 2004, where I hope to inform you about how I will not let the political convictions of a band stand in the way of music. And the music sounds very good! On their site they use the term "Flak 'n' Roll", which I find too superficial to use for this music. The word Flak comes from the German word "Fliegerabwehrkanonen", but is a loan word from German. The sound of Flak is dull and repeating, which is not the sole characteristic of the music of Loits. Their songs are larded with jingles from the old rock 'n' roll. This makes the music have a dual character: the merry tunes of rock 'n' roll and the aggressive sounds of black metal. By the way, "Flak 'n' Roll" does display the fascination the band has for the army and war. Besides the above mentioned influences I also hear distinct sounds from a distant past. Folk influences which come from the distant past of Estonia are mixed within their metal. This is not a very original idea, but it is brought with much conviction. This makes that these folk influences are imbedded into the music in a most natural way.
All in all it is a very successful record. The band has succeeded in finding their own sound! They play black metal, but luckily that is not all. Their earlier songs appeared to be very catchy, which meant they were relatively simple. The fact that this time it took me longer before I could get a grip on this album, means that the level of composing is higher than before. The band makes progress and that means that they are growing. [77 / 100]

 

Carlaont Catalin, Arcana Noctis website [Romania]:

In December 2004, the legionnaire unit from Estonia, Loits, marked another success against the enemies. On "Vere Kutse Kohustab" they are keeping they melodic roots, with the help of a crystal clear production they are bringing forth an album that shows that there are new ways to approach the black metal style.
Taking Influences from the first wave of Black Metal when the genre was influenced by the old Rock'n'Roll and combining this with modern Black Metal, Loits succeeds in releasing a strong and solid album. There are lots of catchy riffs and … no guitar solos. The use of vocals ranges from black metal screams to normal singed ones. Compared to their previous album you can see that the use of keyboards is not that frequent as on that album, this time they are using the keys just for the background.
This release is dedicated to the legionnaires from Estonia which fought under the banner of the German troops against the Russians for the freedom of their native country.
This album is available from Ledo Takas on LP and CD, as a bonus you'll have an extra song of legionnaire folk-lore + a multimedia presentation of the album and some very good photos. For more details see the interview. [80 / 100]

 

Carlos, Kuravilu website [Chile]:

Well, finally the full lenght album of Loits has arrived to my hands. Compared to their previous attacks, I think that musically there are the less diferences, but there is no doubt that the production of this album is high above the previous material... that is what we can call a real improvement, right?.
Speaking about music, Loits follows their own path. There are some Black Metal influences as well as many catchy melodies in all songs. I have just wrote about how difficult is to label their style in the previous review, so I will not waste my time in this issue. Anyway, I must say that this band is very unique, their music is probably far away from what I hear most of time (more Thrash Metal oriented), but I still like it very much. It's so straight forward, plenty of rock and roll melodies and yet misterious for being sung in their native tounge. Another fact that I like is that the keys are very subtle, almost imperceptible. Just bringing the right feeling in the right places and far away form being in the front line.
There are a lot of good songs in here, some of them re-recordings of old ones. Aeg Ärgata, is full of power from the very begining and just starting with the vocals alone... great!. Some other tunes show great changes beetwen clean and distorted guitars. Well, as you can imagine there are plenty of good music in here so check it out by yourselves.
Finally I just want to say something about the lyric's background. The whole concept deals with the position of Estonia during the WWII that it's quite interesting since they fought in the side of the Germans... as you can imagine many people has labeled the band as Nazi, an issue that the band clearly want to state as untrue and unfair. From my point of view who gives a fuck if a band is Nazi or not... Here I am to speak about music and even more: Metal, a kind of music that has never give a fuck about anything and specially with all the "stablishment". Fuck all those pussies and coward zines and distros who claim not support bands just for use some Runes in their logos and are afraid of being pointed as Nazis and probably go to church on sunday... hahahaha. They have even more prejudice than nazis!!! ok Let's leave it to here or may be Kuravilu will be labeled as Nazi as well... hahaha.
As a summary: another fine work from the Baltic area and from the mighty Ledo Takas label. [8,5 / 10]

 

Christian Wachter, Blood Of The Ancients magazine [Germany]:

Somehow I cannot follow the thoughts of this band: On the one hand the label info tries to prove as hard as possible to show that LOITS isn't a Nazi band (like i.e. using excerpt of an essay or something like this from a veteran of the 11th group of nightly bombers of Estonia in WW II), and on the other side there are countless photos of Estonian soldiers from the time between 1939-45… Is Estonian history so "unspectacular" that you have to focus on just those six years? – I definitely think this is not the case! Well, at least musically 'Vere…' is a really rewarding thing, especially for those that are longing for a more "Metallic" version of SKYFORGER, leaving the use of Folk instruments away and offering us the pure Pagan/Viking/Black insanity instead. The music is very well-played, the sound is furthermore very powerful and professional – the same goes out to the packaging and layout as well! LOITS manage to integrate some very good ideas, like i.e. the use of those speeches in 'Battlestandard' that are totally integrated in the song as a whole, the original, melancholic sounding vocals in 'Furor Aesticus' or the fine beginning of 'Time To Awake'. And last but not least, the hidden track offers us a (presumably) traditional Estonian Folk song which is a fine tune that remains forever in your head! Ok, sometimes I'd wish to have more outstanding tracks, real hymns, this moment 'Vere…' is "only" serving a high standard without any bad tunes, but lacking the "really driving forces" so to say… But this doesn't mean that 'Vere…' is a mediocre album! – As said, this might be a good alternative for those longing for lesser Folk-infected version of SKYFORGER…! - Furor Aesticus!

 

Ciaran Tracey, Metal Ireland website [Ireland]:

The reader can make up their own minds on the subject of Loits' agenda, which as usual with politically challenging Metal is tentative and highly equivocal, with the band keen to denounce what they are not rather than commit publicly to what they actually are. Their passion for Estonian nationalism is however backed up by impressively pumping war metal that is infinitely more thoughtful than many in the field. An excellent passage opens this album by coupling lush acoustics over a sombre but pounding drive, setting sights high from the start. Elsewhere, the accorian that is intelligently employed furthers the sense of culture and heritage that Loits are obviously keen to propagate. Possibly the most effective creative point about this album is its lack of blasting and concentration on a solid, insistent dirty 4x4 swaggering beat, as popularised by you-know-who for a million others to copy. But Loits have at least infused their material with a seriousness and intelligence that is beyond the grasp of usual NS banalities. Nothing on this cd equals its opener, but it is solid, stern and somehow melancholic rather than triumphant; a much more entertaining proposition. Make of the imagery what you will, but the music is definitely worthwhile. [3,6 / 5]

 

CK, Legacy magazine [Germany]:

Warum gerade Untertanen postsozialistischer Staaten ihre jüngst erschlossene Freiheit dafür verwenden, ihr Heil in konträren, gleichfalls suppresiven Ideologien zu suchen, mag sich Logik und Menschenverstand partout nicht gänzlich erschließen. LOITS sind leider auch auf diesem Irrweg zugange. Die eilfertige Beteuerung im Infoschrieb, das Anprangern anonymer Heuchler, die LOITS vorschnell als Faschisten verriefen – das alles erblasst im Lichte der Fakten. Wer eine Rune im Logo zentriert, in SS-Garderobe post, einen Bassisten namens M.engele auf der Gehaltsliste hat, eine Single über das Label Schwarze MaSSenvernichtung (sic!) vertreibt und mit einschlägigem Sekundärvokabular aufwartet, gibt sich ideologisch anstößig. Mindestens. Die Musik der Estländer lässt von diesen Fehlleistungen nur wenig erahnen, ist mit Kraft und Geschick gleichermaßen beschlagen. Die insgesamt zwölf Oden an Heimat, Stolz und Siegesdrang verfügen über ein prächtiges Maß an Abwechslung. Dreckig rumpelnde Rock-Tiraden, wie man sie vornehmlich von Carpathian Forest und Khold kennt, vereinen sich mit frenetisch aufstachelnden, Black Metal-nahen Momenten und einem heroisierenden Pagan-Flair, welches sich meist in mittlerem Tempo niederschlägt. Auffällig ist dabei die Homogenität, die atmosphärische Bedarftheit, mit der die estnischen Kriegskameraden ihre stets vielseitig vorgetragenen Lieder nach vorne treiben. Solcherweise gesellen sich zu unterschiedlichst gefärbten Gesängen manch liebevolle Details (Akkordeon, Flöte, Trompete), manch gewiefte Einzelleistung (störrischer Basslauf, akzentuierendes Drumming), die sich aufwertend in "Vere Kutse Kohustab" (engl. "Obliged By The Call Of Blood") einbringen. Gleiches vermögen auch die schrullig-nostalgischen Synthesizer-Einsätze, die gleichwohl zu einer differenzierten Abrundung des lobenswerten Geschehens beitragen. Eine Kaufempfehlung löst sich dennoch nicht von meiner Zunge, weswegen ich, was die Punkte angeht, neutral verbleiben möchte.

 

Claudio Casero, TrueMetal.it website [Italy]:

Secondo lavoro per gli estoni Loits che con questo “Vere kutse kohustab” ossia “Obliged by the call of blood” ci propongono un black metal senza compromessi con inserti folkegginati e momenti heavy. Il gruppo, nato nel 1996, dopo un passato di continui cambi di line-up dovuti anche a tragici eventi come la morte del chitarrista A.Kalm nel 2000, ? riuscito finalmente ad avere dei componenti stabili ed ha intrapreso nella primavera del 2005 un tour europeo con discreto successo accompagnati dagli Obtest.
Potenza e cattiveria sono le parole d'ordine di questo cd; suoni rozzi e dal sapore black degli albori si alternano a sound pi? puliti e moderni senza stonare in alcun modo.
Molto legati al passato storico del loro paese (e per questo ingiustamente accusati di essere filo-nazisti N.d.R.) inseriscono nei loro brani, rigorosamente cantati in estone, testi storici che narrano l'esperienza dell'Estonia durante la seconda guerra mondiale.
In brani come l'opener “Soomepoiss” e “Eesti Auks” troviamo tutti i canoni del black metal old stile con ritmi di batteria “infuocati”, chitarre graffianti senza per? mai essere fastidiose; troviamo qua e l? anche momenti pi? tranquilli e riflessivi in cui l'atmosfera cupa e il cantato a tratti pulito sembra quasi preparare l'ascoltatore all'esplosione di rabbia che arriver? subito dopo.
Decisamente diverso ? invece il discorso che va fatto per “Võitluslipp” in cui il cantato pulito non si adatta perfettamente al genere pur non stonando del tutto; i suoni sono decisamente pi? vicini al thrash stile Celtic Frost di “Into the pandemonium” con un pizzico di personalit? che di certo non guasta per rendere ancora pi? piacevole un brano gi? buono di per sé.
Con “Tuleristed” ci avviciniamo musicalmente ad un sound pi? squisitamente heavy che ben si abbina ad uno scream non esasperato ma altamente potente e convincente. Il brano in questione ? particolarmente strano a causa dei numerosi sound mixati al suo interno come stacchi rock'n'roll, cavalcate di doppia cassa power e suoni di chitarra black. Questa canzone lascia decisamente perplessi al primo ascolto, ma diventa veramente ottima appena ci si fa l'orecchio.
Ritorniamo invece in ambito black metal con “Vanade legionäride laul” e “Eluruun” grazie soprattutto ad una voce che riesce ad essere malefica e notevolmente affascinante nei sui cambi di tonalit?; l'unica cosa che non mi piace molto di questi brani ? il ritmo di batteria che alla lunga risulta ripetitivo e abbastanza noioso.
La miglior canzone del cd ? sicuramente “Oskar ruut” in cui un sapiente miscuglio di black e doom rende l'atmosfera inverosimilmente cupa resa “luminosa” solo da alcuni riff di chitarra in heavy style; il ritmo cadenzato conferisce una martellante sofferenza all'ascoltatore che risulta in qualche maniera piacevole e morbosa; questo grazie a dei suoni perfetti e ad un tiro che ha s? di gi? sentito, ma che ha qualcosa che lo rende quasi geniale.
Il cd si conclude con un lungo brano che pu? essere considerato come un'opera fatta e finita; l'ottimo cantato growl si alterna a momenti narrati con una voce impostata che d? decisamente un idea di onnipotenza. Purtroppo non si pu? dire lo stesso del cantato pulito che, in questo caso, risulta essere poco curato e a tratti stonato. I suoni “malati” di chitarra rasentano in alcuni frangenti la cacofonia riuscendo per? a rimanere sempre accattivanti e mai noiosi.
Ottimo lavoro quindi per i Loits che dimostrano una crescita sia strumentale che compositiva rispetto al loro primo full-lenght grazie anche ad un aumento di personalit? notevole con sprazzi di originalit? da non sottovalutare. Oggettivamente questo “Vere kutse kohustab” ? un cd molto particolare difficile da definire e che probabilmente non piacer? ai pi?, ma ? un lavoro di ottima fattura. Loro si definiscono flack'n'rollers, avranno ragione? [75 / 100]

 

Climber, Mondongo Cannibale website [Spain]:

Tras tres a?os de sequ?a discografica desde la edición de su disco debut "Ei Kahetse Midagi" (traducido: Regret nothing), los estonios Loits vuelven de nuevo a la carga con m?s fuerza que nunca con su segundo trabajo discografico titulado "Vere kutse kohustab" (Traducido: Call of the blood obligates). El disco ha sido premiado en su pa?s como el mejor disco del a?o 2004 en Estonia en la categor?a de metal por la prestigiosa revista Metallian, y no es para menos porque estos Estonios se han currado un disco buen?smo. El sonido de la banda es el de un black metal crudo y frio sencillo y sin concesiones, pero lo que lo hace especial es el toque de rock'n roll y punk que emanan sus composiciones, con abundacia de parte lentas pero muy ca?eras.... pero claro sin olvidar la esencia del black, con su partes m?s r?pidas y agresivas. Las composiciones me han parecido de lo mejor que escuhado ?ltimamente, destacando entre ellas temazos como "Aeg Ärgata" muy potente y pegadizo, o "Kodu", m?s rockera. Las guitarras suenas bastante brillantes, y le dejan protagonismo al bajo en las frecuencias m?s bajas, que acompa?ando a una bater?a bastante simple pero muy efectiva y resultona y decorando todo el conjunto una voz muy buena desgarrada pero entendible (claro si eres capaz de entender el Estonio porque las letras est?n en ese idioma) la cual es apoyada en algunos y puntuales momentos por unos teclados que aunque si bien son bastante simples le sirven perfectamente a la banda. A mi me recuerdan, salvando las diferencias a unos Satyricon de la época del Revel Extravaganza o del Volcano, combinados con los ?ltimos disco de Impaled Nazarene. Pese a que por la estetica pueda parecer un grupo de tendencias nacional socialista (Trajes militares, himnos del ejercito ,y parafernalia de ese tipo), las canciones (que para los avidos de conocimiento de la banda, han sido traducidas al inglés) hablan fundamenalmente de la segunda guerra mundial, y de las batallas que los estonios libraron contra los ejercitos invasores. Para mi casi seguro que el mejor disco de black metal del 2004 y todo un descubrimiento de banda. [4,5 / 5]

 

Daniel Fernandez Lois, Bloody zine [Portugal]:

Su sello los denomina como Heathen Black Metal, o lo que es lo mismo Black Metal pagano, y algo de cierto si tiene la definición, sonando (y al sonar me refiero a ese sonido tan limpio y potente que han logrado) a bandas como Skyforger, que también incorporan ese sentimiento nacionalista a su m?sica lo que se plasma en influencias folk que asoman
t?midamente aqui y all? en alg?n riff o en alguna forma de cantar (por no nombrar el tema final a capella y acordeón que parece cantado en una tasca de abuelos), sin olvidar ciertos tintes rockanrolescos que quedan de puta madre con su Black Metal pegadizo, repetitivo y efectivo. Cuentan con teclados, pero no se usan para adornar el producto sino que los emplean muy muy ocasionalmente y muy de fondo, con lo que no restan energ?a y potencia a su m?sica, lo cual se agradece. Es simp?tico lo que incluyen en la pista interactiva con fotos etc,.. donde ellos salen vestidos de soldados en medio de la batalla y la chica de la banda de enfermera samaritana cuid?ndoles sus heridas, me gustar?a verlos en media de una guerra real…. Musicalmente un buen trabajo.

 

Darren Cowan, Metalcentre website [USA]:

Much like Entombed playing 'death’n’roll', Estonia’s LOITS has created its own style of extreme metal, ala black metal, mixed with rock’n’roll, which they would come to describe as 'flak’n’roll'. The group mentioned the meaning of this term saying flak rhymes with black (like black metal) and means anti-air gun, so basically it describes the band as 'militant black metal rock’n’roll', a fitting description.
'Vere Kutse Kohustab' consists of twelve tracks of mid-paced, rockin’ groove black metal. Although this album contains a few moments of short blasting drum beats and quick tremolo guitar riffs, the majority of the album consists of straight, down picking, mid-paced grooves. Also, the faster moments do not show the band playing at hyper speed, the music and style just gets louder, more intense, and slightly faster. Through the majority of the album, the drummer hits the skins or kicks the bass drum at a medium pace, but aptly fills in musical breaks with rolling double bass and quick blasts.
'Vere Kutse Kohustab' has a slight ethnic leaning with the band alluding to their native Estonia folk music. The most obvious reference to Estonian music comes in the fact that all lyrics are sung in the Estonian language. This language is the perfect fit for the medieval guitar riffs and moments like the album’s acoustic beginning and synthetic (it sounds like a keyboard) accordion. The slow, eerie accordion fits this type of music much better than the happy, fast accordion of Finntroll. The keyboard accordion reappears on the sixth track, this time sounding more like militant brass.
Although not overbearingly obvious, a militant vibe persists through out the album, especially during the bold, clean vocal narrations. The one sheet that came with this album carefully made it clear that LOITS are not Nazi by explaining the country’s involvement in World War II. So in addition to receiving a descent black metal album, I also got a history lesson.
'Vere Kutse Kohustab' is a descent black metal album, but will by no means take the black metal scene by storm. The guitar rhythms rock and are catchy. The keyboard sections add a touch of folk of the already-folksy guitar rhythms. The main complaint I have with this album, though, is the pace tends to drag on without much change. If the group incorporated more speedy change ups and added more keyboard sections like the parts I mentioned above, it would make for a much better listen. Fans that cannot get enough of the mid-pace rhythms of Khold, Satyricon’s slower moments, Ophthalamia, and older Dimmu Borgir may want to give LOITS a listen. [6,5 / 10]

 

Dave Pirtle, Metal Review.com website [USA]:

Call in the sub-genre police – I think this is black metal but they might insist it's pagan metal or some other silly sub-categorization. At any rate, the spirit of Loits is definitely in black metal, but some of the tools they use to create their sound has led me, and will lead others, to some other name, I'm sure. Shit, the band's own biography refers to the sound as “flak ‘n' roll”. What the hell...?
The first thing I can point to here is the middle-ground production. Neither raw and kVlt in the classic (and Moribund Cult) style, nor slick and grandiose like Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, although it may be akin to what those bands sounded like before they sold out and became pop stars (as the kVltists would say). It's like the knobs were set at a level where everything sounded fairly natural. I must say, it's quite refreshing. What the hell – is that a flute I just heard on “Furor Aesticus”, or perhaps a recorder? Who the hell does this band think they are – Cruachan ? But I digress...
Actually, I don't; it's those little unexpected twists that make Vere Kutse Kohustab, the band's second full-length, enjoyable. Be it the odd wind instrument, the momentary keyboards, clean vocals, or Ye Olde Riffery, they do make you notice that this isn't the same old shtick. Granted, there are plenty of your standard black metal elements here – the Shagrath-like vocals, the monotonous riff patterns, etc. For a fringe fan of the genre like myself though, somehow it all comes together to set them apart from the dozens of other bands of the ilk.
Here's something else that will make the kVltists stand up and take notice – they sing in a language I don't recognize and are from a country (Estonia) that I would never in a million years link to black metal, both of which make me wonder how this CD ended up at MetalReview in the first place. Uh oh... so after album closer “Raiugem Ruunideks” (the penultimate track, bringing all of their best qualities together), there is a bit of silence before – get this – a group sing-along accompanied by an accordion. I love it! Much respect to any metal band with the balls to do that and risk their credibility in the name of fun.
So yeah, Loits have produced a damn fine and fun album here. My only complaint really is that the songs seem longer than they really are, but it could just be the coffee coursing through my veins as I listen. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say if you like black metal as a genre but aren't down with the elitist baggage that often comes with it, this album is for you, and anyone else that likes it when a band breaks genre rules. [production 4 / 6, songwriting 5 / 6, musicianship 5 / 6]

 

David Anderson, Abrasive Rock website [USA]:

Loits are a black metal band, hailing from Estonia. The lyrics are all in their native language, not that it matters since one can never understand black metal vocals anyway. And yes they also have the typical unreadable band logo that is requisite with this form of metal, and it may even take the cake as the most unreadable one I have seen yet. So why am I not talking about the music yet?
This is one of those albums that still has not elicited much of a reaction from me. Its not a bad cd. Its not some lame blast-beat laden "I am more annoying than you" br00tality/kvlt contest. There are a few things they do that are pretty original, such as inserting some songs with WWII era sounding music. Kind of like that scene in Saving Private Ryan where Tom Hanks is talking to Matt Damon about each others lives before the war, and that phonograph is playing in the background.
But this isn't a good cd either. All the songs are mostly midpaced affairs, with few variations in between songs or even in the songs for that matter. The riffs aren't really inspired either; very run of the mill. With a running time of just under an hour, it gets monotonous to listen to after only a few songs. The vocals are somewhat shoddy in places as well. The vocalist tries to insert a few different vocal styles here and there, by switching back and forth from your typical black vox, to a more gurgling type of effect. Neither were done with enough conviction to really excite me though.
I would say that the band should get better with time, but seeing as they have been together since 1996 it doesn't seem like this band is ever going to go out and really kick ass. As they are, they really aren't that impressive.

 

David Noaksson, MetalHeart website [Sweden]:

Under baneret Loits finner vi en handfull estländska patrioter som gärna lovprisar sitt rikes krigiska historia. Viktigt att understryka, enligt det bifogade infobladet, är dock det otvetydiga faktum att bandet _inte_ har någon som helst koppling till nazism; eller någon annan ideologi heller för den delen. Jag kan svårligen ge stöd eller bekräftelse åt denna kungörelse då samtliga texter är diktade på rotvälska, men jag ser inget skäl till att misstro dem. Erfarenheten säger mig dessutom att Loits är för bra för att vara ett s.k. ideologiband.
För bra är vad denna kvintett är. Inget man upplöses i molekyler, eller gör frejdiga krumsprång för, men nog alltid är det bra. En långboll över till norskt territorium är inte att vara helt ute och cykla. Ett soniskt förädlat Burzum är min tanke. Sålunda charmigt imbecillt där iteration är ett slagord. Vi har dock inte nått Loits' hjärta riktigt ännu. Ett sexpack folkmusiksinfluenser har, som brukligt för öststatsgrasserande Black metal-akter, snitsigt vävts in i det musikaliska panoramat. Där naglar jag fast Windir, Einherjer och Skyforger på influenslistan.
Ett stående inslag är bland annat flöjt som förskönar den annars så barbariska ljudbilden. Som bonus – om man nu ser den som ett sådant – är den avslutande dragspelsvisan som är på vippen till att vara burlesk i sitt förfarande. Vad som kan vara vettigt att tillägga är att icke-guttural sång brukas flitigt. Ännu viktigare att få sagt är att Lembetu, som sångaren då heter, inte är i besittning av de mest obefläckade stämband som denna värld skådat. Nog för att vederbörande kan ta toner, och därutöver allt som oftast också rent, men killens skönsång klingar inte helt vackert i mina hörselgångar.Tyvärr alltså.
Vere kutse kohustab är ett vax man laddar stereon med när man vill hörsamma sitt opretentiösa musiköras behov. Anspråkslöst men ändå underhållande. Varför krångla till det? [7 / 10]

 

David Rocher, Chronicles of Chaos website [USA]:

To begin, let it be said that the much-anticipated release from Estonia's leading "flak'n'roll" band unquestionably lives up to the expectations that the awesome prequel _Ei Kahetse Midagi_ ("The Call of the Blood") gave rise to. Comprising twelve tracks, plus one bonus track in the guise of a traditional Estonian folk song, _Vere Kutse Kohustab_ displays noticeable musical evolution over Loits' first full-length; less warlike, more varied and more finely honed, the material featured on this release focuses essentially on mid-paced 4/4 tempos comprising a typical "nationalistic rock'n'roll" tinge somehow reminiscent of that found on Absurd's latest recording, _Blutgericht_ (? propos of which, a mere glance at _Vere Kutse Kohustab_'s splendid packaging will leave no doubt regarding Loits' political agenda).
Meshing direct, simplistic and efficient guitar riffs and a rasping vocal delivery similar to those found on latter-day Moonfog material, with traditional tones and discreet, tastefully interspersed keyboard and accordion lines, _Vere Kutse Kohustab_ is not what one could call a spectacular or boisterous release, but rather an atmospheric, inspiring and memorable collection of sombre, patriotic anthems that unfailingly hit their mark. Lembetu's clear vocals are chanted boldly, adding a proud, heathen atmosphere to Loits' powerful songwriting. This Estonian act is undoubtedly becoming a force to be reckoned with, and I can only hope that this second release will give Loits the momentum required to be acknowledged by the international scene. [8,5 / 10]

 

Deadfall, Deadfall website [Germany]:

Für eine schwarzmetallische Gruppierung, oder überhaupt für musikalische Gruppierungen, präsentieren sich Loits sehr ungewöhnlich. Zuallererst natürlich aufgrund ihrer Herkunft, Loits stammen nämlich aus dem baltischen Raum, genauer: Estland. Was für die meisten (mich inbegriffen) ein weisser Fleck auf der musikalischen Landkarte (von den genialen Mannen von Skyforger mal abgesehen). Ebenfalls erstaunt war ich, als ich die Liste der Leute hinter dem Namen Loits betrachtete, zum Zwecke der Bearbeitung des Tasteninstruments hat man sich mit Karje eine Frau an Bord geholt, was man in der schwarzmetallischen Szene durchaus als Rarität bezeichnen kann. Des Weiteren war ich etwas überrascht, als ich die Bilder die mit dem Promomaterial geliefert wurden sah. Loits liessen sich nicht wie üblich im Wald mit schwarzweisser Farbe im Gesicht ablichten, sondern in 2. Weltkriegsuniformen. Das Rückbild vermochte sogar bei mir eine hochgezogene Augenbraue zu provozieren: Abgebildet ist nämlich Karje (das angesprochene weibliche Mitglied), als Krankenschwester verkleidet, deren Uniform eine Lebensrune ziert. Solche Kapriolen, könnten, kombiniert mit der beinhart patriotischen Einstellung Loits', bei manch strikt antirechts Ausgerichteten übel aufstossen. Das angesprochene Bildmaterial ist für Interessierte auch auf der Internetpräsenz Loits verfügbar. Doch genug solchen Belanglosigkeiten, betrachten wir das musikalische Schaffen der estnischen Truppe.
Geboten wird auf „Vere Kutse Kohustab“ (zu Deutsch: Vereinigt im Blut), dem aktuellen und hier besprochenen Werk, grimmigen, mit Folkelementen versehen Schwarzmetall, angesiedelt im mittleren Tempo Bereich. Die Produktion fiel auf technischem Niveau sehr gut aus und bietet ordentlich Platz zur vollen Entfaltung der dargebotenen Klänge. Auch die Balance zwischen den Instrumenten wurde gut getroffen und die einzelnen Instrumente stehen sich so nicht im Weg. Auch der Gesang befindet sich wo er in meinen Augen auch hingehört: In den Vordergrund. Wenn es sich hier um ein depressiv oder aggressiv Betontes Werk gehandelt hätte, wäre mir die Produktion mit Sicherheit zu unnatürlich erschienen, aber zum dargebotenen Material passt sie sehr gut.
Auf die Liedbeiträge im Einzelnen Einzugehen würde aufgrund der massiven Anzahl derer einerseits meinen zeitlichen Rahmen sprengen, andererseits macht es dank ähnlichem Aufbau wenig Sinn. Das kompositorische Grundkonzept ist so simpel wie packend: Ein paar fetzige Gitarrenmelodien, der extrem raue, trotzdem verständliche (wenn man denn estnisch könnte) Gesang Lembetus, statisches doch rhythmisches Schlagwerk, kombiniert mit ein paar recht interessanten Folkeinlagen der Marke Akustik Gitarre oder exotische Instrumente Richtung Akkordeon. Ab und zu wird auch zu synthetischen Klängen gegriffen, wie zum Beispiel in der zweiten Hälfte von Tuleristet. Dieser Aufbau weiss durchaus zu begeistern, zumindest bei den ersten zwei bis drei Durchläufen.
Danach fällt einem leider auf, dass Loits nur mit Wasser kochen. Innovationen können sie leider keine bieten, die Folkelemente sind leider oft zu disharmonisch oder schlicht und einfach zu simpel gestrickt um auf Dauer zu überzeugen. Das Schlagwerk und der Gesang ist zu statisch ausgefallen, beide lassen sich selten zu Extrema hinreissen, die diese Form der Musik schliesslich ausmachen (kurz: Es fehlt an Biss). Ein weiterer Kritikpunkt könnte sein, dass bei Musik dieser Machart, sprich Folk geprägtem Schwarzmetall, Passagen vorhanden sein, die ins Ohr gehen, was, mit Ausnahme bestimmter elektronisch begleiteten Passagen, auf „Vere Kutse Kohustab“ nicht der Fall ist.
Alles in allem handelt es sich bei der aktuellen Veröffentlich von Loits um ein äusserlich ungewöhnliches Album, welches auf den ersten Blick zu überzeugen weiss, auf den zweiten aber nur leicht überdurchschnittlich ausfällt. Im Endeffekt wäre mir das 6,5 Punkte wert, da unser Wertesystem aber keine halben Punkte unterstützt, sehe ich mich gezwungen auf 6 Punkte abzurunden. Wobei ich hervorheben möchte, dass Loits ein grosses Potential besitzen, und mit etwas komplexeren Kompositionsstrukturen oder einfach nur mit etwas mehr Dynamik durchaus ganz oben mitmischen könnten.
PS: Zu beziehen ist das Werk soviel ich weiss nur über die Klangschmiede selbst, also über Ledo Takas Records [6 / 10]

 

Deathsax, Mortem webzine [Czechia]:

At'hledam jak hledam, v Estonsku nalezam opravdu pouze kapelu Loits...samozrejme mam na mysli hudbu meho zajmu, ale i tak neni jedna z pobaltskych zemi (republika) priliš bohata na hudebni umelce. Loits u me stoji velice vysoko, predstavuji pro me nesmirnou originalitu, nejen hudebne, ale minim prirozene image, ktera každeho uhodi do oči. Vojenske ba primo nacisticke uniformy, ošlehane fotky, demonstrace polnich bitev druhe svetove valky...vše pusobi tak autenticky... Domnivam se, že tento estonsky skvost posluchačstvo deli na nekolik taboru – jeden je miluje, druhy nenavidi, treti nechape... Do meho vkusu se take trefilo logo a web, grafickou stranku hodnotim na vybornou...zkratka neco pro milovniky valečne tematiky. Loits vydali dve dlouhohrajici alba, vyborne EP „Legion Estland“, dalši sedmipalce a samozrejme klasickou davku dem. Loni jsme si je mohli užit žive na brnenskem Apocalypsa festu, kde vystoupili po boku Trollech, Urskumug a dalšich. Jak je mi znamo, sami sebe Loits charakterizuji jako flak’n’roll (z mych zdroju militantni rock’n’roll), diky tomu, že nektere partie važne pusobi až rock’n’rollovym „drajvem“.
Loits opevuje patriotismus, vraci se v textech k predkum, k bojovnikum za prava a svobodu zeme... z hutne a pomerne syrove hudby čiši hrdost a odhodlanost. Když jsem na jedne internetove strance četla, že Loits hraji folk metal, mirne se mi nadzvedlo oboči. Jiste, v hudbe, kterou produkuji je znatelny vliv tamejšiho folkloru, ale presto je to black metal v dosti opravdove podobe. Celek jako takovy neotrelym zpusobem dokresluji klavesy, ktere obsluhuje valečna sestrička... A prave ony prinašeji do black metaloveho zakladu onu militantni atmosferu, nahrazuji všechny lidove nastroje...Osobne je mi nejbližši skladba „Vanade Leegionäride Laul“, jež mužete najit take na vyše zminovanem EP „Legion Estland“. Nemohu nepochvalit vokaly, stridajici se blackovy rev s vypravečskym a silne nalehavym čistym zpevem. Frazovani a kytarove melodie dohani muj krk k šilenstvi, jelikož nemohu než mlatit hlavou v tom neuprosne pravidelnem rytmu. Zvuk je dle meho nazoru dokonaly, všechny nastroje predvadi ve vyvažene podobe, klavesy nekdy prehluši ostatni nastroje, což však vidim jako vyborny hudebni postup.
Loits pro me predstavuji primo skvostny objev, jejich hudbu by si mel poslechnou každy bez rozdilu black metaloveho vkusu. „Vere Kutse Kohustab“ je zatim poslednim albem, vydanym roku 2004 a vyzaruje silnou predzvest (alespon pevne verim) jejich dalši tvorby.

 

Demimortus, Allmetal website [Czechia]:

Moje prvni seznameni se s touto estonskou svorkou probehlo diky recenzovani jejich demokazety “Ei Kahetse Midagi“ do In Deed Hell zine. Kazeta byla tehdy velmi profesionalne zmakla, ale povedla se mi dobra bota, nebot bylo absolutne zmatene, či je nazev kapely „loits“ nebo „ei kahetse midagi“. Nekde bylo vetšim pismem jedno, jinde ono... Nakonec tehdy prevažila varianta B, ktera se posleze ukazala špatnou:). Každopadne obsah teto kazety si svou kvalitou nakonec vysloužil i vydani na CD a LOITS se dostali do širšiho podvedomi u nas trebas už diky koncertu v Brne, ktery se jim taky vyvedl. Navic jsou to chlapci pričinlivi a tak rok po demu bylo na svete taky epko „Legion Estland“, ktere jsem taky mel možnost slyšet a svou kvalitou posunulo LOITS zase dal. Kdysi jsem prirovnal LOITS k SATYRICON v nekterych pasažich „Nemesis Divina“. Jedna se ale jen o približeni, jinak ma tahle kapela natolik svebytne zneni a vubec celkovy koncept, že je nesmysl je tak jednoduše nekam zaradit. Navic každou dalši nahravkou se ješte vic profiluje osobite zneni kapely. Koncept jejich tvorby nekomu nemusi byt po chuti, protože je vlastne takovym jednim velkym tributem estonskym vojakum za svobodu, kteri byli nuceni bojovat ve druhe svetove valce na strane nacistickeho Nemecka. V pripade LOITS se však jedna o opravdovy zajem a hodnotnou zaležitost. Žadne bezmyšlenkovite a samoučelne placani tanku do bookletu... Ale dost už, pojdme taky k nahravce, ktera prišla na recenzi na adresu Allmetalu.
Sic militaristicky, presto moc hezky vyvedeny booklet, jenž obsahuje všechny texty v estonštine i s komentari a vysvetlivkami je maximalne informativni a skvele dotvari celkovou atmosferu alba.. Vše je tu preloženo i do angliny. Na nekterych textech spolupracovali i veterani, kteri se boju ve druhe svetova valce na strane estoncu osobne učastnili. Co se hudby tyče... Celkove se ponekud zvolnilo tempo a prevlada ono houpave, ktere si radi uživaji i už zminovani panove Satyr a Frost:). Klepačky už na albu človek jen tak nenajde, ale v tomhle pripade to ani tak nejak nevadi:). LOITS si totiž jdou vlastni cestou s prehlednejšim zvukem než driv a ta cesta se mi zamlouva. Vskutku koupit si CD jako je tohle je proste uloženi penez do nečeho, co ma svou hodnotu a myšlenku. Od hudby počinaje a konceptem konče. Vše je totiž promyšlene a delane srdcem, což je z nahravky proklate citit. Samozrejme fanatikum do technickeho death metalu tohle nevysvetlim haha. V hudbe najde človek taky ruzne drobnosti, ktere ješte dokresluji celkovy dobry dojem (hrani si se zvukem, hlasy snad vojaku, ktere z ničeho nic problesknou do muziky...), v male mire občas hudbu zpestri i klavesy, ktere jsou však udelane jak jinak než velmi svebytne a s rozumem. At se to nekterym lidem libi ne, nezbude než tohle album vytahnout, pač ma svou neoddiskutovatelnou kvalitu a v neposledni rade ma DUCHA... [5 / 6]

 

DiEvA, Giljotina website [Lithuania]:

Ar kas mane muštų, jeigu būtent šį darbą pavadinčiau geriausiu Pabaltijo albumu 2004-aisiais? (Juoba, kad jų būta tiek negausiai, kad pretendentų į šią vietą...) Aiškiai išreikštą koncepciją atspindi ir meninis apipavidalinimas; labai tenkina sprendimas CD formatu (originalus ir diskas - pseudovinilas) pateikti ne tik muziką, bet ir grupės biografiją bei foto medžiagą. Pagarba "Ledo Takui" ir techninei komandai.
Pereinam prie muzikinės pusės. Džiaugiuosi, jog tai tas atvejis, kai kalbėti apie įrašo kokybę tiesiog nėra prasmės.
Tikri gerbėjai ras porą pažįstamų gabalų - "The Song Of Old Legionaries" ir "Furor Aesticus"(šį laikau vienu stipriausių ir šio albumo kūrinių) - anksčiau pasirodžiusių "Legion Estland". Tiesa, skambesys kiek skiriasi: gitarinė "Vere..." esančių versijų pusė gerokai griežtesnė, pagreitintos buvusios gana baladiškomis intro dalys. Smagiai klausosi eklektiška "Time to Awake", kurioje energingus pasažus keičia kariški himnai. Stiprus "Baptized in Fire" apdovanoja būgnų solo. Gana epiška stilistika pasižymi "Home". Dar vienas privalomas išgirsti - pagavus "Ostar Ruut". Užsklanda - "Engraved into Runes" su prikabintu "hidden track": karo daina. Štai taip žadinama tautinė savimonė.
Stilistine prasme girdima nemaža skirtis nuo „Ei Kahetse Midagi“, turėjusiu daugiau epiškumo ir buvusio labiau black. Dabartinio grupės braižo įvardijimui, manau, jau nebetinka tik „nacionalistinis black metalas“ – tai labiau black‘n‘roll su kažkokiu thrash kvapu.
Minusas - klausant albumą nuo A ir ą iki Ž, neišvengiama monotonijos sindromo.
Klausymo pasekmės - perdozavus galima lengva estofilijos forma.
Labai rekomenduoja - DiEvA.

[translation]
Would I be beaten up by anyone if I‘d call it the best album in between our Baltic States year 2004? (Furthermore, there were not a lot of pretenders for this name anyways...) Artful design reflects well the concept of the band; it‘s a nice decision to release the music, band biography and photo gallery all in one, in an originally designed CD, painted vinyl-like. All in all, respect to “Ledo Takas” and the technical team.
On to the music. First and foremost, I'm glad this is not the case to complain about the quality.
True fans will share the joy of finding the stuff well known from the “Legion Estland”: “The Song Of Old Legionaries” and “Furor Aesticus” (this one still seems one of the hits in this album for me). In fact, the sound in “Vere…” song versions differs: guitars seem to be more harsh, and the ballad-like intros are speeded up to mid-tempo. It's a pleasure to listen to an eclectic “Time to Awake”, in which the energetic metal passages are shifted with war hymns. Vigorous “Baptized in Fire” awards one with catching drum solo. “Home”, of quite and epic style is quite conspicuous. One more that would be a “must” for the listener – catching “Ostar Ruut”. Finally, the tailpiece “Engraved into Runes” grants a hidden track, a war song. That's the way to wake up the national pride!
Stylistically, “Vere Kutse Kohustab” differs from “Ei Kahetse Midagi”, which was much more epic and more black. Recent manner is no more only “nationalistic black metal” – it seems more of black'n'roll with a touch of thrash.
A flaw – taking the album from A right to the Z, you'll get the monotony syndrome.
Overdosing causes a slight form of Aestophilia.
Highly recommended by DiEvA.

 

Deadnextdoor, Walls of Fire webzine [Germany]:

Ich habe Blut geleckt. Nachdem mich die aktuelle Scheibe von Dissimulation nachhaltig beeindrucken konnte, hat nun auch die neue Platte von Loits, einer weiteren Band aus dem Baltikum, Begeisterung hervorrufen können. Auch die Esten bieten eine recht rohe Form des schwarzen Metalls, gehen dabei aber betont rockiger zu Werke und erinnern hier und da verdächtig an Carpathian Forest.
Doch es sind nicht nur die Elemente aus dem Rock & Roll, die aus "Vere Kutse Kohustab" etwas Besonderes machen, auch die heimische Folkmusik hat bei Loits Einzug gehalten, und das nicht nur musikalisch sondern auch lyrisch. Da wird der Stolz und die Liebe zum Vaterland in heroischer Form nach außen getragen, jedoch distanzieren auch Loits sich ganz klar von der faschistischen Rassenlehre. Wie auch immer, das Ergebnis spricht für sich, denn "Vere Kutse Kohustab" kann sich problemlos mit der skandinavischen Black-Metal-Szene messen, da hier zum einen die reine Lehre perfekt vorgetragen wird und zum anderen auch vor einzelnen Experimenten wie einigen abgedrehten Keyboardsounds bei "Tuleristsed" nicht Halt gemacht wird. Dreckige Rocksongs ("Eesti Auks", "Aeg Ärgata") wechseln sich somit mit elegischen Hymnen ("Nimeta Haud", "Oskar Ruut") ab, doch trotz der ständigen Variation schaffen Loits es in erster Linie durch die hypnotischen Gitarrenwände, den Hörer in ihren Bann zu ziehen und ihn über eine knappe Stunde lang vollkommen zu fesseln.
Genau so muss meiner Meinung nach Black Metal auch klingen: nicht überladen, ohne jeglichen Bombast, nicht zu komplex, sondern stattdessen kalt, roh, direkt und trotz allem mit dem Mut zu sich im Rahmen bewegenden Experimentén. Loits machen vor wie es geht und verdienen deswegen die uneingeschränkte Aufmerksamkeit und den Respekt der Anhänger alter Enslaved bis hin zu denen von Carpathian Forest und Darkthrone. [4 / 5]

 

Destroyah, Metalstorm website [Estland]:

This fragile moment was long awaited for - Loits' latest effort "Vere Kutse Kohustab" ("Call of the Blood Obligates") is finally out. Three years have passed since their debut album "Ei Kahetse Midagi" ("Regret Nothing") was released. So what have we got here - 12 songs clocking in at just over 50 minutes, seven of them being brand new, others are re-recorded tracks from earlier singles, a neat book-style package with a vinyl-like disc, a special multimedia treat and a sound that's been described as flak'n'roll. What gives?
Loits are basically a black metal band, but their special feature is the rock'n'rollish sound, meaning that the songs are quite loose and easy to listen to. Pauses are used very well and cool dynamic passages are catchy and thoroughly enjoyable. Of course the basis is still black metal with its shrieks and fast drums. Also, they use clean vocals on several occasions, sometimes with distortion. A fine example here would be the track "Kodu" ("Home") which immediately brought to my mind HIM and Chris Isaac's "I don't wanna fall in love" chorus. If you just fell off your chair cause you thought HIM and black metal are two components that don't mix, then take a deep breath and relax cause Loits will prove you wrong. Anyways it was just a quick association, the track is one of the best ones on the album. When it comes to black metal vocals then they are typically to Loits relatively "clean" which suits their music well.
Keyboards are used boldly, sometimes to soothe the listener and to emphasize the role of rock'n'roll, sometimes to illustrate the militaristic features. Despite of being strong, the keyboards don't end up being trivial. The overall feel of the album is perhaps a bit melancholic and romantic. Although the second track "Eesti Auks" ("In Honor of Estonia") is a real energizer with it's fast pace and captivating tunes (unarguably the jolliest song on the album), the hyper-optimistic surge ends there with the rest of the songs creating a slightly darker atmosphere.
The production is good, maybe occasionally lacking sharpness a bit. It's not actually a problem, but in "Vanade Leegionäride Laul" ("The Song of the old Legionaries") it suppresses the clean vocal interludes too much - a shame really. Apart from that the record is innovative, mature and a great listening experience which doesn't get boring.
Loits have always been misinterpreted as a nationalist-socialistic band because of their image (Seeing their militaristic outfits often causes people to draw certain conclusions) but in reality they focus on the Estonian nation, specifically Estonians in the whirlwinds of World War 2. For example the track "Tuleristsed" ("Baptized in Fire"), which is about the first battle of battalion "Narva" against the Soviet army. The lyrics of Loits should appeal to every Estonian, foreigners might diminish the value of the album a bit due to the fact that the message is not as inspiring to them. But for those of you who are curious or hunger for knowledge, all the songs have been translated into English.
All in all, "Vere Kutse Kohustab" is yet another release that avoids stagnation and is not afraid to experiment in order to find ways of renewing black metal. Loits fired away, and with great success. The result is unique, fascinating and obligatory to try. Sit back, relax and enjoy. Or stand up and bang your head! Either way - flak'n'roll !!! [8 / 10]

 

Dunkelheit, HardRockClub website [Estland]:

Loits on minu jaoks eriline juba selle esmamulje pärast, mille nad mulle kunagi ammu jätsid ja mis pole vist siiamaani oma mõju kaotanud. Nimelt poleks ühel oma esimestest metal-kontsertidest viibiv Dunkelheit osanud kuidagi oodata sellist laengut, mis talle osaks sai ja tema südame võib-olla lõplikult ekstreemsele metalile võitis. Kõlab ehk sentimentaalselt, aga Loits ongi sellest ajast peale olnud mingis mõttes "minu" bänd, üks vähestest, kellele olen püüdnud ikka pidevalt kaasa elada.
Pärast mõningast ootamist on Eesti natsionalistliku rokkmuusika lipulaev ja enam-vähem ainuke esindaja siis uue albumiga lagedale tulnud. Seekord on Loits oma eliitset-esoteerilist metal-tausta hüljates sõna otseses mõttes kaevikutesse roninud. "Vere Kutse Kohustab" on (võib-olla erinevalt EKMist) väga konkreetse kontseptsiooniga teos (pühendus on plaadi vahelehel ka otsesõnu kirjas), ühe mõtteviisi ja maailmavaate manifest. Loits ühendab erinevad ajad ja erineva muusika, 1944. ja 2004. aasta, veteranide laulud ja Loitsu enda lood üheks tervikuks, mis kinnitab Eesti rahvusluse järjepidevust ja suunda tulevikku. Loitsu pöördumine Eesti rahva poole ("Aeg Ärgata") on otsekui järelkaja Otto Tiefi kunagisele pöördumisele.
Lood ulatuvad oma meeleolult vanamoodsa paatosega natsionaalromantikast ("Eesti Auks") peaaegu metroluminalliku melanhooliani ("Kodu"), sekka tulihingelisi sõdurilaule ("Tuleristsed", "Furor Aesticus") ja õpetussõnu ("Eluruun"). Uus plaat on ka tunduvalt rohkem rokenroll kui eelmine (kohati lausa otsapidi oi!-teemas) ja ilmselt massidele mõistetavam, kuigi ma ei saa kuidagi väita, et Loits sihipäraselt oma muusika arvelt kompromisse teeks. Pigem on tegemist loomuliku evolutsiooniga. Mis kohati häirib, seda muidugi mitte Loitsu süül, on n-ö subjektiivne sisu ja vormi kokkusobimatus. Lihtsalt ei ole harjunud sellise muusika juures kuulma selliseid sõnu nagu näiteks "Eesti Auks" omad. Aga eks kunsti ülesanne olegi kummastada.
VKK jätab siiski vähem tervikliku mulje kui EKM, võib-olla sellepärast, et mõned hetked on teiste kõrval lihtsalt eriti meeldejäävad. Väga harva kuuleb midagi nii ülevat kui "Võitluslipp". Või midagi sama ehedalt raevukat kui "Furor Aesticus". Eks igaüks otsustab ise, kuidas Loitsu sõnum tema maailmavaatega sobib, kuid selle siiruses kahelda ei tohiks küll kellelgi põhjust olla.
Igatahes tasuks Loitsu kriitikutel meeles pidada, et muusika, mis teatavasti tuleb südamest, ei ole kuiv politoloogiatraktaat ja seda pole mingit mõtet sellest vaatenurgast hinnata. Diskussioon teemal "rahvusluse head ja vead" on siinkohal lihtsalt üleliigne ja ebaoluline. Võib-olla sõduriromantika ongi naljakas, nagu mõned arvustajad on öelnud, aga tänapäeval on vist igasugune idealism naljakas. Iseasi, kas see ütleb midagi rohkem Loitsu või meie endi kohta. [4 / 5]

 

Einar Haugen, HeavyMetal.no website [Norway]:

Estlandske Loits er vel neppe kjent for så mange. Faktisk er det det første Estlandske bandet jeg noen gang har hørt om. Bandet har et par 7” og en MC på samvittigheten før de slapp ”Vere Kuts Kohustab” på det Litauiske selskapet Ledo Takas mot slutten av oktober.
Så de lager metal i Estland også? Egentlig ikke overraskende i det hele tatt, men dette er første gangen jeg faktisk har satt meg ned og hørt på hva landet har å by på. Og jeg er egentlig ganske imponert. Produksjonen er profesjonell og viktigst av alt: Musikken holder også mål.
Det første som slår meg er vokalen. Den er typisk grim og jeg tenker med en gang på Nattefrost og Abbath (Immortal) siden den er veldig raspende og ond. Jeg skjønner ikke et ord av hva han spytter ut av seg siden tekstene er på estlandsk, men etter litt research så er det klart at Loits er ekstremt opptatt av andre verdenskrig og dens historiske forløp. Så er jeg ikke helt på jordet så er nok tekstene preget av dette.
Loits har tydeligvis blitt beskyldt for å være et nazi-band før og avviser det i promoskrivet sitt. Men jeg skjønner godt at folk misforstår når de slenger med et fotogalleri med promobilder av seg selv i skyttergraver iført tyske uniformer.
Uansett så er det musikken som teller. Og musikalsk sett så blir det en form for black n'roll med litt folk preg over seg. Riffene er ganske rocka og det kler Loits godt. mange av låtene har veldig gode riff og de er modige og trekker inn mye rart i låtene sine. Blant annet så finner man klassisk gitar, et slags trekkspill, synth, cleanvokal, samplinger fra musikk ala 1940 osv osv.
Andre, tredje og femte låten har alle skikkelige gode rock n' roll riff i ekte blackmetal stil. Jeg tenker litt Carpathian Forest og også litt Darkthrone selv om Loits er endel mer eksperimentelle og ikke fullt så old school.
Til tross for doble basstrommer og vrengte gitarer så blir det aldri aggressiviteten man sitter igjen med etter gjennomhøringene men heller den rocka følelsen.
”Vere Kutse Kohustab” som på engelsk betyr noe som ”Obliged By The Call of Blood”, avsluttes etter om lag 55 min med et ”skjult” spor som er en ren Estlandsk folkevise. Skiva er lang, og kunne med fordel vært kortet ned litt ved å kvitte seg med de svakeste låtene. Men Loits viser at Estland slett ikke bare drar i land Grand Prix låter men også kan hevde seg på andre områder. [7 / 10]

 

Eric, Franang zine [France]:

This Estonian band comes up with a pretty nice album here, the title means "Obliged By The Call Of Blood". So the 12 tracks from the CD are about Epic Black Metal or should I say Heathen. The music is mid tempo with B.M riffs melted with epic idea, but the music always stays in the Metal fields. Indeed, there's not that much keyboard or folkloric instruments here. I would say this band sometimes sound as a kind of mix between Isengard, Primordial, Satyricon (in their epic parts) and Darkthrone. I know all these bands are totally different, but honestly LOITS comes with fresh and original stuff. Most of the time the vocals are low grunt, rather efficient, then here and there there's a clear voice that could be compared with Alan (from Primordial again). I really like this release, as the vocals are well done, the song structure interesting and captivating. A Nice discovering.

 

Estragons, Truemetal.lv website [Latvia]:

Disks sākas ar akustiskām skaņām, kas drīz vien pāriet ātrā elektrisko ģitāru meldiņā. Šī ir kompozīcija, kas īpaši izceļas uz pārējo dziesmu fona, ar ritma maiņām, izcilu kompozīciju un noskaņu. Tieši šī kompozīcija, pēc manām domām, parāda tā vēsturiskā perioda noskaņu un arī grupas attieksmi pret šiem notikumiem. Vienīgi tas, ka šī dziesma ir salīdzinoši īsa priekš šāda veida garadarbiem, nepilnas četras minūtes.
Tālāk seko tipiskais Loits skanējums, ar diezgan vienkāršiem meldiņiem, ritma maiņām, black ģitāru skanējumu, lai gan ne tik "jēlu" kā pierasts, un skaņas piesātinātību. Loits arī dzīvajā nebūt neskan slikti, nu un viņu ieraksti vienmēr bijuši labas kvalitātes. Spēlēt prasmi domāju nevienam no grupas dalībniekiem nevar pārmest. Īpaši varētu izcelt bundzinieku, kura radītajai skaņai ir netipiski liela loma Loits dziesmu skanējumam. Par ģitārām nav daudz ko teikt, spēlēt visi prot, vienīgi varu atzīmēt akustiska skanējuma parādīšanos pāris jaunajās dziesmās. Šinī albumā jaunās dziesma tā vairāk ir koncentrējušās sākumā, kas sākot ar sesto dziesmu ir atšķaidītas ar vecajiem labajiem gabaliem. Jāsaka gan, ka lai arī stils neko nav mainījies, tomēr man šķita, ka jaunās dziesmas nav tik viegli uztveramas kā vecās. Nevarētu teikt, ka pirmais iespaids bija vilšanās, tomēr tā jocīgi bija. Vēl viena no skanējuma īpašajām pazīmēm ir sintezators, kas reizēm gan izdveš diezgan sintētiskas skaņas, bet caurmērā veiksmīgi aizpilda tukšumus. Pamatā dziesmās skan Lembetu rūcošais vokāls, ko pa brīdim nomaina arī kāda cita veida vokāls, ar ko ir mēģināts eksperimentēt. (ir gan tīrs, gan "screaming" u.c.)
No dziesmām īpaši nevienu negribās izcelt, jo lai gan tās nav ļoti vienādas, tomēr ne uz mirkli nerodās šaubas, kas ir to izpildītājs. Var vienīgi atzīmēt Loits lielo hitu "Furor aesticus", kas arī ir iekļauts šajā platītē (a-la Lost Wisdom) – sīkums, bet patīkami.
Nu kopumā, tiem kam patīk Loits, šis ir "must have" albums – pārējiem jāsaka, nekas grandiozi manījies naf. Cik nu es palasīju informāciju, igaunijā šis albums ir uz izķeršanu, jo tur Loits popularitāti un nozīmi var salīdzināst ar Skyforger pie mums (tai skaitā, gan muzikāli gan ideoloģiski).
Jā, runājot par ideoloģiju, tagad būs lielais P.S. Šinī platītē ir izveidots interesanta multimēdijas albuma un grupas prezentācija. Tā ir ne tikai iespēja smelties informāciju par grupu, un apskatīties dziezgan provokatīvas (protams tas atkarīgs no uztveres un inforētību par vēsturi) bildes, bet arī pati ideja man ļoti patika. Informāciju var apskatīt grāmatā, kurai var pāršķirt lapaspuses, un fonā skan jestra leģionāru dziesma, ko starp citu var dzirdēt albuma beidzamās dziesmas galā. Ir pieejama informācija par albumu, grupas vēsturi, vēsturiskais komentārs par grupas ideoloģiju un redzamas pāris bildes – smuki sataisīts, neko neteiksi. (Stipri nesist, ja visi šie labumi neatrodas diskā. Man ir promo kopija, bet domāju, ka vajadzētu būt arī oriģinālajā versijā :) )
Neliels citāts: "Historical background