Ad Noctum website [Germany]:

Jawohl! Das ist wirklich ein geiles Album dieser Band aus Litauen. Ich kenne schon das Album "Tukstantmetis" der Band und auch dieses Album gefiel mir schon recht gut, auch wenn da der Sound noch nicht so gut war. Aber das neue Werk "Is kartos I Karta", welches auf deutsch soviel bedeutet wie "Von Generation zu Generation", kann hier noch mal deutlich punkten. Um es kurz zu machen: das Album ist die reinste Ansammlung von mächtigen Hymnen ganz im Stil von Ensiferum's Debüt, aber noch einen Tick schneller und temperamentvoller. Jeder Song begeistert durch seine tollen Melodien, die allesamt ziemlich unterschiedlich ausgefallen sind. Schon nach dem ersten Durchlauf machen die Tracks süchtig und mir gefällt das Album jetzt, nachdem ich es schon ein paar Mal gehört habe, noch immer sehr gut! Ausgereiftes Songwriting kann sich die Band ohne Zweifel auf ihre Fahne schreiben. Klingt wie eine gesundes Mischung aus Ensiferum, Mithotyn (aber deutlich schneller) und Manegarm - wer diese Bands liebt, der muss sich das Teil gleich zulegen, hier kann man nichts falsch machen. Erfreulich ist nämlich auch die Tatsache, dass die Band das hohe Niveau wirklich über die gesamte Spielzeit halten kann und gegen Ende keine Ausfälle zu vernehmen sind. Eine sehr gute und temperamentvolle Band, die frischen Wind in die Viking Metal Szene bringt. Abgesehen davon das beste Album von Ledo Takas Records. Obtest sind ein absoluter Geheimtipp!

 

Af Michelsen, Metal Zone.dk website [Denmark]:

Jeg er efterhånden begyndt at glæde mig hver gang jeg får et album i hånden der stammer fra de tidligere Warszawa pagt lande, med en speciel forkærlighed for de baltiske. Obtest fra Litauen er måske et af de lidt mere velkendte af slagsen, og det ville være synd at kalde dem andet end hærdede veteraner med deres 14 års erfaring, selv om ”Is Kartos I Karta” markerer deres kun tredje fuldlængde.
Obtest har siden begyndelsen valgt at skrive tekster på deres eget modersmål, hvilket i mine øjne altid er en klog beslutning, i stedet for at skrive noget værre bras på engelsk, udelukkende for at nå et bredere publikum. Stilen er blevet poleret betydeligt fra den rå begyndelse, hvilket også gælder produktionen, og Obtest leverer på ”Is Kartos I Karta” en udgave af folk metal, der i sin form minder meget om den skandinaviske. Det både driver af kultur, og opfordrer helt klart til festligt drikkelag. Men der ender sammenligningerne med den skandinaviske udgave af genren også. Obtest baserer jo netop sin musik på den litauiske folkemusik, og det giver en helt anden lyd end den skandinaviske version. Personligt er det en stil jeg genkender fra et af mine favoritbands i regionen, Skyforger, og det er interessant at høre, at folk metal sagtens kan understøtte andre etniske udtryk. Man kan sige at stilen lyder en smule fremmed i forhold til netop den skandinaviske lyd, der er kommet til at kendetegne genren (med et lille nik til kelterne) og selv om den mere begrænsede Finntroll fan måske kunne tænkes at få den østlige stil galt i halsen, synes jeg det på mange måder er mere reelt end de mere kommercielle bands i skandinavien, som netop Finntroll.
Når man lytter til ”Is Kartos I Karta” virker det usandsynligt at Obtest kun har tre fuldlængder i sit bælte. Lyden virker ekstremt veludviklet, hvilket vel kunne forventes af et 14-årigt band, og ”Is Kartos I Karta” er tydeligvis en meget oprigtig og personlig hyldest til regionen, og den musik den har skabt gennem tiden. Jeg har ingen anelse om hvad de synger, men dedikationen til musikken, for ikke at sige talentet, skinner igennem fra start til slut på ”Is Kartos I Karta”. Uden tvivl et must for enhver med hang til folk metal. [5 / 6]

 

Ajje, Metal Recensionen website [Sweden]:

Black Metal från Lettland, tja det måste vara något riktigt primitivt och satanistiskt.
Men ack, mina fördomar har än en gång spelat ett trick med mig då detta band knappt spelar den svarta genren. I själva verket låter det som en slags tung Speed/Power Metal och musiken är ibland likt det tyska bandet Stormwarriors låtar på Svenska.
Melodierna är kanske det största pluset och det största minuset är då trummorna för mig gör att låtarna tappar kraft, de är nämligen väldigt händelsefattiga och finns knapp med. Hade hemskt gärna hört lite baskaggar och hårdhet hos trummorna eftersom det hade passat som en go tårtbit i min breda käft.
Sången är för mig är ganska dålig men i mellan åt så charmar han mig på något vis med de få verkningsfulla refrängerna. Han påminner väldigt mycket om stora, maffiga tyska Power Metal sångare.
Låtmaterialet är ganska svårt att uttala sig om då de bara sjunger på sitt modersmål, men låtarna "Paskutiné Akimirka", "Iš Kartos Į Kartą" och "Audronaša" är helt klart bra låtar fast de absolut bästa spåren är utan tvekan "Devyniaragis" och "Pergale".
De två spåren har så fruktansvärt sköna texter och refränger och fastän man inte fattar ett ord så är det lätt att börja nynna på dem.
Resten av låtarna är svårt för mig att kunna urskilja och placera då de inte utmärker sig.
Produktionen fungerar och instrumenten är helt okey, därför kan man säga att det här är ett helt okey album.
Tempot är väldigt snabbt rakt igenom men det är ganska svårlyssnat och det är svårt att hålla koncentrationen uppe genom alla 43 och en halv minuter.
Bör köpas ifall man är sugen på något nytt och inte bara den gamla vanliga Norska Svartmetallen, även ett positivt köp ifall min gillar snabba melodier. [7 / 10]

[summary]
First of, I like the guitar work and the quite unusual voice of the singer. But i don't think it's very much Black Metal in it though, more like some sort of heavy heathen Power/Speed metal in the "true" way.
I think this is a very good album and its the first band I have encountern to sing in Lithuanian, but it has been a very good experience and my two favorite songs are Devyniaragis and Pergale. After those two I like these most: Paskutiné Akimirka, Iš Kartos I Karta, Audronaša. [7 / 10]

 

Alboin, Metal.de website [Germany]:

Von den Lithauern OBTEST habe ich nur vor beinahe zehn Jahren mal ein Tape gehört, und das war rumpeliger Black Metal, an den ich mich beim besten Willen nicht mehr genau erinnern kann - und jetzt, das dritte Album. Man wird alt. Die Zeit bleibt nicht stehen, das wird gerade an diesem Album sehr deutlich. Fernab ihrer polterigen Wurzeln spielen OBTEST im Jahr 2005 schmissigen, stilsicheren Pagan Metal mit einem guten Schuss Heaviness. Eingängiges Schlagzeug begleitet prägnante Metalriffs, die nach dem zweiten oder dritten Hören hängenbleiben, dazu gibt es überaus melodiöse Leadgitarren und gewöhnungsbedürftigen Gesang. Um sich an den zu gewöhnen braucht man schon eine gewisse Zeit, weil der Herr zum einen gänzlich in der Heimatsprache singt, zum anderen die Darbietung mit keiner der bekannten Vortragsarten vergleichbar ist. Er kreischt nicht, er schreit nicht, er grunzt nicht, er singt nicht clean. Stattdessen hat er sich irgendwo zwischen rauer Stimmlage und Power Metal eingependelt, aber mit einer höchst eigenwilligen und charakteristischen Färbung. Man sollte das einfach mal hören, wenn man sich ein Bild machen will.
Es ist wirklich nicht leicht, das Album stilistisch und von seiner Stimmung her einzuordnen. Für typischen Viking Metal passiert zu viel Metallisches, für Heavy Metal sind die Stücke zu hymnisch, für Black Metal ist alles bei weitem zu verspielt und beschwingt (von dem ziemlich straight düsteren "Audronasa" abgesehen). Am ehesten würde ich OBTEST noch mit MITHOTYN und SUIDAKRA vergleichen, wobei ich gleich sagen muss, dass "Is Kartos I Karta" vermutlich das Album geworden ist, das beide Bands bestimmt gerne immer aufnehmen wollten. So frisch und mit authentischer Spielfreude ist seit langer Zeit keine Band mehr gesegnet gewesen, und das macht einfach Spaß. Es stecken viele Gedanken, viel Arbeit, viel Tradition und Versenkung im Wesen dieser Musik, merklich mehr als in den meisten Werken westlicher Bands. Die Produktion steht dem auch in nichts nach, die ist organisch, druckvoll und angenehm zu hören. Damit haben sie mehr geleistet als 100% aller kitschigen Pagan-Metal-Bands unserer wunderbaren germanischen Nation. Dass die Platte bei mir nicht mehr Punkte abgreift liegt einfach daran, dass ich ihr nicht sehr viel mehr abgewinnen kann als ein halbes Dutzend netter Hördurchgänge - Gänsehaut ist Fehlanzeige.
OBTEST haben also im Rahmen ihrer Möglichkeiten alles richtig gemacht: sie haben ihre Platte nicht überfrachtet, Stücke in anständiger Länge und mit eigenem Charakter geschaffen, sie mit Herzblut und Überzeugung gespielt, ihre baltische Herkunft nicht verleugnet, haben sich nicht verkauft und sind bei ihrem kleinen Heimatlabel geblieben. Beste Voraussetzungen, um in dieser Szene auf ganzer Linie zu scheitern. [7 / 10]

 

Alex, The Metal Observer website [Germany]:

It happens sometimes that you lose track of a band for several years and when they then return they have changed a little and you have to realize that it is a very, very good band that you should never have lost sight of them. The latest “victim” of this kind listens to the name of OBTEST, whose 1997 album “Tukstantmetis“ stands in my collection and I had not even heard of any of the three EPs and album after. And now comes “Is Kartos I Karta“ (“From Generation To Generation“) and it swipes me off my feet!
Four years after the last long player “Auka Seniems Dievams“ they now present incredible power, freshness and great melodies that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy. Basically OBTEST play some sort of Pagan Metal, but without the strongly ostensible Folky melodies that make a band like the ingenious Latvians of SKYFORGER stand out so much, and also without the gruff Death or Black Metal vocals. Instead singer Baalberith has a rough, but still clear voice, which together with the Lithuanian lyrics is one of the defining factors of the OBTEST sound.
“Paskutin? Akimirka“ (“The Last Blink“) is the song that had hit me completely unawares, with thundering double-bass and from the get-go great melodies, the already mentioned vocals and its very own charm and that is only the beginning of a tour de force that often operates in up-tempo, but still does not get boring, but has a sort of primordial force that you can hardly elude. “Devyniaragis“ (“The Nine-Horned“) contains a great lead guitar, while the title track is more rhythmic, a bit less furious, but with a more distinct and more epic chorus, plus these great leads, great, great, great! Further highlights are “Audronasa“ ("Stormbringer“) and „Pirmyn!“ ("Forward!“), but basically I can recommend any song off this album!
At times the melodies and powerful rhythms almost remind me a bit of Power Metal, but without losing the rough note of the “Heathen War Metal“ (as the Lithuanians call their style themselves). The production also is very good and gives the power of the compositions the right room, which makes “Is Kartos I Karta“ such an entertaining album.
OBTEST do not lose themselves in details or genre foreign instruments, but have created an album with character, power, expression and great melodies, which I had never heard like that before, and can sweep the floor with the majority of today's Pagan scene. Pirmyn! [9 / 10]

 

Ali The Metallian, Metallian website [Canada]:

It seems like Lithuania's Ledo Takas is a principled record label. The new album of Obtest comes in a couple of formats, features English translations to the titles and lyrics and enjoys a professional sound and packaging. The label even promotes its bands - what do you know?
Obtest is actually a solid listen. The band's roots seem to lie in the realm of the punks, although much of the melody on Is Kartos I Karta (From Generation To Generation) stems from folk a la early Amorphis. A good example of this sound is the song Pergale. In contrast, its follow-up Griausmavaldys is faster and wilder, for instance. The vocalist is a regular yeller and sounds like a sicko. Long instrumental sections seem deliberate and tie the knot between Impaled Nazarene and Amorphis. Obtest is a serious contender.

 

All, Payo magazine [Czechia]:

Rozhovor s vydavatelstvim Ledo Takas na strankach Paya ani radne neuzral a už tu mame dalši nahravku z teto perspektivni staje. Na uvod musim podotknout, že velmi povedenou. OBTEST už na predchozim CD „Auka Seniems Dievams“ predvedli, že jsou velice nadejnou formaci, prinašejici čerstvi vitr do metalovych plachet. Material na „Iš Kartos I Karta“ (v prekladu „Z generace na generaci“) však predešly počin ješte v mnoha ohledech prekonava. Hned od sameho počatku jsou ke slyšeni rychla kytarova sola, podporena neskutečne zpevnymi refreny. Litevska lyrika v součinnosti s originalnim zvukem nahravky vnesla do me hlavy bujareho „metaloveho červa“. Jdu po ulici a v mysli se mi motaji blaznive kytarove kolotoče z prvniho tracku „Paskutine Akimirka“. Stojim na eskalatoru a litevsky si prozpevuji uryvek skladby „Pergale“. Predtim se proste neda utect! Nejvice jsem však fascinovan samotnymi začatky skladeb. Temer všechny totiž rozjiždi nakažlive chytlave vyhravky a o jejich „libivosti“ už se radeji nebudu vice zminovat. OBTEST maji z každe metalove odnože neco. Thrash-blackove vichrice doplnuji chytlavymi heavy metalovymi melodiemi a s pomoci lidoveho folkloru vytvareji nemilosrdne originalni obraz, vonici jedinečnou barvou litevskych luk a poli. Kdyby podobne stylove zamerena partička vznikla kdekoli jinde na zapade, težko by o ni zavadil pes. Jenže OBTEST maji nepopsatelne charisma a to je stavi hodne nad ostatni žanrove spriznence. Vubec se neboji nepochopeni a svou hudbu podavaji tim nejuprimnejšim možnym zpusobem. Toto album se skutečne posloucha samo. Všechny skladby jsou doslova nabity pozitivni energii a vitalitou. Zaroven ne a ne se oposlouchat. OBTEST me velice mile prekvapili. „Iš Kartos I Karta“ v me CD sbirce rozhodne nebude ležet ladem! Stylova škatulka BALTIC METAL je na svete! Doufam, že se OBTEST na svych koncertnich štacich zastavi take v naši pr?ave republice! Hoši litevsky, mate zlate ruce… [9 / 10]

 

Alvaro Pacheco, Burning Black webmagazine [Chile]:

I must admit this is the first time I hear Obtest, but this Lithuanian band have been immerse into the underground since 1992 and this is actually their third full length album!! For those who don't know, Obtest plays Heathen War Heavy Metal, I always tend to associate War Metal with Black Metal… well, this is not the case. Their music is an epic hybrid of styles, from traditional Heavy Metal, Thrash to Black Metal, very melodic, epic and majestic with a huge ancient pagan feeling. While the backing guitar plays thrashing yet melodic riffs, the lead guitar plays baroque, magnificent melodies. The guitars strongly define the sound of Obtest, recreating glorious, epic battles full of sharpened axes and bloody swords. The drums are definitely the most “Black Metal” in this work, very versatile, with strong performance; speed blast beats passages parts and some double bass parts. The vocals were, to me, a little hard-to-swallow, even though those are extremely powerful, strong and full of emotion, sounds (to me… I insist) a little “out of place” in comparison with the rest of the instruments, the vocals sound more Hard Rock than Metal, the voices are clean but raspy, with some blackish voices here and there, just listen the seventh track “Burtai” (“Spells” translated). All this album moves between mid to fast tempos, but the fast velocities are absolutely predominant. All songs are sung in their native language, and the Lithuanian pronunciation gives a special aura and an arcane feeling to this epic panorama. Though this album wasn't completely of my personal taste, its high musical quality is undeniable. Don't get confused with the album cover or the band logo, Obtest is NOT a Black Metal band but if you are into melodic and epic stuff you will find in “Is Kartos I Karta” an entire new world full of ancient battles, honor, bravery and, of course, plenty of blood.

 

Andrew, Cult Of Death webzine [USA]:

Another gem from the Eastern Front! This is quite an original release. When I read the bio and saw that I would be hearing Heathen Metal, I was prepared for another competent but derivative Graveland clone, but not so. Obtest brings much more to the table. Mixing old style power metal, thrash, and much influence from the death/black scene, they have quite an original sound. The vocals would not be out of place on a late 80s or early 90s thrash metal record - they're gruff, but not growled. The song writing is also quite memorable. Overall, if you're looking for something a bit off the cuff and not typical, this would be the release you want.

 

Antti Kavonen, Noise website [Finland]:

Metsatöll, Loits ja Skyforger ovat viime vuosina parantaneet virolaisen ja latvialaisen metallin tunnettuutta maailmalla, mutta Liettuasta ei ole ainakaan tähän mennessä noussut suuriin otsikoihin raskaan metallin kokoonpanoa. Tällaiseen asemaan saattaisi päästä nyt kolmannen pitkäsoittonsa julkaiseva Obtest, joka esittää metallinsa balttilaiseen tyyliin äidinkielellään ja eeppisellä otteella.
Levy alkaa henkeäsalpaavan vahvasti. Puolalaisilta kuolonmetallilevyiltä tuttu suttuinen rytmikitarointi ja muutoinkin aavistuksen treenikämppämäinen soundi häivyttää rummut lähes kuulemattomiin, mutta päälle ladotaan tauotta niin jumalaisen ylvästä leadia, että korvia kuumottaa. Kitarointi muistuttaa milloin Iron Maidenin alkuajoista, milloin Bathoryn viikinkikaudesta, ja tunnelma kohoaa hieman samantyyppiseksi kuin Manowarin eeppisimmillä levyillä. Nopeus on vain nostettu toiseen potenssiin, eikä kuulijalle anneta kummempia hengähdystaukoja koko 40-minuuttisen aikana. Kitaristit rakentavat yksinkertaisista melodioista huikean komeita ja mahtipontisia sävellyksiä, jotka jäävät soimaan päähän niin tehokkaasti, että Teostolle pitänee maksaa ruhtinaalliset korvaukset.
Vokalistin ääni on varsin karhea mutta sen verran tärkeä melodinen elementti, että sitä ajattelee helpommin puhtaana tulkintana kuin örinänä. Iskevimmät melodiat on sijoitettu levyn alkuun, ja innostus tasoittuu hiljalleen sen loppua kohden, mutta kyse on kokonaisuudessaan erittäin vahvasta ja mielenkiintoisesta paketista, jota vieläpä kaupataan varsin kohtuulliseen hintaan. Is Kartos Į Kartą -teosta on helppo suositella kärpäspaperimaisia melodioita ja eeppisyyttä pelkäämättömille metallisteille. [4 / 5]

[translation]
Metsatöll, Loits and Skyforger have made Estonian and Latvian metal famous over the recent years, but so far the Lithuanians have lacked a similar band reaching big news. One band that could reach this kind of a position are Obtest, who, as many other Baltic groups, perform their metal in their native tongue and with an epic touch.
The record’s beginning is breathtakingly strong. The smutty rhythm guitars familiar from some Polish death metal albums and a generally dirty sound policy almost make the percussion disappear, but the lead guitars added on top of the thing are so noble they almost make your ears bleed. The six-strings sometimes remind of early Iron Maiden, sometimes of viking-era Bathory, and the atmosphere is kept slightly similar to the early epic albums by Manowar. The difference is the speed is furious almost all the 40-minute duration. The band build colossal and majestic melodies from simple ingredients, and in fact they are so catchy they’ll stick to your ears for days.
The vocalist has a rather crunchy voice, but it has an important part in creating the music’s melodies, so it has a more clean-vocal than a growl-type feel in it. The strongest songs have wisely been placed into the beginning of the album, and compositions in the end of the album don’t have such a special to them any more, but as a whole we’re talking about a very capable and interesting album, that’s also sold for a very reasonable price.
Is Kartos I Karta can easilly be recommended to anyone who’s into catchy melodies in an epic environment. [4 / 5]

 

Astus, The Nocturnal Battle of Chariots webmagazine [Poland]:

Będąc z wami szczerym, musze powiedziec, iz nie docenialem poprzedniego longa OBTEST. "Auka Seniems Dievams" jakos mi nie podchodzil, momentami uwazalem go (sam nie wiem dlaczego) za zabawny… I jak mnie pamięc nie myli, to od ponad dwoch lat juz do tej plyty nie wracam. Lata lecą, a tu Litwini wydali nowy album… i od pierwszego numeru mną on zawladnąl! "Is Kartos I Karta" to fenomenalny krązek, pelen znakomitych, chwytliwych i rozbrajająco melodyjnych numerow, ktore jak juz raz wpadną w ucho, to za chuja juz z niego wyjsc nie chcą. Na dodatek poganskie hymny OBTEST są inne od wszystkiego innego, co juz slyszeliscie i za nic nie ma sensu wysilanie się na jakies porownania. Przepis jest prosty - Litwini wymyslili garsc fenomenalnych melodyjnych riffow, takich, co to nie będą nikomu przeszkadzac, a jednoczesnie będą na tyle mocne, by muzyka byla cięzka, zywiolowa, szybka… Kazdy kolejny wiec utwor to potencjalny hicior ze względu na swoją przebojowosc, a jednoczesnie, mimo calego tego natęzenia melodii, wszystkie numery az kipią energią. Album jest naprawdę szybki, prący naprzod, gitary sprawiają niemal wrazenie, jakby galopowaly i nic nie bylo ich w stanie powstrzymac. Nie ma wiec tu miejsca na nudę!!! Oczywiscie nadal jednak jest to bardzo epicki i na wskros poganski, jednym slowem niesamowity material. Ma kapitalny sound, swietną oprawę graficzną… Ah, slowem nie wspomnialem o wokalach, ktore zdaje się, iz na poprzedniej plycie mi nie podchodzily za bardzo. Tymczasem tutaj uwazam je za jeden z mocniejszych punktow - oryginalne, czyste wokalizy, wykrzykujące / spiewające teksty spisane w ojczystym języku OBTEST brzmią naprawdę swietnie i glowę daje, ze gdyby nie one, to "Is Kartos I Karta" nie bylby az tak dobry. Po tym calym swoim zachwycie nowym albumem OBTEST nie mam innego wyboru, jak tylko raz jeszcze sięgnąc po poprzedni album i dac mu jeszcze jedną szansę… Moze okazac się, iz mylilem się przy jego recenzowaniu. Ufff, konczę zatem i nie pozostaje na koniec mi nic innego, jak tylko polecic kupno "Is Kartos I Karta" kazdemu maniakowi!!!!!! [9 / 10]

 

Azrael, Taste Of Black website [Switzerland]:

Litauen macht sich immer mehr auf der Metal-Landkarte. Nach Dissimulation sind Obtest die nächste erfreuliche Überraschung. Heathen War Heavy Metal ist die Devise, und keine Stilbezeichnung brächte die Musik des heidnischen Quartetts, das sich in den Texten ganz der Geschichte, dem Erbe und der Tradition seines Landes widmet, besser auf den Punkt. Schlachthymnen wie das stampfende "Devyniargis" das sehr melodische "Is Kartos I Karta" oder das abschliessende, Quorthon von Bathory gewidmete und entsprechend sehr epische "Suminti Juodi Takai" gehen sofort ins Blut und bringen Leben in die Bude. Baalberiths Stimme ist angenehm rau, durchgehend melodisch gehalten, und dadurch, dass sämtliche Texte in der Landessprache gehalten sind, wirkt das Ganze noch ein ganzes Quäntchen authentischer. Die Stärke von Obtest liegt ganz klar darin, griffige, ehrliche und kraftvolle Songs zu schreiben, die hängen bleiben und zu denen man sowohl sein Methorn heben und lautstark mitsingen kann oder zu denen sich auch gepflegt die Rübe schütteln lässt. Bei "Pergale" kommt noch ein geniales, gefühlvolles Solo zum Zug, welches den Song perfekt abrundet, während "Aurdonoasa" die schwarzmetallischen Wurzeln von Obtest offenbart. In "Is Kartos I Karta" (bedeutet auf Deutsch übersetzt "Opfer an die Götter") steckt Herzblut, Leidenschaft und Stolz. Obtest, die früher auf den Pfaden von Slayer und und Manowar wandelten, haben heute einen ganz eigenen Stil, der, und das muss man der Band sehr hoch anrechnen, ohne jeglichen Frauengesang, Keyboard oder den in diesem Genre üblichen und dementsprechend ausgelutschten Chöre auskommt. "Is Kartos Is Karta" ist Pflichtstoff für alle Anhänger von heidnischem Metal, und ich wünsche mir ganz ehrlich, dass Obtest einmal auf Tour kommen und ihre Leidenschaft auch auf helvetischen Bühnen zelebrieren. Auf dass der Kult weitergeht... [8,8/ 10]

 

Banditaz, Hellmusic portal [Lithuania]:

Nuskynus pirmuosius šių metų “metalinės“ scenos vaisius, rodos, jau užderėjo ir rudeninis derlius: pirmieji, ketverius metus nokę, prisirpo pagonys OBTEST. Kitaip, negu DISSIMULATION „Prakeikimo“ netikėtas siurprizas, OBTEST „Iš Kartos Į Kartą“ buvo brandinamas kelerius metus, ir jo nemažai laukta. Todėl iš karto iškilo nenumaldomas noras paragauti šitiek ilgai išlaikyto garsų gėrimo.
Bent jau promocinės versijos voko apipavidalinimas traukiantis akį (viršeliui panaudota A. Ostasenkovo nuotrauka), tačiau ne itin kokybiškos išvaizdos – per tamsi ir susiliejanti fotografija. Belieka džiaugtis, jog tuo liko nepatenkinti ir “Ledo Takas“, ir pati grupė, todėl jis buvo pakeistas nauju. Beje, kompaktinė plokštelė visiškai „true“ juoda. Kaip bebūtų, svarbu saldainio turinys, o ne blizgutis, likęs jį išvyniojus. Primoji kompozicija „Paskutinė Akimirka“ jau buvo publikuota „Ledo Tako“, tad jau perklausyta daugybę kartų. Turiu prisipažinti, bet pirmą kart išgirdęs naują OBTEST skambesį stačiai nusivyliau. Nors gabalas energingas kaip visi buvę ir esantys, tačiau kažkur dingo tas toks įsimylėtas „Tūkstantmečio“ pagan/black skambesys. Pakitęs vokalas privertė kiek nuliūsti, o būgnai skamba itin silpnai (amžina ir nenykstanti įgarsinimo problema...). Tačiau kiek nuramino išlikusi pagoniška karo koncepcija: „Kiekviena akimirka galbūt paskutinė / laiko neskaičiuoja nei žemė nei dangus / Liko tik širdis viena išdegintoj krūtinėj / plaka tiktai būgnai, vėl į kovą kviečia mus!“ priverčia nejučia prisiminti savo istoriją. Galų gale, perklausius gabalą tam tikrą skaičių kartų, apsipratau su nauju skambesiu.
„Devyniaragis“ – vienas iš tų gabalų, kurio priedainį (šiuo atveju – savotišką antrinį) nejučia esi priverstas įsiminti ir dar ilgai kartoti. „Devyniaragis, devyniaragis“ niūniavau sau porą vakarų iš eilės. Titulinis albumo kūrinys greičiu neatsilieka nuo kitų albumo gabalų tačiau labai „pavargęs“. Nors muzikiniame energijos stygiuje kartojami žodžiai „Tvirti kaip siena stojam iš kartos į kartą. Mes buvom, esame ir liksime visiems laikams!“ parodo, ką turi neužmiršti kiekvienas tikras pagoniškas lietuvis: likti tvirtu visur ir visada.
„Pergalė“ patraukė kiek unikalesne melodija, nes albumas nuo pat pradžių skamba kiek vienodžiau, bet gal todėl atrodo vientisesnis. Iš tiesų kūrinys labai melodingas, ir šį kartą tikrai galima leptelti, kad OBTEST tvirčiau pasuko heavy rodyklės kryptimi. Penktas gabalas antru sudurtiniu pavadinimu „Griausmavaldys“ galiausiai davė tai, ko laukiau nuo pat pirmų sekundžių. Galiausiai išgirdau kiek pasislėpusią senojo skambesio dvasią: ir vokalas mielas širdžiai, ir kompozicijai jokių priekaištų.
Vėl sudurtinis žodis – Audronaša. Jųjų gausa suteikia albumui šiokio tokio mistiškumo ir išskirtinumo, jau neminint to fakto, jog lietuvių kalba lietuviškose sunkiosios muzikos grupėse tikrai nėra dominuojanti. Gabalo ritmika labai panaši į „Pergalės“, tačiau su savu prieskoniu. „Audra... Audra... Audronaša!”. Įprastas OBTEST pykčio ir energijos pliūpsnis, nepamirštant melodingumo ir kažko panašaus į solo. „Burtai“ įsiminė keistai nostalgiškai ir liūdnai skambančiomis solinės gitaros partijomis. Puikiai tiktų kokio nors dokumentinio filmo apie ankstyvą Lietuvos istoriją garso takeliui. Antroji gabalo dalis galiausiai priminė, kad kaidaise OBTEST grojo black‘ą. Vienas geresnių albumo gabalų, gaila tik, kad nelabai unikalus.
„Pirmyn!” pradžia kaip iš heavy metal vadovėlio: vien tik gitarų solo partija, tema, besikartojanti viso kūrinio metu. O priedainis neleidžia pamiršt, kad klausai OBTEST: nepailstantis raginimas žengti į prieki, pirmyn. Taip raginamas nejučia priartėji prie paskutinio, devintojo ir, turbūt, brandžiausio (mano ausimis) gabalo „Suminti Juodi Takai“. Juodi takai – tai mirusiųjų takai, vedantys į kalną, į kurį reikia įkopti, norint baigti sunkią ir varginančią kelionę anapus. Nors melodinga, tačiau slegianti liūdna kompozicija tikrai verkiančiomis gitaromis trunka visas penkias minutes, bet baigiasi ji kažkaip keistai greitai, palikdama skendėti apmąstymuose...
Tikėjaus ne to, ką gavau, bet ir šiuo produktu nesu nusivylęs. Dingo tas senasis black/pagan skambesys, bet atsirado kiek daugiau heavio. Nežinau, gal ir gerai, kad nestovima vietoje, o keičiamasi, ieškoma vis naujų, neužkariautų plotų. Todėl niekada negali žinoti, kaip skambės kitas OBTEST albumas, todėl tai labai intriguoja. Keista, bet po BALTO TRIUKŠMO įtakos albumas man skamba kažkaip (atleiskit, kalbininkai) „skinovai“, o t.y. karingai ir patriotiškai. Keista, bet atrodo, jog įrašinėjant būgnai buvo kažkur užkišti: skamba per tyliai ir skystai. Nepaisant visų minusų, darbas vertas dėmesio. Jei ne senu skambesiu, tai nauju, o OBTEST šiuo metu bene vieninteliai pagoniškos vėliavos nešėjai. [7,5-8 / 10]

 

Bato, Metal Revolution website [Denmark]:

Title of the Obtest's new album sounds almost funny when trying to pronounced in Lithuanian, but it gives much more sense when translated to English: From Generation to Generation. This is Obtest's third effort, marking a further step from their black metal past moving towards more melodic thrash metal with many different mix and influences. I mean this kind of music is very hard to describe so don't expect a hole lot from me on that field. But you can hear a wide range of sounds, from Paradise Lost alike melodic parts to more thrash/black Scandinavian metal melodies and sounds. Meanwhile, I can tell you that Obtest this time around presents to us 9 well played tracks with few trademarks that are very obvious like; precise double-kick rhythms that really never stops and kick your ass during the 42 minutes of the cd, epic choruses with strong screaming vocals with shouting voice, but unfortunately for me in Lithuanian, and quite impressive melodic lead-guitar with tight thrashy riffage which is the best thing about this release. It is also quite obvious that the band has existed for many years now (actually since far 1992) and that their discography is very long and quite impressive, but at the same time I feel like something is missing, maybe because of many line-up changes etc. All in all it can be summarized as: strange, unusual but also integrant & intangible piece of work. For more info on this or any other bands, please check: www.ledotakas.net [3 / 6]

 

Birutė, Ferrum.lt portal [Lithuania]:

Oi, na ir ilgam užgulė nosį „pūvančio Kristaus“ smarvė. Šioji privertė laikinai išleisti iš akiračio reikšmingą lietuviškai metalo scenai įvykį – pagaliau pasirodžiusį jau veteranais galinčių tituluotis OBTEST diską „Iš kartos į kartą“. Graikų dievų pakerėti, stipriai atsiliekame su jo recenzija. Na, dar ir dėl to, kad jis sėkmingai keliavo iš geležinių rankų į rankas, kol pagaliau šis egzempliorius paraudo iš gėdos, dar net nekritikuotas. Atleisk, gerbiamasis, ir jūs, jo autoriai, čia taisau šią klaidą.
Taigi, devynetas šviežiu krauju apšlakstytų, pagoniška karo dvasia subrandintų ir griausmu palaimintų kompozicijų skverbiasi į nekantrias ausis. Pradžia ne itin įspūdinga, gal net nuobodoka, nors ir dinamiška. Na ir kam iš karto taip, „Paskutinė akimirka“? Vaizdas pasitaiso sulig jau senokai girdėtu, bet lyg naujai nuskambančiu „Devyniaragiu“, o viso disko skambesys, iš karto pabrėžtina, jei ne idealus, tai tikrai geras. Bet kodėl devyniaragio „mitas“ vietomis taip panašiai skamba į tąją „akimirką“? Užsieniečius, kuriems OBTEST kūryba vis dar gali įpūsti šviežios ugnies, turėtų pamaloninti į anglų kalbą išversti tekstai. Tuo tarpu lietuviški gabalų pavadinimai byloja, kad net neturėdami tokių didelių ambicijų, kaip nerimstantys MANOWARai, vaikinai alsuoja karingumo ir pergalių dvasia. Muzikos brandumo ir įdomumo požiūriu išskirtinas titulinis (trečiasis), „Burtai“ ir „Suminti juodi takai“, nors ir kiti nariai turi savo patrauklumo. Bet štai ne pirmą kartą klausant, išryškėja tam tikras kūrybinis „liapsusas“, mat „Iš kartos į kartą“ ir „Pergalė“ pradžia kone identiška. Nors pastarąją galima įsimylėti iš pirmo žvilgsnio, atsiprašau, akordo. „Griausmavaldys“ protarpiais Ironiškas, „Audronaša“ – netgi stipriai blekeriška, „Pirmyn!” – labai įdomi, teksto ir muzikos dermės prasme. Ir dar, pagarba fotografui ir apipavidalintojui, už malonumą ne tik laikyti diską, bet ir vartyti poligrafiją.
Kaip nenorėtų apsiversti liežuvis griežtai kritikai, ji, negailestingoji, nusitaikys į vokalisto daržą. Šiojo „instrumentas“ per tiek metų beveik neprogresuoja: tas pats išrėkiantis balsas, nei growlingas, nei dainavimas. Gal jis kažkiek sustiprėjo, bet tik rėksmingo aštrumo linkme. Na, nepriskirsim OBTEST prie aktyvios diskusijos „grupės, kuriose vokalistas netinka prie muzikos“ subjektų, bet... Ir, tikėkimės, amžini karai ilgainiui nepradės klausytojams kelti jei ne susierzinimą, tai žiovulį.
Kas progresyvaus šių ilgamečių kariūnų stovykloje? Pirmyn veda vis dėlto patobulėjusi grojimo technika, geresnis daugelio kompozicijų išbaigtumas. Juntama, kad kūryba turbūt ėjosi nelengvai, užtat apgalvotai. Ir neverta naujojo produkto lyginti su ankstesniais, nes čia, taip sakant, ir tūkstantmetis naujas, ir auka seniems dievams kita. Užbėgant už akių, dar viena naujovė: OBTESTai jau penki! Ką gi, gal spalio pirmoji, kuomet visą naująjį produktą išgirsime „gyvai“, kažkiek pakeis šį vertinimą. Tuo tarpu – stiprus aštuonetas, kaip pasakytų tamsta mokytoja... [8 / 10]

 

Bjørn Nørsterud, Scream magazine [Norway]:

[translation]
Lithuania and The Baltics have been delivering usable metal through the years and Obtest seemed to be one of that kind. However at "Is Kartos I Karta"(which I suppose means "I can't read a map") the band is too anonymous. Tiresom folk-thrash from the start to the end gives too little for me. Therefore such an OB-Test can be more useful for Lithuanian women. [2 / 6]

 

Bolli, Deadfall website [Germany]:

"Heathen War Heavy Metal" - Schon mal was von gehört? Ich bisher auch nicht, aber wenn man die Band Obtest schon in eine Schublade stecken muß, sollte diese so beschriftet sein. Die Band begann, wie so viele andere in den frühen Neunzigern mit Black Metal, aber als eine der wenigen entwickelten sie ihren eigenen Sound, der sicherlich durch einige Bands inspiriert wurde, allerdings nichts kopiert.
"Iš Kartos Į Kartą" (Von Generation zu Generation) heißt das nun erschienene Werk der Band aus Litauen, die auf dem Infozettel lediglich als "[..]eine der besseren baltischen Heathen Metal Bands" angepriesen wird. Ohne allzugroße Erwartungen legte ich die Promo also in meinen CD-Player ein und war ein klein wenig überrascht. Sollten Obtest nur eine der besseren baltischen Heathen Metal Bands sein, so kannte ich die beste auf jeden Fall noch nicht. Wenn man den Stil von Obtest mit anderen Bands vergleichen wollte, würde man vielleicht eine Mischung aus Einherjer, Skyforger, Iron Maiden und Slayer vorschlagen, wobei die ersten beiden Bands auf jeden Fall überwiegen.
Durchweg kraftvolle und schnelle Songs durchziehen das Album, mal ein wenig Black-Metal lastiger, mal Heavy-Riffing, gepaart mit melodischen Sologitarren. Insgesamt ist das ganze Album sowieso recht melodisch, obwohl keine Synthesizer zum Einsatz kommen. Außerdem hatte ich bei einigen Songs das Gefühl als wären sie in alkoholisiertem Zustand sogar tanzbar. Mit "Paskutine Akimirka" legen die Jungs von Obtest auf jeden Fall schon gleich zu Beginn richtig los. Ausnahmweise ohne Intro, wie es normalerweise ja heutzutage Gang und Gebe ist, setzt schnelles, hartes Riffing ein, was kurze Zeit später durch cleanes, aber dennoch kraftvolles Geschrei unterstützt wird. Verstehen werden den Herrn Baalberith (Vocals) allerdings die Wenigsten, denn er singt in seiner Heimatsprache Litauisch, was den Songs aber in keinster Weise schadet, im Gegenteil, mal zur Abwechslung indogermanischen Gesang zu haben, als immer nur "Skandinavisch" ist sicherlich nichts Negatives.
"Pirmyn!" - Vorwärts! Gegen Ende der CD bäumen sich die Litauen noch einmal richtig auf, kommen erst langsam mit melodischen Riffs auf der Sologitarre in Fahrt und drehen dann richtig auf. Zwar eins der vergleichsweise seichteren Stücke, doch gerade beim Refrain spürt man hier den Drang mitzugröhlen (den ich glücklicherweise unterdrücken konnte, man will sich schließlich nicht lächerlich machen).
Und genau wie die CD begann, hört sie auch nach ca. 43 Minuten wieder auf, mit gutem "Heathen War Heavy Metal". Kein schlechtes oder auch nur mittelmäßiges Stück, recht gute Produktion, alles in allem eine Kaufempfehlung, wer Skyforger und Einherjer mag, wird Obtest lieben.
Hier hat man dann die Qual der Wahl, normale Jewel Case Version, auf 1000 Stck. limitiertes Digipack (DIN A5) oder doch lieber für die Nostalgiker die 12" Vinyl Edition? Bei der Entscheidung kann ich nicht helfen, wer allerdings erstmal reinhören möchte, sollte folgende Stücke wählen... [8 / 10]
Anspieltipps:
- Iš Kartos Į Kartą
- Pirmyn!

 

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

Az elozo Obtest album egy pagan metal klasszikus, ezt mindenfele tulzas nelkul allithatom, tehat nem volt egyszeru dolga a litvan hordanak, amikor nekilatott, hogy elkeszitse a 3. Obtest nagylemezt. Szerencsere a fiuk az uj lemezzel ott folytatjak, ahol az elozo Auka Seniems Dievams koronggal abbahagytak. Nem erzem olyan erosnek ezt az uj lemezt, mint az elodjet, de azt is le kell szogeznem, hogy meg kozelrol sem hallgattam annyit, mint az Auka-t. Barbar ritmusok, balti dallamok es a mindent elsopro obtesti lendulet jellemzi az uj lemezt, amit jo szokasukhoz hiven most is anyanyelvukon tolmacsolnak, termeszetesen a dalok szovegei angolul is olvashatoak a boritoban. Peldaerteku, hogy ezek a balti bandak mennyire apoljak nepuk hagyomanyait es megprobaljak megorizni identitasukat ebben a rohadt amerikanizalodo jelenunkben. Remelem, hogy a jovore startolo turne valahogy hozzank is eler, mert ezeket a lenduletes notakat eloben lehetne igazan aterezni. Kivalo alkota! [9 / 10]

 

Brendan Shaw, Metal Coven website [USA]:

When I first put this cd in, the first thing that popped into my head was why haven't I heard this band before? It's really odd how some really quality bands can slip through the cracks and remain in relative obscurity throughout the majority of their lifespan. Maybe Obtest aren't even that obscure a band and I'm just out of the loop. Regardless, the newest full length from this Lithuanian band, Iš Kartos I Karta, is a solid slab of pagan thrash.
Fast and catchy is what this album is all about. Nothing ever seems really flashy, but there are plenty of great riffs, rhythms, solos, drum fills and general awesomeness .The vocals are a gruff but not screaming growl which invokes the image of a warrior in battle who's having the time of his life slaying legions of enemies. The clean sound on this album is very welcome, with all instruments being audible and crisp.
The album title, Iš Kartos I Karta, means From Generation to Generation which is the general theme that ties this album together. Obtest make a point to translate all song and album titles, as well as the lyrics since they feel it's important for all listeners to understand what is being sung which I think is pretty cool. They also refuse to use anything but 'standard metal resources' consisting of drums, bass, guitars and vocals for their music. So even though the melodies sometimes sound a little folkish, you won't ever hear any traditional folk instruments. Given the context of the music here, they're not needed anyway. In the tradition of heavy metal, these songs already kick ass. I'm going to keep my eye on these guys from now on, and I recommend this album to anyone else unfamiliar with this band. [8,5 / 10]

 

Carlos, Kuravilu website [Chile]:

Finalmente el nuevo ?lbum de Obtest llega a mi casilla!!! La espera ya me tenia medio inquieto debido a la seguidilla de "extravios" de correspondencia, pero gracias al "cola'e flecha" este trabajo pudo llegar a mis manos sin ser robado por los maracos de Correos de Chile!!!!!.
En fin... luego del 7" que habian sacado un par de anos atr?s, las cosas han tomado una veta algo m?s melodica para Obtest, sin que eso signifique mamonadas.... otro progreso notable es la mejora del sonido y produccion de la cual su sello, Ledo Takas, debe ser en gran parte responsable ya que todo el material que me ha llegado ultimamente de ellos est? sonando de puta madre!! De hecho, en este trabajo el baterista ha participado de manera completa sin el uso de la programada a la que tuvieron que hechar mano en el ?lbum anterior, todo debido a las precarias condiciones para grabar con las que contaban en ese entonces... y vaya que trabaja bien este baterista... el doble bombo casi no para en todo el ?lbum!!! completamente alejado de lo est?tico de algunas de las super estrellas del Black Metal donde prima la rapidez a una bataria m?s libre, aguja y m?s participativa de las composiciones, como es posible escuchar ac?...
Comenzando un poco a hablar del ?lbum y para aquellos que disfrutaron su anterior Auka Seniems Dievams, este "From Generation to Generation" (t?tulo en la lengua de Byron), Tiene algunos enganches de guitarra distintos... hay muchos temas de guitarras galopantes, como en el primer tema por ejemplo, que le dan un toque casi speed al asunto, y que luego se entrelaza con cambios m?s melodicos que antes, pero que conservan intacto ese sonido heroico, soundtrack de batallas y cabalgatas de caballerias b?rbaras... elementos tipicos del sonido y sentimiento de la banda. La voz tambien comienza a mostrar una mejorada capacidad de expresion, arrancando de la garganta del susodicho texturas m?s melodiosas por un lado y una brutalidad desconocida como, por ejemplo, en temas como Burtai y Audronasa.
Existen algunos temas, como el del titulo, que incorporan algunos ritmos m?s "atrevidos" y que podriamos catalogar como lo "nuevo" en Obtest, y aun asi el resultado es igual de efectivo al momento de evocar emociones. Otros que me han dejado m?s pegado como Audronasa y especialmente Devyniaragis son en la linea m?s cercana a Auka..., que con el plus de los ya comentados, mejorado sonido y produccion son una abierta invitacion a patear culos cristianos o politizados, levantar los punos al aire, levantar cuernos llenos de cerveza, beber y hacer el mejor esfuerzo por entonar estos temas cantados en su lengua nativa...
Creo que este es uno de esos casos en que una banda ha sabido aprovechar de manera eficiente y muy brillante los mejorados recursos para grabar y plasmar en estos nueve temas la fuerza de un metal unico, lleno de sentimientos de lucha y fuerza... ya no me sorprende que Obtest siginifique Resistencia, ya que creo que es justamente el sentimiento que la musica evoca... una lucha constante.
No creo que esta banda apele al gusto de los m?s "trululu metal" ni a los m?s brutales/gore o lo que sea... me tinca que los que gusten del Thrash o del Heavy m?s cl?sico e incluso el Black, van a enganchar m?s con Obtest. Busquen este ?lbum en el sello donde adem?s existe una version tipo libro tamano A5 con fotos y otras pomadas... adem?s pronto ser? editado en vinilo para los amantes del "oro negro".
PS. Haciendo un parentesis va este mensaje a las LADILLAS que me han escrito llorando por que mal califique su demo y que creen que le pongo buena nota a lo que suene como el pico y calcado a las weas de los ochentas: me lo pueden lamer los ignorantes culiaos!!!!!. Estoy seguro que conocen puras bandas trendys y en puro mp3!! Las buenas notas de mi parte se las llevan las bandas buenas, originales y de METAL, no las que claman originalidad, evolucion o "arte" mezclando "Metal" con Aggro o weas goticas!!!! [10 / 10]

 

CarpeSiem, MetalRage website [Netherlands]:

First of all, I'd like to give my deepest apologies to everyone who's involved in Obtest for putting this review online so late. Due to my RSI problems I was forced to postpone this one. My excuses.
Sometimes I wonder where they keep coming from, all those bands that I'm not yet familiar with. The best example for this year to me is Betzefer from Israel, but now I got in contact with a band called Obtest, a band from Lithuania. When reading the biography and learning that this is actually the third release, I feel somehow ashamed. On the other hand, I realize that the fact that I'm actually AM getting in contact with their music, could and should be an enrichment for me and everyone that cherishes metal music, especially because the lyrics are written in Lithuanian.
Let's make a position: is the fact that a band is singing in their native language a positive or a bad thing? Before reading further, I'd like you to think about this please.
I remember an interview with Rammstein where one of the members said that the lyrics from all those English bands didn't give a damn as long as they could become drunk to the music. Now pick a cd in your mind that is not in your own, or favorable language and think again.
This procedure, of thinking about what you've just listened to, is exactly the thing I had to do when I listened to the heavy metal Obtest for the first time, and the second time, and the third time and I must say that I'm still not convinced what the main cause of this reflection is. I'll come back to that later on.
The music is not that complicated to listen to, but have a lot of quality to offer. Especially the guitars are doing a great job, varying in a lot of heavy ways, without getting boring of annoying. The drums could be accentuated a little bit more in my opinion, because they're hard to hear. This could off course be a choice the band has mad, to put the guitar in front and the drums in the back, but I do miss the felling of sensing a whole band a little bit. The vocals are ok, not special but certainly decent. Not forcing, yet raw and powerful. On the other hand, I think a lot of singers could do better but that's not the issue in this case.
The cd has been composed pretty well. At first, I reckon some hardcore influences, but as the disk continues, the heavy metal, trash and even melodic influences are clear to notice. All of this leading into a decent piece of art as one would say.
But then I still have to come back to the language. Imagine this: you're an art lover and you'll find yourself at an art gallery. It's a little bit disorderly and dusty, but from one specific scene of art, a few very promising artist have come together and make this gallery. As you walk around in the building, giving every single piece a decent but no hart filling look, you start and stand still in front of this one piece of work. You stare, and stare, turn your head, take a step forward, backward but still don't know what to think but to think about this piece of art. And because you just can't stand the it that you, actually you can't come up with a thought; you decide to by it and take it home with you.
When you return home, you put the work in a specific place where you can have a closer look at it. And as the time passes by, you forget the work you've bought. But sometimes, sometimes you'll go back to the place where you've placed it to take a look at it and think about this strange, intangible and integrant piece of work.
Obtest, Lithuania, please come again soon and bring me more… [78 / 100]

 

ChAwech, Heathen Harvest website [USA]:

Obtest is not an unfamiliar name in the worlds of pagan (black) metal. With three full lengths and a few EP's released, mostly on Ledo Takas Records, this Lithuanian band has steadily but surely conquered the hearts of a lot of metal fans from around the world. Iš Kartos Į Kartą is their third full length, released in 2005, after Auka Seniems Dievams (2001) and Tukstantmetis (1997). April of this year will see the fourth full length from Obtest, released on their new record label Osmose Productions from France. This label has released well known acts, like Dark Tranquility, Immortal, Anorexia Nervosa, Impaled Nazarene, Marduk and more.
The nine songs on this album are all sung in the band's native language, which makes the lyrics basically impossible to understand. But it does not matter really. The music makes up for that perfectly well. Fast drums, clean (yet raw) vocals and distinct guitarplay are the base ingredients for this band. Nothing spectacular really, but the sound when all is added together is very enjoyable. I am not a fan of the standard black metal screams and growls, so these clean vocals are really appreciated. It's not as clean as bands like Heidevolk though, but a bit rawer. Not as raw as Eluveitie's vocalist though, but somewhere in between these two bands.
The music has an atmosphere of strong pride and, if necessary, hostility towards enemies. This is also shown in some of the translated tracktitles: From Generation To Generation, Victory, Forward!, Thunderlord. Productionwise, it's very well done. It sounds clean and clear, the vocals are well hearable above the raging guitars and pounding drums. It all fits very good.
I assume that most people into pagan metal and black metal already know this band. However, if you don't, you should definitely check this out if you're not hold back by an unfamiliar language. People who are into folk metal, but want something a bit heavier, should definitly check this band out. It's very accessible to them. The style is depicted by Ledo Takas Records as 'Heathen War Heavy Metal'.
With a total of 43 minutes, this album is very enjoyable. The frontcover shows a nice landscape in brown/black, only adding to the pagan atmosphere. It's just too bad that the promosleeve was printed a lot darker than the image you see above. On my promosleeve was only the road visible, and some of the lighter parts of the sky. Ah well. Keep this band, and label, in mind.

 

Chris Forbes, Metal-Core fanzine [USA]:

This was like a mix of some black metal with death metal and vikinig style metal. The music is raw sounding, which I didn't mind too much. The vocals are shouted, but are not in a generic way. The music is fast, but not in a grind way. I can't compare them with really anybody as the music sounds very original to these ears. For those looking for something extreme, yet original, here ya go.

 

Claudia "Persefone" Giusti, Heavy Metal.it website [Italy]:

Is Kartos I Karta e il nuovo, dirompente album che proviene dall'est, la Lituania per la precisione. E infatti siamo sempre in madria Ledo Takas, la piccola etichetta che vuol far conoscere la particolarissima scena musicale delle steppe dove nasce la Bora. Gli Obtest sono portabandiera di una musica epica, che coniuga con potenza la velocita del black metal con il vigore del viking nordico. La loro carta vincente risiede nella capacita di arrivare direttamente all'ascoltatore con strutture molto semplici e cariche di pathos. La titletrack o l'ottima Pergale sono esempi lampanti di questa abilita del gruppo di sintetizzare in poche note una gamma di emozioni molto estese, che rendono i brani inebrianti e tuttaltro che ingenui, pur nella loro chiarezza compositiva.
Tipico dei gruppi lituani l'attenzione che si trova anche in questa tappa per le proprie origini, unita ad un sentimento sincretista di attaccamento alla natura e al destino, che nella musica si riflette con pezzi dal sapore antico.
Rispetto ad altri gruppi dello stesso ambito qua non si hanno incursioni di strumenti tradizionali che rallentano le marce, tutto e affidato a pochi elementi, quelli classici che con pochi riff, puliti e agguerriti, danno mordente a tutti i brani, senza mai perdersi in cali di tono. Is Kartos I Karta e un album compatto, gustoso per gli amanti del pagan metal dalle venature heavy-metal, alla Skyforger, ma molto piu semplice e diretto. Il cantato e lasciato in lingua madre, scelta che si dimostra piu o meno efficace alla seduzione di questi brani, visto la durezza di alcune parole, talvolta troppo rigide anche per una musica epica.
In totale questo terzo album dei lituani sembra segnare il raggiungimento della loro maturita, arrivando esattamente alla meta prefissata: una musica genuina, istintiva e per questo in grado di far presa sull'animo di chi l'avvicini.. proprio come un antico canto di guerra, violento, terrificante e potente. [3 / 5]

 

Dallanan, HeavyMetal.hu webportal [Hungary]:

A litvin illetosegu Obtest bizony szemben halad a mai trendekkel, nepszeru metal stelusokkal es nem kevin egyik kereskedelmi ridioban sem szerepelni. Egyreszt olyannyira büszkek nemzetisegükre, hogy a dalaik a sajit nyelvükon szolalnak meg, poginy hitvallisuk pedig oseik tortenelmen, tradecioin, megmerettetesein keresztül a szovegekben jelennek meg. Misreszt karcos, de dallamos zenejük - szerencsere - mindig csak egy szukebb reteg szimira lesz kiemelkedo. Az Is Kartos I Karta (From Generation To Generation) a csapat harmadik nagylemeze. Ez a szim kevesnek tunhet, ha azt nezem, hogy megalakulisuk - olyan bandik hatisira, mint Enslaved, Mayhem, Darkthrone, Grand Belial's Key, no meg Iron Maiden, Manowar, Slayer, AC/DC, Death, Grave - 1992-re teheto. A hirom nagylemez mellett azonban szimos 7” EP, is kijott a kezük alol, sot szenpadi rutinnal is rendelkeznek, hisz koribban ket Europa turnet is lebonyoletottak - tobbek kozott- a Skyforger, Sear Bliss, Eminenz, Grief Of Emerald tirsasigiban.
Az egykori szovjet utodillamokbol jott zenekarok mindig felkeltik erdeklodesemet, megpedig nem veletlenül. Habir tobbnyire nem kavarjik fel a külonbozo zenei stelusok illovizet, im szinte kivetel nelkül rendkevül erdekes, ertekes es igenyes produkciot hallani ezen csapatoktol, de a lemezeket is, nevos, ezleses kontosbe bajtatjik. Mindezek alol az Obtest sem kivetel. E lemezen hallott zenejük engem leginkibb az egykori Mithotyn munkissigira emlekeztet, dallamaik, hangzisuk es energikus jitekuk miatt szimos pirhuzamot velek felfedezni az egykori sved kitunosegekkel. Aki az iment emletett csapattal szimpatizilt, annak az Obtest nemi kirpotlist jelenthet. Alapveto külonbseg - a direktebb dalszerkezeteken kevül - azonban az enekben keresheto. Horges, kirogis es himnikus dallamos enek vokil helyett nyers, harci üvoltes szeru, egyszeru dallamokat hozo eneket hallani. Egyebkent a csapat is poginy, harci heavy metal-nak aposztrofilja sajit dalaik stelusit, es ez teljes mertekben meg is illja a helyet. A dalokat hallva valoban felperzselt foldek, ütkozetek szenhelyei jelennek meg a hallgato szeme elott. Fontos elmondani, hogy a litvin sricok nem hasznilnak mis hangszert az alapveto metal zeneeszkozokon kevül, tehit billentyus hangszerek meg veletlenül sem bukkannak fel. Ennek ellenere minden dalban emlekezetes dallamok tunnek fel, amelyek vegig uraljik a teljes lemezt, de mindezt agy, hogy a kemenyseg, harciassig egy cseppet sem szorul a hitterbe. Ezzel pirhuzamosan a mir emletett sajit anyanyelvük hasznilata pedig igaz csemeget jelent a nyitottabb zenehallgatok szimira (a booklet angol nyelvu fordetist is tartalmaz).
Miutin a hasonszoru zenekarok, lemezek igen nagy kedveloje vagyok, egy az Is Kartos I Kartan arra kesztet, hogy felkutassam a csapat elozo ketto, Tükstantmetis es If Auka Seniems cemu korongjit is. [8 / 10]

 

Darklight, Klanggewitter website [Germany]:

Litauen an sich ist eigentlich jedem ein Begriff. Der relativ kleine Staat mit seinen ca. 3,9 Mio. Einwohnern kann mehr als vor sich hin existieren, er kann unter anderem gute Musiker hervorbringen, wie in diesem Fall mit der Band Obtest, die sich schon 1992 formierte.
Auch wenn es nach Viking Metal klingt – der Begriff wäre hier falsch, denn in Litauen sind Wikinger kein Teil der Geschichte, deshalb nennen die Musiker ihre Stilrichtung eher `Baltic Heathen Metal´. Auch wenn mir ihre beiden Vorgängeralben nicht bekannt sind, so kann ich doch mit gutem Gewissen behaupten, das sie einiges an Können an den Tag legen. „Is Kartos I Karta“ ist eingängig (auch wenn ich kein Wort verstehe, da das Album komplett in litauisch geschrieben ist) und gefällt ab dem ersten Track. Musikalisch zu vergleichen sind Obtest evtl. mit Ensiferum oder Mithotyn.
Geprägt von mächtigen Hymnen und treibenden Gitarren kann der Schlachtgesang vollends überzeugen, denn der Sänger klingt, ebenso wie der Rest der Band, zu keinem Zeitpunkt gelangweilt oder so als wäre es schlichte Routine, die hier präsentiert wird. Einige wird auch der Fakt gefallen, dass hier entgegen des momentanen Trends kein Keyboard verwendet wurde, alles klingt pur und wild. Der Gesang kommt meist klar durch die Boxen, aber trotzdem voller Energie, Rauheit und einer Markanz, die einfach gefällt, gefallen muss.
Von mir definitiv eine Kaufempfehlung an dieser Stelle.

 

Darksouldemon, Benzoworld website [Italy]:

Un album veramente impressionante questo ‘Iš Kartos I Karta’ creato dalla malvagita degli Obtest, direttamente dalla Lituania. La prima cosa che salta all’occhio e l’artwork, in particolare la copertina con questa distesa infinita ed una strada che si staglia verso l’infinito sotto un cielo nuvoloso ed una luce monocromatica che si staglia ovunque. Ottima la produzione, ottimo il sound ed una discreta tecnica da parte di ogni componente della band: chitarristi e bassista molto validi e capaci di sopportare lunghi assoli, un batterista fantasioso ed esperto, in particolare, nell’utilizzo della doppia cassa, ed un cantante inusuale: pochi, se non quasi mancanti, gli scream che in un gruppo black metal non dovrebbero mancare, ma una voce pulita che mi ricorda piu band depressive black. Melodie fulminanti ed orecchiabili quelle create dall’intreccio delle due chitarre in pezzi come ‘Suminti Juodi Takai’ o ‘Pergale’. Interessanti alcuni passaggi presenti in vari pezzi del disco che ricordano l’heavy metal delle origini e alcune sonorita che assocerei al folk. Mi sento di definire questo album come il loro miglior prodotto, con la certezza che si possa comunque fare qualcosa di meglio a livello di creativita e sperimentazione. Un consiglio? Comprate questo disco, non ve ne pentirete; in particolare se siete collezionisti e amanti del metal straniero: questo album ha una tiratura di sole 1000 copie e di 499 per l’lp! Rimediarlo non sara facile, buona fortuna! [75 / 100]

 

Daxx, Gruodas website [Lithuania]:

Prieš akis ir ausis – šviežiausias karingųjų Obtest darbas „Iš Kartos Į Kartą“. Turiu prisipažinti, kad niekada nebuvau pernelyg didelis Obtest gerbėjas, tačiau šis albumas turi kažką tokio, kas mane „užkabino“. Jau nuo pačių pirmųjų rifų darosi aišku, kad melodingumo, ir taip jau nesvetimo Obtest kūrybai, šiame albume yra dar daugiau. Tiesa, daugelis tiek vokalinių tiek ir gitarinių melodijų yra gana primityvios. Be to, nemažai muzikinių temų kartojasi per daug kartų arba yra tęsiamos per ilgai. Vien dėl to albumas turi nemažą potencialą greitai atsibosti. Kita vertus, būtent tame „primityvume“ daugelis įžvelgia stipriąją grupės pusę.
Visas albumas yra daugmaž vienodas, t.y. jame nėra kūrinių, kurie gerąja arba blogąja prasme išsiskirtų iš kitų. Ko gero labiausiai vertas dėmesio kūrinys – „Pirmyn!“, paperkantis ganėtinai sudėtinga priedainio ritmika, nebūdinga kitoms albumo dainoms. Labiausiai melodingumu dvelkiantys kūriniai – „Burtai“ ir titulinis „Iš Kartos Į Kartą“. Deja, klausant šių dviejų dainų susidaro įspūdis, kad posmelio muzikiniai „kvadratai“ buvo specialiai ištempti iki nestandartinio skaičiaus vien tam, kad sutilptų tekstas. Teigiama albumo savybė – tikrai neblogas skambesys, labai retai pasitaikantis Lietuvos sunkiosios muzikos pasaulyje. Tačiau kad ir koks neblogas prodiusavimas bebūtų, jam trūksta kažkokio natūralumo ir „gyvumo“. Neigiama albumo pusė – itin nenatūraliai/negyvai skambantys mušamieji. Nors ir teigiama, kad tai albumas, įrašytas gyvais būgnais, drįsčiau tuo suabejoti. Netgi programuoti Urskumug mušamieji skamba gerokai „gyviau“. In Summa: „Iš Kartos Į Kartą“ tikrai vertas dėmesio darbas, nedarantis gėdos Lietuvos metalo scenai. [65 / 100]

 

Deimon, Stormbringer heavy zine [Austria]:

Bei OBTEST handelt es sich um eine weitere Band auf dem Label Ledo Takas, diesmal aus Litauen. Im Gegensatz zu deren Kollegen URSKUMUG sind sämtliche Lyrics in der Heimatsprache verfasst – jetzt wissen wir endlich, was „Stormbringer“ auf Litauisch heißt! Sollten wir also mal eine Balkan-Aussenstelle haben, dürfte die Website höchstwahrscheinlich „www.audronasa.lt“ heißen, gnähähähä! Außerdem klingt das Ganze weit fröhlicher und auch hymnischer als letztgenannte Band, wird hier doch eher selten geblastet, sondern man konzentriert sich auf teilweise schnelle, meist jedoch epische Parts, die in der Sprache ziemlich fett herüberkommen.
Textlich behandelt die Band eine lange Reise aus der Vergangenheit und das Lernen aus selbiger, den Sinn des Lebens, die Naturverbundenheit, das Leben und Sterben, Kriege und Schlachten, der Weg nach vorne, ohne das Hinterlassene zu vergessen. Ihr seht schon, die Band hat sich nicht nur musikalisch viel Mühe gegeben.
Beim Anhören der Songs möchte man fömlich das (imaginäre) Schwert in die Höhe strecken und zum Angriff blasen – laut Labelinfo spielt die Band ja „Heathen War Heavy Metal“ – und den Herren gelingt es mühelos, ein durchgehend hohes Niveau zu halten. Dabei singt der Mann am Mirko seine Texte mit einer Inbrunst auf der CD, dass einem der kalte Schauer über den rücken wandert – zwar klingt die Aussprache für mich Westeuropäer schon irgendwie komisch, aber genau das ist ein weiteres originelles Indiz für diese Band.
Wie schon bei URSKUMUG kann ich auch hier eine uneingeschränkte Empfehlung aussprechen – Leute mit open minded Gesinnung sollten ein Ohr (oder zwei) riskieren! [4 / 5]

 

Demimortus, Allmetal website [Czechia]:

Tohle album mne docela prekvapilo. At už v pozitivnim či negativnim smyslu slova, ale zkratka prekvapilo. Tvorbu OBTEST nemam nejak zvlašt dobre zmapovanou a moje seznameni se s touhle bandou probehlo diky debutnimu albu z roku 1997 „Tukstantmetis“. Tahle deska se mi dodnes libi už tim, že z ni čiši ona zvlaštni atmosfera, ktera zdobi nejednu postsovetskou kapelu. V jejich osobite pojatem black metalu šlo znat onen puvod i hudebne a v male mire se mihl take nejaky ten heavy metalovy prvek v podobe sola či klasicke melodie. To vše namichano ve velice osobitou a vyživnou temnotu.
Ubehl nejaky ten rok (pravda skoro desetileti:) a je tu treti velke album OBTEST, ktere k memu nemalemu prekvapeni ma s black metalem malo, co do čineni. Skrehot vystridal jakysi zpevorev, rozšumeny zvuk je ten tam a misto nej kouzli kytary jednu kudrlinku za druhou, občas se bici rozjedou až do tempa šiciho stroje, ale stale podporovane vyraznymi melodiemi a vetšinou je dosti citit vliv stare heavy metalove školy. Rozhodne od tohoto alba nečekejte nejakou temnotu a podobne legracky. Naopak se na vas celou dobu bude valit energicka metalova hudba se zapamatovatelnymi melodiemi, nechybi ani nejake ty vyrazne refreny atd. Taky soliček je tu vic než dost  Bohatyrsky vokal umocnuje energii songu a myslim, že je tenhle material šity na miru živym vystoupenim. Na cedu z meho pohledu preci jen neco chybi. Možna se mi styska po one osobitosti z dob debutu. Nechci aby to vyznelo jako dalši staromilecke skuhrani, jak dnes stoji všechno za hovno a ty stare desky jsou vždycky lepši atd:). Jenže at delam co delam, nemužu v tehle nahravce najit nic vic, než „jen“ dalši dobre melodicke metalove album. Pro nekoho dost, pro nekoho malo. Docela by mne zajimal nazor one ortodoxnejši časti blekotaveho publika. Sam jsem dosti tolerantni a to že nekoho nebavi tvorit stale to same chapu. Leč v pripade OBTEST preci jen prište sahnu radeji po onom jejich debutu.
Aby si nekdo nevyložil špatne hodnoceni. Tahle recenze možna vyzniva negativneji, než budu hodnotit. Je to dano tim, že jsem od OBTEST proste čekal neco jineho a pro mne hodnotnejšiho. Na druhou stranu však i presto, že „Iš Kartos I Karta“ neni zrovna moje krev, nejedna se o album špatne a tak ho ani zle hodnotit nemužu. Proste jak už jsem rekl. Jedna se o kvalitni metalove album. Pro mne v tuhle chvili nic vic a nic min.... [4 / 6]

 

DiEvA, Giljotina website [Lithuania]:

Albumo pavadinimas, pačios grupės žodžiais, byloja apie protėvių vertybių perėmimą ir jų perdavimą ateinančioms kartoms. Iškalbingi kūrinių pavadinimai: šlovinamas mitinis gyvūnas "Devyniaragis", giesmė Perkūnui "Griausmavaldys"; "Burtai" apdainuoja senį žynį, "Pirmyn!"- kovinės retorikos prisotinta daina apie kovoj kritusius, na ir t.t. Taigi, žvelgiant į poetinę pusę, OBTEST, kaip ir albume "Auka seniems dievams", tvirtai laikosi pagoniškosios karinės tematikos.
Albumo dizainas - super, jis stilistiškai darniai susisieja su albumo turiniu. Žodis "Super" galimas taikyti ir šio darbo garso kokybei.
Muzikinė - kūrybinė albumo pusė mane kiek nuvylė. Pirmi penki kūriniai pernelyg vienodi, net titulinis "Iš Kartos Į Kartą" pritrūkęs dvasios. Ugnelė akyse man įsižiebia tik išgirdus "Audronašą" - tai tikrai intensyvus ir veržlus kūrinys, stiprus tiek muzikine, tiek poetine prasmėmis, rasta pusiausvyra tarp melodingumo ir intensyvios ritmikos. Mano ausimis, tai stipriausia giesmė. Dėmesio vertas ir dinamiškas ir dramatiškas "Pirmyn". Beje, labai dailiai skamba gitaros finaliniame "Suminti juodi takai".
Apžvalginiame straipsnyje dabartinė grupės muzika įvardijama "pagonišku karo heavy metalu". Aš "už" pirmąją, bet "prieš" antrąją frazės pusę. Ant heavy metal kurpalio įtaikytų nebent epiškas "Devyniaragis". Man OBTEST tebelieka blackened pagan. Didelis pliusas už tikrai individualų skambesį, jį, drauge su specifiniu vokalu, atpažins senieji grupės gerbėjai ir įsimins nauji klausytojai.
Susumavus rezultatus teigiu, kad produktas prastesnis, nei tikėjausi. OBTEST lieka ištikimi savajai stilistikai, bet tiek tekstai, tiek melodijos alsta nuo patoso ir monotonijos. Vis dėlto jie išlieka vienais stipresnių šiandienės pagoniškojo metalo padangės paukščiais.

[translation]
The title of the album points to the continuity of the values of our ancestry to the oncoming generations. Song titles are eloquent enough: a praise of the mythological nine horned deer „Devyniaragis“, a hymn for the Thunderer „Thunderlord“; „Spells!” is a chant of an old oracle, „Forward!“ – a hymn for those who haven‘t left the battlefields alive, and so on. Thus OBTEST stick to the pagan battle themes, explored also in their album „Auka Seniems Dievams“.
The design of the album deserves to be called „Super“, as it harmonizes stylistically with the content. The same word goes also for the quality of the production.
However the musical matter made me a bit disappointed. The pieces from first till fifth are too alike, even the titular “Iš Kartos Į Kartą“ (“From Generation to Generation”) lacks the spirit. Only the intense and thrusting “Stormbringer” lightens my day, as it is a good song both musically and poetically, with the right balance of melody and intense rhythms. It's the favorite of the album to my ear. Noteworthy also dynamic and dramatic “Forward!”. By the way, did I mention the beautiful guitar parts on the final track “Treaded Black Paths” yet?
OBTEST music was called “pagan battle heavy metal” in the promotional review. I'd agree only with the first part of the statement. Only “Devyniaragis” might be more or less agnate to heavy metal. For me OBTEST stays blackened pagan. And here's a plus for the strongly individual sound the band has, which is, together with quite specific vocals, recognizable by the old band fans and memorable for a new listener.
All in all I must state that this was less than I expected. OBTEST keep to their good old path, yet the text and the melody are suffocating under the pathos and monotony. Still, they stay amongst the strongest in the pagan metal scene.

 

Diovis, Mroczna Strefa website [Poland]:

Litewska scena metalowa, mimo ze o wiele mniejsza niz polska, szwedzka czy finska, miala zawsze swoja indywidualna specyfike. Obserwuje ja od kilku lat i szkoda sie stala, ze nadal pozostaje malo znana w swiadomosci polskich fanow. Takie zespoly jak DISSIMULATION czy OBTEST oferuja w koncu kawal dobrej muzy i od lat z duma dzierza sztandar Litwy, jesli juz uzyje takiej przenosni. Cztery lata minely od ostatniego pelnograja OBTEST pt. "Auka Seniems Dievams", choc grupa nie proznowala i w podziemiu pojawilo sie kilka roznych wydawnictw z ich logo (picture 7" EP, video-CD). Zmierzch lata 2005 roku przyniosl najnowsza, trzecia pelno wymiarowa produkcje tego bandu i ponownie mozna smialo napisac, ze muzycy sie postarali. Znakiem firmowym OBTEST jest epickie, melodyjne, a przy tym dosc agresywne granie. Kazdy z kawalkow nadaje sie do przytupu, moze towarzyszyc ostro zakrapianej imprezie i nie nudzi sie, pomimo, ze ktos stwierdzi, iz poszczegolne utwory nie roznia sie wiele od siebie. Fakt, od poczatku do konca Litwini nie bawia sie w ozdabianie ich zbednymi ekscesami muzycznymi, jada rowno do przodu, nie uzywaja klawiszy i zenskich wokali. Wystarcza do tego ciekawy pomysl na melodie, chwytliwe refreny, "Iron'owskie" solowki i mocny wokal wyspiewujacy teksty w ojczystym jezyku. Ci, ktorym brakuje podobnie grajacego przed laty MITHOTYN beda wpieklowzieci, ale to tylko takie drobne naprowadzenie dla tych, ktorzy nie mieli do tej pory okazji poznac OBTEST. Bo tak naprawde trudno porownywac muze tego zespolu do jakiegokolwiek innego. Czerpiac z klasykow metalu nie unikaja ognistych, blackmetalowych riffow, nawiazuja do tradycyjnego heavy-grania, ktos odnajdzie tez na tym krazku folkowa nute lub drobne nawiazania do thrash metalu. Nie spodziewajcie sie jednak komercyjnego belkotu a la CHILDREN OF BODOM czy IN FLAMES. To nie ta liga, to nie ta klasa... Oczywiscie z korzyscia dla litewskich war heavymetalowcow! [8 / 10]

 

Dominik Nehamod, Metal.pl website [Poland]:

Iš Kartos Į Kartą jest moim pierwszym kontaktem z litewskim zespolem Obtest. Przyznam, ze bardzo spodobala mi sie okladka a i po wlozeniu plyty do odtwarzacza zostalem mile zaskoczony. Otoz ten material to nic innego jak ciekawie i porywajaco zagrany pagan metal. Dzieki lirykom spiewanym w ojczystym jezyku muzyka Obtest zyskuje specyficzny "słowianski" klimat.
Galopujace rytmy przywodza na mysl biegnacych wojownikow. Podniosla atmosfera sprawia, ze czujemy przyplyw adrenaliny a nasza wyobraznia zabiera nas do krainy gdzie czlowiek uginal kolana przed potega natury a wojownik byl istota dla ktorej rozlew krwi byl codziennoscia. Te dzikie ale zarazem piekne czasy za sprawa muzyki Obtest sa wrecz na wyciagniecie reki. Wystarczy tylko zamknac oczy i dac sie porwac muzyce. Nie ma sensu podawac jakichkolwiek przykladow, tak sie bowiem sklada, ze na tej plycie kazda kompozycja trzyma ten sam wysoki poziom, co sprawia, ze tego krazka slucha sie z nieslabnacym zainteresowaniem. Brakuje mi tu jednak jakiegos spokojniejszego utworu, ktory moglby wprowadzic troche odpoczynku, coz wojownik ze mnie zaden i niestety kondycja nie pozwala na ciagla walke;)
Jesli lubicie naprawde ambitny "poganski" (te dwa terminy nie zawsze sie wykluczaja) metal nie zostaje mi nic innego jak zaproszenie Was do przesluchania Iš Kartos Į Kartą. Gwarantuje, ze nie bedziecie zalowac.

 

Dunkelheit, SL Ohtulehes newspaper / Hard Rock Club website [Estonia]:

Muuhulgas näiteks Loitsu albumi "Vere kutse kohustab" välja andnud Ledo Takas Records on ilmutanud ka selle üheksaloolise Leedu pagan black metalit sisaldava plaadi. Nagu näitab albumi pealkiri "Polvkonnast polvkonnani", tugineb Obtesti sõnum eeskätt mälestustele ajaloost ja esivanematest ning rohutab rahvusliku mütoloogia järjepidevust. Paralleele voiks tommata nii monegi Eesti bändiga, mis pole ka mingi ime kuna Obtesti juured on sealsamas 1990ndate alguse Balti pagan black metali skenes. Sama ootuspärane on Obtesti muusikaline areng algusaegade kurja black metali juurest heavy/thrash soundi suunas, millise suuna tunduvad olevat valinud paljud sama generatsiooni bändid. Obtest on neist kindlasti üks silmapaistvamaid; uusim album on nii läbimoeldud produktsiooni kui muusikakirjutamise kvaliteedi poolest Balti keskmisest peajagu üle. Vihast pläkki oodata ei tasu, pigem atmosfäärilisemat motisklemist päikesepaistel. Sobib Eesti hevimeestele hästi lohutuseks Manatarga järgmist albumit oodates. [4 / 5]

 

Einar Haugen, Heavy Metal.no website [Norway]:

I promoskrivet beskrives Obtest (OB test?) som Heathen War Heavymetal. Akkurat hvor hedensk og krigersk dette bandet virkelig er, er det vanskelig å spore - all vokal går nemlig på mormålet, litauisk.
Musikken er en slags fyldig heavymetal med mye gitarskapt melodi og gode ideer som lett kunne vært mye, myyye bedre hadde de tuppet den nåværende vokalisten i ræva. Temaene er ganske lystige og av og til litt "ompa ompa" preget, men uten at de kvalifiserer til noen Nobelpris i metalprestasjoner av den grunn.
Skiva holder en viss standard uten at vokalen hjelper til på noe som helst vis. Vokalen er som et rusk på øyet som ligger å irriterer hele tiden. Den er så lite kraftfull, kjedelig og rett og slett så stygg at man blir bare forbanna. Den er forholdsvis ren med en ørliten vreng og mangler fullstendig engasjement. Fyren kan rett og slett ikke å synge!
Tiden da baltiske produkter var synonymt med dårlig kvalitet har sakte men sikkert svunnet hen. Generation to Generation er meget godt produsert og de strekkene der vokalen er fraværende har faktisk ganske god underholdningsverdi. Bandet har to aktive gitarister som gjør skiva verdt å høre på så lenge vokalisten klarer å holde kjeft, noe som dessverre skjer alt for sjelden. Trommene er tighte, men litt lite varierte. Det går stort sett i jevne og doble basstrommer med et brekk i ny og ne. Her kunne de godt vært litt mer oppfinnsomme.
Obtest dras ned i undergrunnen ene og alene av vokalisten. Totalt ødeleggende for hele skiva. Hør bare så godt det høres ut når vokalen er fraværende på Stormbringer. Det er jo direkte flott! [3 / 10]

 

Elimar Oliveira, Thundergod webzine [Brazil]:

Entre demos, tapes, 7” ep's, Iš Kartos I Karta é o décimo quinto material lancado pela banda Obtest, da Lituania. A banda iniciou sua carreira em 1992 com influencias de bandas de Black Metal Escandinavas Enslaved, Grand Belial's Key, Mayhem, Darkthrone, como também outras bandas classicas Iron Maiden, Manowar, Slayer, AC/DC, Death, Grave. O que se ouve nesse album é exatamente musicas com muitos riffs, levada de Heavy Metal com passagens agressivas, como se tivesse uma raiz no Black Metal com toques de Heavy Metal, explicando as influencias da banda. O album é composto por nove sons "Paskutine Akimirka", "Devyniaragis", "Iš Kartos I Karta", "Pergale", "Griausmavaldys", "Audronaša", "Burtai", "Pirmyn!" e "Suminti Juodi Takai". Ja sacaram que as musicas sao no idioma da Lituania, mas a banda é muito boa, vale a pena conferir, mesmo sem entender muito o querem expressar em suas letras mas da pra ser uma nocao, o Heavy Metal tem essa virtude, ultrapassar as fronteiras linguisticas levando seu sentimento ao entendimento de qualquer ouvinte seja la qual for o idioma!

 

Eller, Amboss webmagazine [Germany]:

Mit Obtest kommt eine sehr interessante Band aus Litauen daher, dem Norden und Westen das Fürchten zu lehren, zumindest was kriegerischen, heidnischen Metal betrifft. Da die Litauer mit den Wikingern nicht viel am Hut haben, nennen sie ihre Mucke auch gerne "Baltic Heathen Metal", wobei sie dazu auch die Texte schön in ihrere Heimatsprache in die Welt schicken. Mit schnellen, treibenden und sehr melodischen Songs geben Obtest richtig Gas und wissen auf Anhieb mit ihrer Mischung aus Mithotyn, Finntroll, Enslaved und Riger zu gefallen. Mit folkigen Einflüssen sowie hymnischen und epischen Passagen wird das Album aus der grauen Masse hervorgehoben. Im hinteren Teil des Albums könnte dann zwar noch etwas mehr Abwechslung aufkommen, aber trotzdem ist "Is Kartos I Karta" (von Generation zu Generation) ein Album, dass man sich immer wieder gerne anhört. Geheimtipp!

 

Eric, Franang magazine [France]:

Excepted for their '02 7EP I've never experienced Obtest before, and I've to admit this band really kicks the ass if you're looking for Pagan stuff. The 9 tracks of this release bring you to the land of ancient time, and time of swords and heathen goddess. The tunes convey speed energy of Heavy Metal melted with a nearly clear vocal that really reminds me of Absurd new material. They've this rock and roll side in their music which really caught my attention such as in the 2nd song, as their tunes is far from being like Falkenbach for instance'. Indeed, they're much more into the Metal landscape with pagan topics. The Lithuanian lyrics perfectly fit to their music, and gives an original touch to this band. They also use these short heavy lead guitar here and there in tunes as chorus. Definitely a worth album to get: Up The Heathen Warriors!

 

Eric Filante, Pivotal Rage website [USA]:

Obtest is absolutely the only metal band I've ever heard that comes from Lithuania. But, as the old saying goes, there's a first time for just about everything. Pagan black metallers Obtest apparently used to be a brutal death metal band, but then switched to black metal in 1993. But now, it's 2005, and the boys are here present their third full-length album, Is Kartos I Karta via Ledo Takas Records. If I were to describe their style if black metal, I'd say it's pretty much a mix of Fintroll without the polka meets old school Mayhem and Darkthrone a la Transilvanian Hunger. The music is both catchy and brutal, as heard on “From Generation to Generation” and “Stormbringer”. You could hear stuff that sounds like the slightly influenced punk-black metallers Impaled Nazarene to stuff like early Bathory. I have to admit; although the songs are sung in Lithuanian, it still doesn't affect the fact this record has nice variations of the chaotic and melodic side of black metal. If you like Fintroll, then I especially recommend this because again, it's very similar with the exception of the polka influence. The vocals might throw you off at first, as they are sung in a style that resembles more of the punk style then the high-pitched screams of fry you hear from regular black metal bands. But I think if you can get past them and listen to the music, you're in for a nice treat. I will admit, although I am a fan of Fintroll, I usually can't listen to a record of theirs in full, and the same applies to Obtest, hence the three instead of the four. It's nice in small doses, but after about 15-20 minutes I start to lose interest fast. But this record should be added to my play list every now and then, and maybe it will become a part of yours more frequently. [3 / 5]

 

Erik Thomas, Metal Review website [USA]:

The last Obtest album I heard, Tukstantmetis (1997), was one of the most truly authentic and primally pagan black/Viking metal releases I had heard at the time. I missed this Lithuanian outfit's second offering Auka Seniems Dievams (2001), but was gleefully happy to drop my metalcore/deathcore obsession to review their third album, and while I really enjoyed Iš Kartos I Karta , I'll admit, I'm bit disappointed.
It seems Obtest has succumbed to the cleaner, more polished and melodic sounds of the black/power metal-ish Finnish scene (Ensiferum, Wintersun, Turisas, Cadacross, Norther), not in itself a ‘bad' thing, but considering the band's debut effort, Iš Kartos I Karta sounds a bit more cookie cutter and less unique. Granted, the album isn't drenched in synths but cleaner vocals, a consistent high octane, galloping pace, solos, less folky/ethnic interludes and segues, tangible song structures all point towards a more viable release, but that being said, it is still enjoyable as Obtest still belt out some killer riffs.
Opener “Paskutine Akimirka” right off the bat, is a superb opening salvo, I mean a real eye opening killer track of majestic riffage, epic solos and rousing vocals. But the bar is set early for Obtest to try and match and only seem to do so by repetition. “Devyniaragis” follows the exact template of the opener while the title track is the first song to show some mid paced restraint. The super uplifting gait of “Pergale” is finger cramping, but starts to show the slightly repetitious if enjoyable pace of Obtest 's new found energy. “Griausmavaldys” kind of cements this feeling, while “Audronaša” seems to inject a slight hint of the band's prior black metal ferocity before the track's grandiose finale. “Burtai” kind of epitomizes the band's melodic Finnish gallop, losing a bit of steam as the band comes up with different variations of the same sort of pace. “Pirmyn!” is a more vitriolic, pagan sounding track and “Suminti Juodi Takai”'s slower, more menacing atmosphere works to break up the frivolity, showing that Obtest can still bare their teeth despite their slight stylistic change.
I really miss the ethnic interludes that littered Tukstantmetis, but I can't fault Obtest for trying to expand their sound and mature, even if at the expense of musically pagan (the imagery and lyrics are still there) creativity as Iš Kartos I Karta is still a fine record in its own right, and certainly should open up this fine band to a wider audience.
Another solid release from Ledo Takas... [production 5,5 / 6, songwriting 4,5 / 6, musicianship 4,5 / 6]

 

Even Knudsen, The Streets webzine [Norway]:

Obtest kommer fra Litauen og har eksistert siden 1992. Etter hva jeg har forstått er 'Is Kartos I Karta' bandets fjerde fullengder. Tittelen betyr for øvrig noe sånt som 'Fra generasjon til generasjon' (…nei, jeg har ikke studert Litauisk på skolen). Pagan metal er vel en noenlunde dekkende beskrivelse av Obtest's musikk. Bandet har latt seg inspirere av band som Enslaved Mayhem og Darkthrone, men det er samtidig like mye tradisjonell metal i stilen deres. Jeg hører også en del fellestrekk med band som for eksempel Finntroll og Thyrfing. En lett blanding av flere stilarter med andre ord. Ankepunktet mitt i forhold til Obtest er at låtene har en tendens til å bli litt vel like, men rent bortsett fra det er det absolutt bra saker som presenteres her. God produksjon har de også fått til. Litt mer variasjon neste gang så kan dette bli riktig så bra. [6 / 10]

[translation]
Obtest are based in Lithuania and the band have existed since 1992. As far as I know ‘Is kartos I Karta' is their fourth full length album. The title means something like ‘From generation to generation'….(no, I did not study Lithuanian at school). Pagan metal might be a suitable description of Obtest's music. They have been inspired by bands such as Enslaved, Mayhem and Darkthrone, but at the same time there's a lot of traditional metal in their style as well. I also hear elements from bands like Finntroll and Thyrfing. A light mixture of different styles in other words. On the negative side the songs material lacks a bit of variation, but apart from that it doesn't sound bad at all. The production is quite good as well. Adding a bit more variation to the song material can make this an interesting band in the future. [6 / 10]

 

Fafnir, Terrorverlag website [Germany]:

Es ist immer wieder interessant, wenn Neuigkeiten aus Litauen eintreffen. Man nennt seinen Stil "Heathen War Metal", der aber eigentlich besser mit Pagan Metal zu beschreiben ist. So hört man hier deutlich Einflüsse von ENSLAVED, MITHOTYN und für Deutschland auch mal DIE APO. REITER heraus.
Die Songs preschen erstmal ordentlich thrashig bzw. blackig voran, werden aber mit netten Leads, die sonst typisch für finnische Breitengrade sind, aufgelockert. Dazu passend sind die Vocals zwar energisch und roh, aber dabei sehr melodisch und auch etwas im Humpaa/ Mittelalter-Stil angelegt. Besonders interessant klingt der Gesang, da OBTEST die Lyrics in ihrer Muttersprache verfasst haben. Dabei versteht man zwar kein Wort, und ich werde mich sicherlich hüten an dieser Stelle Songtitel aufzuführen, aber dennoch passt die Sprache wirklich gut zum Gesangsstil und generell zu der Mucke. Da merkt schon, dass die skandinavischen Freunde nicht so weit entfernt sind. Da die Songs zum Großteil gleich aufgebaut sind und sich daher schon etwas ähneln, wird die Scheiblette leider auf Dauer leicht eintönig. So gibt es keinen wirklichen Ausreißer bzw. eine Art Hit oder Aushängeschild und auch keine (Halb-)Ballade. Alle Titel preschen in gleicher Manier nach vorne.
Schade auch, dass der Sound (wohl auch durch die Herkunft bedingt) nicht der knalligste ist. Denn dieses Genre braucht auch einen entsprechend fetten Klang, um richtig abzugehen. Aber sonst ist "Is Kartos..." ein recht ordentliches Album geworden, welches sicherlich einige Pagan Metal-Fans von ENSLAVED über ENSIFERUM bis hin zu den APOKALYPTISCHEN REITERn ansprechen dürfte. Auch wenn die großen Highlights fehlen.

 

Falk, Silentium Noctis webzine [Germany]:

Ein solches Album hätte ich der Band aus Litauen ehrlich gesagt nicht zugetraut. Das Debüt hatte ich mal eine Weile in meinem Besitz, verkaufte dies jedoch recht schnell mangels Begeisterung. Mit „Is Kartos I Karta“ liegt mittlerweile das 3. Werk von OBTEST vor, welches es wirklich in sich hat. Die Musiker vereinen treibende Elemente des klassischen Heavy Metal (Gitarrenarbeit) mit den epischen Ausmaßen des Pagan Metal (vor allem in Bezug auf den Gesang, der in der Landessprache vorgetragen wird) und schaffen eine Symbiose, die von Beginn an im Ohr hängen bleibt. Eine Erweiterung des Sounds auf das Keyboard findet erfreulicherweise nicht statt, denn so lassen sich die Musiker nicht mit den Genrekollegen von ENSIFERUM oder MENHIR in einen Topf werfen. Die Eigenständigkeit bleibt bis zum Ende bewahrt, vielleicht auch, weil OBTEST das Exotenimage mehr anhaftet, als den anderen Bands von Ledo Takas. [9 / 10]

 

Fjordi, Tartarean Desire website [Sweden]:

Again, Obtest was that type of band I read somewhere or I heard talking about but I still hadn´t checked their music. Now the promo of their latest material got into my room and just a few seconds passed until I put the CD on the stereo, first song “Paskutinė Akimirka” grabbed my ears and I couldn´t help screaming “aaaaaaaaaaaaaaarghh!” raising my fist. Immense, exciting music! Lithuanian metallic entrepreneur Tadas Kazlauskas is doing things quite well promoting killer bands from the Baltic countries through his label Ledo Takas. These nations are surprising me every now and then with the quality of their bands, productions and feeling featured in the music. And as you may suppose from my review intro, Obtest is a perfect example. They come from Lithuania, and “Iš Kartos Į Kartą“ (“From Generation To Generation”) is their third full-length album. Obtest play crushing pagan heavy metal the way just a few bands are able to do. Fury and melody collide in a grandiose liaison and give heavy metal a different approach than traditional high pitched vocals and self indulgent solos. This is fierce, fast powerful music sometimes next of kin to black metal stances; a calling of war, ruthless raw metal. No time for beauty happy passages or slow balladesque tunes of melancholy, just a straight forward sonic attack portraying plenty of catchy songs.
Overwhelming melodies of tracks like the opening track “Paskutinė Akimirka”, “Pergalė” or “Audronaša”, to name a few, are simply stunning and awesome. The aggressive rough vocals join the guitars in creating the basic melodic body, and this way they pull the heads out of their necks successfully with their groovy lines. Thunderous unrelenting drumming and a thick bass guitar force the listener to feel the barbaric hymns Obtest sing and play, for the lyrics are strongly influenced by their traditions and ancestors. This act captures perfectly the spirit of the past and the spirit of pagan metal as well. An astounding album. Too bad it arrived late for my pick of 2005 favourites... [9 / 10]

 

Florian Rachieru, Florian Promotion website [Romania]:

Obtest is a folk black metal band from Vilnius, Lithuania. They started in 1992 as a brutal death metal act, but the style changed into black metal. All of their lyrics are about old Lithuanian times, wars, legends, myths and the old Lithuanian religion. It is always sung in Lithuanian, although few songs on their demo releases are in english! This new album is called very strange for my eyes, "Iš Kartos I Karta" and deserves the attention of Iron Maiden or Manowar fans!

 

Franz Steinhuber, Scream webmagazine [Germany]:

Dem litauischen Label LEDO TAKAS RECORDS ist es zu verdanken, dass Resteuropa seit geraumer Zeit ebenfalls in den Genuß von wirklich coolen – in ihren baltischen Heimatländern wohlbekannten – Truppen aus dem Hart&Heftig-Sektor kommt. OBTEST etwa befruchten die eigene Szene schon über eine Dekade äusserst erfolgreich, IS KARTOS I KARTA („From Generation To Generation“) sollte die Band aber nun auch in hiesigen Stereoanlagen etablieren.
Der dunkle, überaus melodische Heathen/Pagan-Metal der 4 Litauer ist nämlich nicht nur ein gefundenes Fressen für die depressive – sich gerne in drückender Schwermut verlierende – Primordial-Fraktion (der Titeltrack), sondern kann auch mit heroischer Wikinger-Attitüde (TREADED BLACK PATHS) oder einfach megageilem Scandinavia-Oldschool-Riffing (SPELLS) überzeugen und selbst die für unsere Ohren recht „exotisch“ anmutenden Lyrics in Muttersprache sind als weiterer Positiv-Faktor zu verbuchen. Wer also gerne zum Battle-Metal von Turisas mit einem Trinkhorn voller Met um's Lagerfeuer tanzt oder bei den Klängen Skyforger's sofort das Bedürfnis hat, schwerbewaffnet eine Runde durch den Schützengraben zu joggen – das hier ist Euer Ding! [4,5 / 6]

 

Froster, Froster webzine [Ukraine]:

From generation to generation (that’s the title this album has, translated)... Old formation from Vilnius, existing since 1992, quite surprised and enthused with their album. I even have started to pity that I haven’t taken the route to Kharkiv last year, to witness them live with my own two eyes. Label positions the band as heathen war heavy metal, I would rather be keen to nick it folkloric black metal. Or simply folkloric metal. Well, I guess it’s not that much important. Musically closest comrades to these Lithuanians would seemingly be Falconer, Mithotyn and Skyforger. Album spins out in one breath, tempo of songs is rather high, Lithuanian language sticks to music surprisingly fittingly. To its end, the album gets monotonous and linear. But nevertheless I tend to evaluate this release only as positive and deserving all kind of praise. As much original as it is interesting. "Iš Kartos Į Kartą" will doublessly adorn your collection. To say the truth I am not sure that a lot of our fans could stretch 10€ for a compact disk, because that’s the price for this CD with 16 pages booklet. Though, why not? There is also a limited edition in photoalbum A5 format with 24 pages booklet, but for 13€ already. It is possible to ordedr from the releasing label. [9 / 10]

 

Geert Van Mook, Vampire webmagazine [Netherlands]:

Is kartos į kartą is the title of Obtest's third album, and it means something like From generation to generation. This band from Lithuania plays pagan/black metal and already gained a steady reputation in the underground scene.
This new album is a logical successor of Auka Seniems Dievams that was released in 2001. It took the band almost four years to come up with this new album, and after such a long wait I maybe expected too much from this new album, fact is that it's a little disappointment for me. This doesn't mean that Is kartos į kartą has become a worse album, actually it's the opposite of that. Fans of the previous work from Obtest will surely love this one too. Yet, in comparison with a band like Skyforger; a band that plays quite the same style like Obtest, Obtest doesn't develop really while Skyforger does.
The sound of Obtest has become more melodic and a little less aggressive than in the past, yet some songs on this album really bores me after a few times listening. I really got the feeling that this is more of the same. Which don't have to be negative of course; would you like to see Mötorhead changing its style? Yet on an album like Is kartos į kartą I think that it could have been worked out a little better, with some more variation between the songs.
For the people who are not known with this band, Obtest plays pagan/black full of melody and tunes from old traditional folk songs. The vocals of Baalberith are clean yet still quite raw. best you can compare Obtest to the older work of Skyforger, yet a little more polished.
Despite of my negative comments, I'm for sure that many would love this album, because this band is for sure one of the better pagan metal bands around, and during the years they created an own characteristic sound. Yet for me personal this album is a too 'logical' without surprises. I'm for sure that I will play this album some more in the future while enjoying my beer, yet it won't be too often.

 

Gilus Pogrindis website [Lithuania]:

"From generation to generation, or distant travel from the past. What we've got from our forefathers, we will pass to upcoming generations. We read the footmarks of our ancestry in fire, ground, stone and we are always looking for ourselves. Burning paths meander and wind ahead, towards where everything is one……….".(statement of Obtest).
Inspired by such black metal greats as Mayhem, Grand Belial's Key, Darkthrone and other bands like Slayer, Manowar, Death and etc. in their early years, these pagans deliver the third full length since the end of 1992 when Obtest was born. This one is called "Is Kartos I Karta"(From Generation To Generation). The album contains 9 tracks of black/pagan metal with lithuanian lyrics. The first track of the album "Paskutine Akimirka"/The Last Blink" catches you with a several riffs with melodious guitar lines, heavily pounding drums and aggressive and memorable style of vocals. The atmosphere on the track has a lot of so called "war-like" energy and one can feel almost anything while listening to such music: anger, aggressiveness, elevation or what ever he or she likes to feel. As for me the first time I listened to this track was, it was announced in the web site of their label Ledo Takas Records, frankly speaking it didn't amaze me at first before I got the promo copy of "Is Kartos I Karta" and had an opportunity to listen the album throughout. Well as you all know the first glimpse isn't the way to experience the full power of any type of metal band. You always have to listen several times to a track or to the album itself to get the real impression. Other songs from this album, be it the title song "Is Kartos I Karta" or other, they provide listener with loads of fiery and elevating energy, which one can always find in all of Obtest full albums and other releases whether it is their first demo "Oldness Coming" or the latest full-length.

 

Göran, Fishcom Collective website [Belgium]:

This Lithuanian band plays (and I quote) "heathen war heavy metal". Obtest indeed struck me with their unique sound, not directly comparable to any band. A strong rhythm-section (both drum and guitars) provides a non-stop catchy basis - reaching for influences in heavy and pagan metal. With striking melodies and superb half-sung vocals on top, Obtest succeeds in creating a viking/pagan style combined with refreshing elements. The influences are many, but the result is fantastic. Also, the lyrics are written and sung in their mother tongue, but they appeal to everyone thanks to the English translation, which is nice. For Enslaved and Mithotyn fans: this is a band to discover! Is Kartos I Karta (From generation to generation) is a sublime piece of epic pagan metal; a must-have!

 

Gustavo C, Estigia webzine [Argentina]:

OBTEST es una banda proveniente de Lituania que inicio su carrera en 1992 practicando por ese entonces el Black metal al estilo escandinavo, fuertemente influenciado por bandas como Enslaved, Darkthrone o Mayhem, y que paulatinamente fue evolucionando hacia una mezcla de Black/Pagan/War Metal con mucho del Metal europeo tradicional, llegando a recordar por momentos a grupos como Ancient Rites o Amon Amarth.  Integramente cantado en su lengua nativa, el album (tercero en la discografia del grupo) arranca sin preambulos y a toda velocidad con Paskutine Akimirka, una cancion epica y veloz con la voz cruda y potente de Baalberith bien al frente, mientras que Sadlave y Enrikas (guitarras) entrelazan melodias y cabalgatas sobre la ajustada base formada por Insmuth (bateria) y Demonas (bajo). Son nueve los temas que componen el disco y si algo hay que destacar es que la intensidad y energia no decae en ningun momento, ya sea en los temas mas rapidos como Devyniaragis o Pergale o en los mas marchosos y a medio tiempo como Griausmavaldys o el tema que da titulo a este album, al que solo puede reprocharsele cierta monotonia a nivel compositivo. En cuanto a la utilizacion del lituano a la hora de entonar las letras, la aspereza del idioma refuerza el sentimiento "guerrero" del grupo aunque al principio cueste un poco adaptar el oido. En resumen: autentico Metal Pagano, altivo y orgulloso es lo que nos ofrece OBTEST, ideal para los seguidores del estilo que seguramente no saldran defraudados.

 

Haavard Holm, Metal Norge website [Norway]:

Det begynner etterhvert å bli god kvalitet på mye av det som ramler utav de baltiske landene, Latvia, Estonia og ikke minst Lithauen har etterhvert fått noen band som nok vil bli lagt merke til i årene fremover, både utifra det demoband derifra viser, men samtidig også etablerte band, som her ved Obtest som på sin tredje fullengder viser snev av storhet. Bandet som også på sine to foregående album har vært spesielt rettet mot folk heavy/black metal har denne gangen nok blitt enda litt gitarorientert, hvor de vrenger til med noen kapable gitarmelodier iblant. Og det er her bandet gjør den fremste jobben, de får ut gode melodier utav noe som kanskje kan høres litt brukt ut, og dermed får det til å høres tidvis suverent ut.
Da med spesiell omtanke til fjerde låta "Victory" og siste sporet "Treaded Black Paths" som er suverent dynamiske i gitarfremførelsen. Som om å høre ett band som svenske Dawn har blitt folk-aktig. Men det er så bra laget de partiene at det er her jeg håper Obtest kan ta det videre, for det er den biten som gjør det hele litt mere stødig og orginalt.
Ellers er det både og på plata, det er jevnt over greit, de nevnte fantastiske partiene er der, men likevel så er slutningen at helheten nok må bli bedre samt at variasjonene absolutt er nødvendige, for etter over 40 minutter i samme tempo så blir det for ensidig.
Men for all del, Obtest er klart ett band å følge med på hvis du liker det band som for eksempel Mithotyn gjorde for noen år tilbake. [6 / 10]

[translation]
It seems that the quality of material which rumbles out of the Baltic countries gradually starting to increase. Latvia, Estonia and not least Lithuania have got some bands, which can reach your attention in forthcomming years. Both demobands and already existing ones such as Obtest presenting a touch of greatness with their third album. Being most focused on folk/heavy/black on two previous albums, this time they became even more guitar-dominating. The band turns out capable guitar melodies from something which seems to be so common, but makes it all sound quite sovereign.
This dinamical guitar presentation especially felt on the fourth track "Victory" and last one "Treaded Black Paths". Imagine a folk version of swedish Dawn. Those guitar parts are so good made that hopefully, Obtest could take it further because that's what make them sound more steady and original. Otherwise, the material level on this album is high enough. Though missing some variation to become better in full. More than 40 minutes at the same tempo is too monotonous. Nethertheless, Obtest is a band to follow for sure if you like such stuff as Mithotyn have done some years ago. [6 / 10]

 

Hammerworld magazine [Hungary]:

[9 / 10]

 

Heiko Urbanzyk, Blutvergiessen magazine [Germany]:

Hier also das Album, das OBTEST den offiziellen Status der besten litauischen Metalgruppe eingebracht hat. Was immer man von solchen Preisen hält, „From Generation to Generation“ ist in meinen Augen wirklich das bisher beste Werk von OBTEST. Sie spielen Heathen War Heavy Metal. Und gerade die Bezeichnung Heavy Metal paßt gut zur Beschreibung der Mucke. Diese ist schnell und treibend. Das Schlagzeug kloppt in einem durch; vor allem die Doppelbässe. Die „galoppierenden“ Gitarren erinnern tatsächlich an schnellen Heavy/Power Metal. Begleitet werden sie von der fast ständig heroisch-mittelalterliche Melodien frickelnden Sologitarre. Der Gesang ist gekrächzt und aggressiv – durch das Litauische erinnert er an so manch andere Gruppe aus dieser Region. Ich bin echt fasziniert davon, daß die Jungs durchweg 43 Minuten Gas geben können, ohne daß das Album dadurch langweilig würde. Hier stimmt echt alles – Melodie und Aggression. Besser als LOITS, mindestens so gut wie SKYFORGER. Wirklich klasse! Die CD kommt im limitierten DIN-A5-Digipack und als Standardversion mit 16seitigem Beiheft; eine LP mit Klapphülle und anderer Gestaltung soll esauch geben. Heidnische Metaller mit Hang zu Ostgruppen treten vor! Dies ist ein Pflichtkauf für Euch!

 

Helen Nott, Live 4 Metal website [England]:

I tell you what, it was bloody lucky that I got a biog with this album otherwise I wouldn't have had a clue who I was reviewing. These indecipherable logos look very cool and grim admittedly, but it doesn't help when you haven't got a clue what the band's name is! One would think, as I did, that this band is of the black metal ilk. Unfortunately for me, but perhaps fortunately for others, this was not the case. (note: I didn't have the biog at this point so knew nothing about the band). It's always a bit disconcerting when you have a preconceived idea about what you expect something to sound like and then when you actually get round to listening to it, it doesn't quite meet your expectations. Obtest are a Lithuanian band and ‘sing' in their native language. Amusingly, their biog states they should be filed under ‘heathen war heavy metal'. Christ, these genres are getting out of control. Anyway, mmnn, I wasn't keen on this album I must admit; I'm not saying it's bad, it just isn't what I go for musically at all. It's certainly an acquired taste and I'm sure there are many out there who'd love this kind of music. On a positive note, Obtest certainly don't really sound like anyone I've heard before. I had real difficulty trying to think of how to describe them as all this battle metal stuff just isn't my forte. I guess my main problem is the vocals; When first track ‘Paskutine Akimirka' kicked in with a melodic thrash like intro, I could take it or leave it until I heard the vocals in which case it was a definite ‘leave it'. I have a real problem with ‘shouty' vocals and to be honest I just felt like some dude was just shouting in my ears and it didn't help that I didn't understand a word he was saying. I haven't got a problem with non-English vocals at all but in this case, it just added to the frustration. Also, the pace of this track, and in fact every track, was just too fast- it just didn't work- it sounded awkward, as if it was set to the wrong speed almost. The relentless blast beats got on my nerves as well as it just added to the barrage of sound. Ironically, I wouldn't class this album as ‘heavy' at all. Obtest are certainly melodic but again, they go a bit overboard in trying to create ‘epic' choruses to the point that they just sound, well, a bit daft. The melody is certainly apparent but there was no groove to go with it, so the melody just didn't work for me. Title track, ‘Is Kartos I Karta' was slightly better in terms of creating a good melody, as was the intro to ‘Pergale' but then it just went downhill again. Each track is just so repetitious though and relentless in approach, that they just never hooked me at all. A bit too testosterone-laden for me I'm afraid.

 

Hell Tyrant, Lunar Hypnosis webzine [USA]:

Obtest is a pagan/black metal hailing from the Baltic state of Lithuania. After a lengthy career, the band has re-invented themselves several times and developed their music towards different directions. Starting out as a death metal band, the band evolved into a pagan black metal band as time continued. Once again however, Obtest have decided to make a brand new change and move closer towards some of their musical roots, the realm of heavy metal.
Obtest started out back in the late days of 1992, after a few line-up changes, the band today stands with Sadlave striking thunder with the guitar, Baalberith delivering the war chanting vocals, Demonas destroying with the bass and Insmuth pounding the war drums. The band's lyrical themes range from historical war to mythology. I am going to admit that I was completely expecting something else out of this band, I was expecting your typical mediocre pagan black metal, but I was proved wrong. Obtest's music can barely be considered black metal or anything close to it. The band has a sound that is hard to define. Heavy metal with a rough attitude. The vocals are in their native language, which is always a plus. The music takes different tempo changes throughout the album, not quick enough to make riffs and sections of songs seem unimportant, but at a proper speed so the listener can keep up with the music and enjoy the different riffs.
The vocals are well done, this band is heavy metal, but you will not find many (or any at all) lame screams. They are sung with an attitude and they are executed with precision, at times, they have a very heinous tone to them. The drumming is done well, it keeps up with the music and it constantly changes. From drum fills to catchy beats, the drums do not really seem to be mundane at all.
The CD is around 43 minutes long, so there is plenty of material within the CD to keep your mind busy for some time. Overall, the album is catchy, interesting, strong, pure and aggressive even. The band has a lot of creativity and they know how to use it well. At times, the songs seem to get a bit repetitive and maybe more variety of ranges can be added to the vocals, but besides for that, this album is an interesting addition to anyone's music collection. [8 / 10]

 

Hellric, Ars Metallia website [Belgium]:

Voici un autre groupe venu de Lithuanie: Obtest, qui débarque dans nos contrées avec leur troisieme album, meme si le groupe a été fondé en 1992. Obtest propose une combinaison de ses deux passions: le black metal scandinave et le heavy metal traditionnel (j'entends par la Maiden, Manowar, ...), le tout au service d'un concept paganique illustré par un chant uniquement en lithuanien (a noter que tous les textes sont traduits en anglais pour que les auditeurs y comprennent quelque chose). Le résultat est bien agréable a l'écoute, il me rappelle les Finlandais d'Ensiferum et d'Ajattara ou les Suédois de Thyrfing a leurs débuts, ce qui n'est pas si étonnant, la Finlande et la Suede ne sont pas loin... Les chansons sont pleines de riffs entrainants, parfois tres proches de ce que fait Iron Maiden; les lignes de chant parfaitement en phase avec le style pratiqué, meme si la voix assez originale, ni claire ni vraiment extreme, pourra en dérouter certains. Il se dégage un coté a la fois épique et festif de cette musique profondément ancrée dans ses racines ancestrales, et ce malgré le fait que contrairement a pratiquement tous les autres du meme genre, ils n'utilisent ni claviers, ni instruments traditionnels, rien que le trio guitare/basse/battrie de base du métal, leur maniere a eux de rendre hommage aux «anciens» du métal. Enfin il reste a signaler que la production est excellente, rien a envier a nos studios occidentaux. Si vous aimez le métal «haches et peaux de betes», essayez vraiment Obtest! [4 / 5]

 

Hellvis, Shapeless webzine [Italy]:

Una delle scene piu fertili ed interessanti del panorama metal internazionale e quella dei paesi baltici. Estonia, Lettonia e Lituania stanno sfornando a ripetizione gruppi di indubbio valore: Skyforger, Loits, Dissimulation, ecc. Ed anche gli Obtest. Questo gruppo lituano si e guadagnato nel corso degli ultimi anni una notevole reputazione. Sono pochi quelli che ricordano i loro esordi black del 1992 (con un primo demo pubblicato nel 1994); perņ gli appassionati del metal piu curiosi li avranno sicuramente notati a partire dal 1999, anno di pubblicazione di "Tūkstantmetis". In questo album, il loro black metal mostrava una forte componente pagana, ma lo stile si e modificato ulteriormente in "Auka Seniems Dievams" (2001). Nel secondo full-length, che ha inaugurato l'ottima collaborazione con l'etichetta Ledo Takas, il black metal ha lasciato il posto ad uno stile di metal piu tradizionale, sebbene sempre in grado di evocare scenari pagani e guerreschi.
"Iš Kartos Į Karta" e l'ultima pubblicazione degli Obtest. Il gruppo, i cui membri preferiscono mantenere l'anonimato (ma cercando su internet potrete trovare tutti i loro nomi d'arte), viene da una serie di importanti tour in tutta Europa. I grandi riscontri ottenuti dal pubblico, hanno rese elevate le aspettative nei confronti di quest'album.
Il promo in mio possesso e racchiuso in un cartoncino, decorato con una fotografia dai colori scuri: si intravede un lontano paesaggio, con il cielo nuvoloso. Non ci sono tante note allegate a questa copertina: non sono citati nemmeno gli studi di registrazione. E' un peccato, perche la qualita dell'incisione e ottima.
Potente e fiera, "Paskutine Akimirka" mette subito in chiaro una cosa: gli Obtest sono un gruppo di alto livello! La melodia e efficacissima; il tiro e notevole! Chitarre e basso intessono giri di accordi fortemente evocativi, pregni di eroismo. La ritmica tenuta dalla batteria e molto trascinante: serrata durante le strofe, si apre addirittura in un blastbeat nel ritornello. La voce del cantante e ruvida ma convincente, ideale per il contesto sonoro nel quale e calata. Insomma, "Paskutine Akimirka" e una canzone priva di sbavature, essenziale ma non banale. Riesce a galvanizzare l'ascoltatore, evocando nella sua testa scenari di battaglia, avventure di eroi indomabili. Ho adorato questa traccia la prima volta che l'ho ascoltata. Dopo tanti ascolti, la trovo sempre fantastica!
"Devyniaragis" continua sulle coordinate stilistiche suggerite dal brano precedente. La potenza delle chitarre e della batteria, ed il loro continuo spingere sull'acceleratore, tradiscono il passato estremo (abbastanza recente, tra l'altro) degli Obtest. Il suono e energico, sanguigno e maturo: e impossibile restarne indifferenti. Anche la voce del cantante contribuisce a rendere perfetto il meccanismo della band lituana. Il suo timbro roco, lontano anni luce dalle ugole limpide del power, si rivela perfetto, insostituibile. L'irruenza guerresca ed epica di "Devyniaragis" guadagna dalle vocals un qualcosa di barbarico. Bella, davvero.
Ecco ora la title-track, il cui titolo potrebbe essere tradotto come "Di Generazione In Generazione". Meno tirata da quelle che l'hanno preceduta, questa traccia non si risparmia in quanto a potenza! Anzi! La melodia intonata dal cantante e comunque in evidenza, grazie ad un arrangiamento abbastanza agile. Il muro sonoro e stato abbandonato a favore dell'espressivita, grazie al lavoro separato delle due chitarre. I riff, dai forti richiami popolari, non sono mai fuori luogo: gli Obtest hanno lavorato col cesello per creare un qualcosa di artisticamente ineccepibile. Sebbene la melodia rimanga in testa quasi immeditamente, un suo ascolto attento rivela la ricchezza delle soluzioni sonore. Queste sono sintomo di grandi creativita ed ispirazione: due doti importantissime, tipiche non solo di questa composizione, ma di tutto l'album!
"Pergale", Vittoria, spinge nuovamente sull'acceleratore: per fare un paragone scherzoso, immaginatevi i primi Blind Guardian in coca, eheh! Ovviamente la band lituana ha poco o niente da spartire col gruppo tedesco, perņ mi piace accostarne il mix comune di ritmica violentissima, strofe energiche e ritornelli accattivanti. Questi sono i veri punti di forza degli Obtest annata 2005, una band in grado di far scorrere fuoco nelle vene degli ascoltatori! Se ad essi si uniscono la precisione esecutiva e la giusta dose di arrabbiatura, beh, tanto di cappello! La tensione e sempre alle stelle e la musica non si ammoscia mai: l'urlo di astio e di sfida degli antichi guerrieri baltici, risuona tra le note di "Pergale".
"Griausmavaldys" e, come al solito, perfetta ed equilibrata in tutte le sue parti. Il ritmo ritorna a farsi meno esasperato; la melodia e severa e decisa. Il titolo fa riferimento ad un "Signore Del Tuono", e "Griausmavaldys" e in possesso di un suono tonante, che squassa i timpani dell'incauto ascoltatore! E' facile, per chi ama viaggiare con la fantasia, immaginarsi cieli plumbei e popoli impavidi. L'evocativita penso sia uno degli obiettivi primari degli Obtest: alla luce di quanto ho ascoltato su "Iš Kartos Į Karta", ritengo che abbiano raggiunto il loro scopo con successo!
Arrembante e violenta, "Audronaša" riporta alla luce il passato black del gruppo. La batteria e lanciata in un blastbeat serratissimo; il suono e piu oscuro che mai. Anche il timbro del cantante e piu sguaiato. Riffing popolare e spirito metal, rendono questa canzone un cocktail saporito e vincente! La struttura e relativamente complessa. Molto bella il finale, molto differente dalla prima, cupissima parte! Risolleva gli animi turbati! Dona la stessa energia di quando, in un campo di battaglia, si vede che la vittoria sta arrivando inaspettatamente, dopo che per lungo tempo si e temuto di essere sconfitti e trucidati!
"Burtai" e una cavalcata risoluta, dalla melodia deliziosa. Si tratta di un brano lineare, ben costruito e di facile presa. Come al solito, gli Obtest ce la mettono tutta per rendere il suono il piu vitale possibile. L'heavy metal pagano e guerresco trova, in questa canzone, la sua esemplificazione piu diretta. Non c'e altro da aggiungere.
"Pirmyn!" si rivela subito trascinante: e come poteva essere altrimenti, visto che il titolo significa "Avanti!". La preferisco di molto alla traccia che l'ha preceduta: in fondo, "Burtai" si dimostra fin troppo "facile", prevedibile. "Pirmyn!" e arricchita invece da un arrangiamento variegato, ed e cento volte piu espressiva e comunicativa. Siamo alla penultima traccia e gia cominciano a mancarmi i termini per lodare le ottime melodie, e tutti gli altri pregi di queste valide composizioni! Questo e indice della forte coerenza di questo album, e di un suono ben definito e, come ho gia scritto, maturo!
E' quindi con fiducia che, finalmente, l'ascoltatore puņ godersi il tripudio finale di "Suminti Juodi Takai". Non si tratta del brano piu arrembante e cattivo, ma e una conclusione senza cedimenti e piena di feeling epico. Il suono pieno e travolgente dei lituani scalda cuori, animi e fa rimpiangere che "Iš Kartos Į Karta" sia gia finito!
Eh si, lettori di Shapeless, gli Obtest hanno fatto veramente un buon lavoro! Il songwriting e stato dosato con intelligenza, ed il talento ha donato quel qualcosa in piu a tutto l'assieme! Direi che il gruppo si sta avvicinando alla sua definitiva consacrazione: se non fosse per la presenza di alcune tracce belle, ma forse migliorabili (vedi "Burtai", ad esempio"), questo album sarebbe stato perfetto! Gia cosi com'e, comunque, si dimostra un lavoro di alta qualita, e consigliatissimo a tutti gli amanti della buona musica! Bravissimi Obtest, continuate cosi! [8,5 / 10]

 

Ignifaxius, Mortem webzine [Czechia]:

V prve rade bych rad kapelu Obtest predstavil tem, kteri ješte nemeli tu čest a neslyšeli dve predchozi alba, čimž se velmi ochudili o nevšedni hudebni zažitky. Tato kapela patri, hlavne spolu se Skyforger, k nejvyraznejšim a taktež k nejlepšim spolkum, co muže vubec pobaltska scena nabidnout. Hudebne se jedna o smesici melodickeho black a heavy metalu zahaleneho do velmi zajimaveho zastreneho zvuku.
Ale dost bylo charakteristik, vrhnu se na dalši psani rovnou po hlave, presne tak jako kapela v prvni pisni. Na minulem počinu zahrala nejdrive jemna pisnička, neco jako intro - zde tomu již tak neni. Kapela se na vas vyriti velmi zostra riznymi kytarami a dusotem bicich. Prvni veci, ktera neznaleho českeho posluchače zasahne do sluchovodu, bude težka srozumitelnost slov - jedna se o litevštinu a take o jedno z poznavacich znameni bandy. Velmi prijemne se to posloucha, reč je to zvučna s podobnym frazovani