December 31st 2006

Ledo Takas webshop is launched

New year starts with a new virtual webshop here at Ledo Takas headquarters. From now on you will be able to learn all the latest distribution news, and get in details about the merchandise and music offered much faster and more comfortable. None the less, orders can be forwarded right away not even leaving the webshop.
You can discover the initial result of a project that was in works for few years clicking WEBSHOP link on right menu. We will keep improving and stuffing it with all kind of news.
There is an option to subscribe for mailorder news by e-mail, you simply need to follow the instructions inside the webshop.

December 13th 2006

Ledo Takas will release a split album of LUCTUS and ARGHARUS

Ledo Takas will start next year on a loud, strong and new note: considered to be the strongest black metal label in Baltic region, it will present two young, but remarkable Lithuanian black metal bands: ARGHARUS from Šiauliai and LUCTUS from Kaunas. Split album is entitled "Sonitus Caeli Ardentis" and it will be released in both limited vinyl [12"LP] and compact disk [CD] forms. LUCTUS material was recorded this spring in Italy, The Lair studio, whilst ARGHARUS have just finished mastering their part in Latvia, Phoenix studio.
"It will be a presentation kind of release. Both bands have enough of potential and ambitions to grab geographically wider audience. That's the primary aim of this album" - comments Ledo Takas.
Release date of "Sonitus Caeli Ardentis" is preliminary scheduled for March 13th, 2007.

December 12th 2006

DISSIMULATION interviewed by Abyss Shining Hate Domain website

Belarussian site reveals an interview with Stabmeldys, generated yet in spring of 2003. For those who can read Russian - have an abysmal read!

December 5th 2006

URSKUMUG interviewed by Imhotep website

The very north of Europe based and worldwide acclaimed virtual media Imhotep website has published a nice and thorough feature on Latvian tribal black metallers along [and above!] such luminaries as Manowar, Cradle Of Filth W.A.S.P. and Vader, to name but a few. Read the thingie right now!
In other news, Latvian hordes now rehearse their old and new songs with a human drummer, session member Balrogh. Last but not least, American imprint Haarbn Productions will re-issue debut Pareja album in digipak form as soon as year 2007 steps in.
Early next year Ledo Takas shall offer vinyl version of Am Nodr album, and URSKUMUG shirts.

November 23rd 2006

OBTEST Prieš Audrą vinyl MLP and shirts released tomorrow

November 24th is an official release date of new OBTEST Prieš Audrą vinyl MLP and shirts. Detailed info and samples - in Releases section.
This Saturday new releases will be presented during the jubilee gig of Ledo Takas in Vilnius.

November 22nd 2006

DISSIMULATION Prakeikimas girlie shirts available

Along with male shirts that are out for a while now, we now offer short sleeved girlie Prakeikimas shirts as well, for all ladies that are not frightened by aggressive manifests ;) Detailed info and samples - in Releases section.
Official release date - November 24th, yet we'll also present shirts this Saturday, during the jubilee gig of Ledo Takas.

November 12th 2006

Fragment of OBTEST Oldness comming mp3 posted online

Newly recorded old demo song of OBTEST, that is a part of Prieš Audrą vinyl MLP, coming out in two weeks, is now available to download. Check out Label>Media section.

November 10th 2006

Ledo Takas marks its 10th year Anniversary

December 1st 1996 is an official date when label activities have been started. To commemorate ten years' anniversary of Ledo Takas, we thrash out with a gig on November 25th here in Vilnius - be our guests! Line-up and details - in Gigs section.
During the same gig OBTEST will present live their new MLP!

November 9th 2006

OBTEST Prieš Audrą 10"MLP is out November 24th

Eleven years after its original release as a demo tape, OBTEST's Prieš Audrą mini album is being released again as a cult piece of vinyl with two extra bonuses, recorded this January. A very limited gatefold edition counts 222 hand-numbered copies and waits your pre-orders right now. Front cover, pricing and other info - in Releases section.
Yet this year Ledo Takas will press an ultra limited edition of Prieš Audrą shirts as well.

November 1st 2006

OBTEST will take part in Heathen Crusade II festival in USA

Annual "Heathen Crusade II" festival will take place on January 19-20, 2007 in Mineapolis, center of Minesotta state, and feature the Lithuanian group, among its heavy line-up. Pagan metal event, that was first held in American continent this past January, when stage was dominated by Moonsorrow, The Chasm, Novembers Doom, Thyrfing, and Primordial, among others, has received a certain attention of public and media.
Inspired by success, organizers attempt to widen festival horizons both geographically as well as culturally, so the upcoming second edition sees a wide range of invited artists: Bal-Sagoth [England], Månegarm [Sweden], Vreid [Norway], Rudra [Singapore], Skyforger [Latvia], Mael Morda [Ireland], Slough Feg [USA], and – we are very pleased to accent that – OBTEST [Lithuania].
This is unambigously an event to talk about for Lithuanian alternative music scene, treating it as equal and unique not only in European, but also in a worldwide heavy music context. For OBTEST, that have a strong supportive audience in Baltic states and is well known in other European regions, already participated in a string of festivals from Russia to Portugal, and from Finland to Ireland, it will be a perfect chance to present its music, that is born from native mythology and folk traditions, to Northern American listeners for the first time.

October 25th 2006

DISSIMULATION Prakeikimas shirts are out

For all supporters of Lithuanian black/thrashing filth, we have very limited prints of standard T-shirt, sleeveless shirt, and longsleeve shirt editions. Top quality full colour print on thick trademarked shirts. Check the Releases section and order, now!!!

September 27th 2006

The Fall Generation tour cancelled

Due to too many false promises of local promoters, and simply bad luck OBTEST and Ledo Takas unfortunately can't escape the cancelation of The Fall Generation tour. Or, to say better, it is postponed for later.
Both parties apologize the fans and promise to make it happen as soon as a right opportunity comes.
Lithuanian gigs of course take place, be there next weekend and witness it \m/:
FRI October 6th – Panevėžys / Linelis [Lithuania] + Grol, Dar, Inquisitor
SAT October 7th – Klaipėda / Kreivoji Sąrama [Lithuania]

September 17th 2006

The Fall Generation tour of OBTEST

Lithuanian Pagan Metal force OBTEST is ready for the final part of live shows, related to much acclaimed Is Kartos I Karta album. An autumnal string of Central European dates appears in this order:
FRI October 6th – Panevezys / Linelis [Lithuania] + Grol, Dar, Inquisitor
SAT October 7th – Klaipeda / Kreivoji Sarama [Lithuania]
SUN October 8th – Warszawa / Rock Bikers [Poland] + Adultery
MON October 9th – TBA
TUE October 10th – TBA
WED October 11th – Ljubljana / TBA [Slovenia] + Adultery
THU October 12th – Osijek / Oks [Croatia] + Catamenia, Adultery, Winterhorde
FRI October 13th – As / Clubicko [Czechia] + Adultery
SAT October 14th – TBA
Few dates are yet to be announced, so any interested parties shall get in touch as possibly soon, if there is an interest to see the heathen flames burning live on stage.
In other related news, OBTEST talk about the new album. After The Fall Generation tour, the band closes in their own studio to work on pre-production of a bunch of new songs, written for the upcoming 4th studio album, scheduled for release in 2007 via Ledo Takas Records.

September 14th 2006

LOITS opens for Moonspell in Tartu

One of the world's best known and most loved gothic/doom metal legends, Moonspell, will perform in the Club Illusioon, Tartu on September 25, as part of their series of gigs in Baltics. Also on the bill, and after quite a long while, are the Estonian metal elitists LOITS.
It will also mark the return of Gates, a long-time guitarist, to the ranks! "We are more than happy to announce that for quite some time LOITS has been rehearsing with two guitarists. Our old comrade Gates is back in LOITS" - states the official newsletter. Like in old good times :)

August 1st 2006

Girlie longsleeve shirts of OBTEST available

Ladies, it's your turn! We strive for making you look yet nicer and more attractive, and with a shirt like this there is no escape to win all the sympathies. Entitled "Brooch" it features modest minimalist design with the latest Iš Kartos Į Kartą motives.
Check releases section for more details about this strictly limited wear noir.

July 17th 2006

OBTEST Prieš Audrą 10" and URSKUMUG Am Nodr 12" vinyls scheduled for a fall release

Ledo Takas Records have set a pair of vinyl records to be released this coming fall.
First off, it's a 12"LP of recent URSKUMUG album Am Nodr, and we are already intrigued how their brand of ferocious tribal black metal will sound on wax! So are you, right? Vinyl will be executed in a gatefold sleeve and will feature one captivating bonus cover, recorded during Am Nodr sessions!
1995's demo re-release of OBTEST was long in plans, but finally it takes right shape and details have also been finalized. Remastered demo of five songs will be enriched by two bonus tracks, namely Oldness Comming and My Beloved Land, that are actually first few compositions ever written by the band. Both were fully re-recorded in Phoenix studio January 14th 2006 with Gints Lungbergs at the knobs, and both English sung hymns show the band turning back to their black metal heydays, exclusively! Precious 10" vinyl will be also wrapped into a gatefold sleeve with authentic artwork displayed in a right size.
Tentative release date for both vinyls is Samhain [October 31st], yet if everything moves smoothly, we won't delay that long. Last but not least, these will be very limited editions.

May 26th 2006

URSKUMUG Am Nodr CD is available to order

Indeed, we had to delay this release a bit, since first version of CD booklets were not satisfying, so the second print must have been done.
However, now Am Nodr both sounds and looks killer, let alone the tribal black metal album is available to order, both wholesale and retail. Some brilliant reviews keep flowing in as well.
This Saturday, May 27th URSKUMUG will present their new album live at Burning Steel festival in Vilnius, Lithuania.

March 30th 2006

New URSKUMUG album release date revealed, track titles, album cover and title song posted online

One month to go!
Walpurgis night will be specially celebrated by shamanic four piece from Riga: Am Nodr, their second album that marks the start of cooperation with Ledo Takas, is scheduled to release on April 30th 2006.
Album cover artwork, track titles, MP3 of the title song and other details are posted in label's releases section.

March 1st 2006

Vinyl edition of OBTEST Iš Kartos Į Kartą album is here

After a precise finalization of gatefold LP design we are proud to present the third OBTEST album on vinyl format as well: altered artwork, bonus A2 poster and last but not least - acclaimedly ass kicking Pagan Metal, that got a unique sound on vinyl!
Hand-numbered to 499 copies collectors' edition is unleashed March 10th.

February 17th 2006

Live videos of OBTEST available for download

The Best Lithuanian Metal band has posted two live videos for everybody to download. Both Pirmyn and Devyniaragis off the latest Iš Kartos Į Kartą album were performed and captured on video 28th January 2006 at Voodoo Lounge club, Dublin, Eire, during the recent Winter Generation tour.

February 16th 2006

OBTEST is voted The Best Lithuanian Metal band of 2005

Ledo Takas bands have triumphed yesterday in first time in country held Alternative Music Awards ceremony. Verdict of twenty five experts' commission was certain: pagan metal five-piece OBTEST from Vilnius was voted the best metal band in Lithuania for 2005. Very close to them were DISSIMULATION from Anykščiai, taking the second place and leaving the rest three nominants behind.
In the poll of album of the year, even without prizes, both Ledo Takas bands have also outrun the other nominants of metal kind. Congratulations!

February 15th 2006

Details of the new URSKUMUG album revealed!

Latvian tribal black metal shamans are close to finish their record session of the upcoming Ledo Takas debut, all in all the second full-length in their discography. Few more strokes here and there, and then it's under mixing and mastering ritual of Mr. Gints Lundbergs himself.
Album has just got the title of AM NODR, meaning the other side in ancient Indian shamanic language. In brief, the album concept deals with the dark side of human inner mind and comes from an ancient shamanic tradition. Total playing time of Am Nodr is expected to be close to 45 minutes, including a bonus track to be revealed at a later stage.
Ledo Takas expects the release date to be confirmed for early to mid spring 2006.

February 9th 2006

OBTEST Iš Kartos Į Kartą shirts are out and available

New OBTEST shirts with Iš Kartos Į Kartą album motives have reached us yet before the Winter Genaration tour, and now we are ready to present them here as well. All detailed info about two differently designed, short and long sleeved shirts you can find in Releases section. By the way, there are only three copies of tour shirt left for the moment, so anybody wishing to grab this historical rarity should contact us immediately.
We have also worked out a bunch of new badges with Ledo Takas and its bands' symbolics, which will be presented in our catalogues in a short time.

February 8th 2006

New updated version of Vere Kutse Kohustab

Since the warehouses of Ledo Takas Records are being quickly depleted of our best seller artist, latest album by Estonians LOITS, a new batch of Vere Kutse Kohustab CDs have just been pressed, whereupon the multimedia section is replaced by the highly reclaimed video for the song Kodu. Due to the addition of the video also the album layout has slightly been altered.
In other news, another VKK song Aeg Argata is featured on the sleeve-CD of the twelfth issue of respectable Finnish metal magazine Miasma. The compilation will also be given out free at the Finnish Metal Expo taking place in Helsinki February 17-18.
Last but not least, nineteenth issue of Chinese biggest extreme metal magazine Extreme Music includes a lengthy interview with Loits. A track also appears on the CD accompanying the magazine together with the tunes by other known names in extreme metal like Destruction, Varathron, Deceased, etc.

February 6th 2006

Thunderous Saturday in Riga

A notorious pagan/black metal festival will take place this Saturday, February 11th in Latvian capital city, Salamandra club, that already had hosted Exodus and Hypocrisy tour in November. This time two Lithuanian bands, OBTEST and DISSIMULATION will share the stage with Estonians Raud Ants and Latvians SkyForger.
Club address - Salamandras iela 1, entrance fee - 5 lats. First band - 7 pm.
Let's go to devastate Latvian grounds!!!

February 5th 2006

OBTEST and DISSIMULATION nominated for Lithuanian Alternative Music Awards

Both Lithuanian Ledo Takas bands are nominated for the first time hold Lithuanian Alternative Music Awards 2005, in two categories each.
Last year released current albums Prakeikimas by DISSIMULATION and Iš Kartos Į Kartą by OBTEST have received interest of Awards organizers, and both were included into prestigious "Album of the Year" category. Other than that, our artists will rival for the title of "The Best Metal Act of 2005", together with three other heavy music bands. Both of these nominations will be picked by a special commission of experts.
"Voice of Nation" - that's the third nomination both Ledo Takas bands pretend to, and this one is elected by the fans, so be smart enough and vote for your favourite Ledo Takas band, clicking this page. Your vote is important too!
The winners will be announced at the official ceremony plus concert held on February 15th in Vilnius, at Lenkų Kultūros Rūmai, Naugarduko 76.

January 7th 2006

[updated January 18th]

OBTEST and LOITS will play this year's SWR Metalfest in Portugal!

It's now official - both respected Baltic artists will smash the southern audience this April, on the kult annual underground Metal fest in Barosellas, Portugal. IXth edition of Steel Warriors Rebellion will take place on 28-30th April, with already confirmed maniacs like Keep Of Kalessin, Ingrowing, Yattering, Amoral, Prejudice, Suhrim, Hell-Born, Flagellum Dei, Lux Ferre, plus The Mighty BOLT THROWER and CARPATHIAN FOREST!!!
This will be a part of Baltic Generation 2006 tour, that starts April 19th in Poland and April 20th in Czechia [OBTEST and LOITS will take part in album presentation gig of Adultery in Ostrava] and finalize with SWR festival. We look for other gigs on the way, so don't hesitate to contact us with your offers please.

January 4th 2006

OBTEST - Winter Generation 2006 tour

OBTEST will play six European dates this very month:

January 20th - Annaberg, Asgard pub [Germany]: with Andras, After Tenebrae, Witchcraft, Krater [Blizzards over Miriquidi festival]
January 21st - Berlin, Knaack club [Germany]: with After Tenebrae, Witchcraft, etc.
January 22nd - Prague, Matrix club [Czechia]: with Return To Innocence, Stiny Plamenu
January 27th - Cork, Fred Zeppelin's club [Eire]: with support
January 28th - Dublin, Voodoo Lounge club [Eire]: with Geasa, A Distant Sun
January 29th - Belfast, Rosetta bar [Eire]: with support

Both T-shirt and longsleeve Iš Kartos Į Kartą album, and special Winter Generation 2006 tour shirts are in production.
See you there! \m/