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INTERVJU - BAALBERITH, OBTEST
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GetMetal kollar läget hos OBTEST..
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First of all could you please present yourself and Obtest to our readers?
Hello to all the readers! I am Baalberith, the vocalist of Obtest. Obtest is a unique Lithuanian pagan metal band, which has been around for more than a decade in the scarce Lithuanian metal underground.
You´ve been around since the early 90´s, could you tell us about the history of the band?
The band formed in the end of 1992. The first rehearsal tape was recorded in summer of 1994. It was raw and furious black metal tunes. In 1995 we recorded two demo tapes "Oldness Comming" and "Pries Audra". The last one was distributed well onto underground world all around the planet. The next step was "Tukstantmetis" album, which was released on April 23rd of 1997 as a tape-album. The MC album was released in Lithuania and distributed locally. The first 7"EP "997" was put out by German Miriquidi Productions (Hail!) in 1998. After the realization of EP Miriquidi agreed to put out CD version of "Tukstantmetis" album, so it was distributed worldwide from 1999. In the year 2000 OBTEST played a tour in Germany as a support band for Eminenz. One more 7" EP "Prisiek" was released in Germany in 2001. In the end of the year OBTEST signed to Ledo Takas and recorded second full-length album "Auka Seniems Dievams". The album was released as LP/CD and distributed worldwide. In autumn of 2002 OBTEST toured in Europe with Skyforger, Sear Bliss, Grief of Emerald. In 2003 "Dvylika JuodVarniu" 7"EP was put out by Ledo Takas Records, in memory of Lord Ominous (Anubi). In the fall of 2005 the third album "Is Kartos I Karta" (From generation to generation) was released. The promotional concerts began in winter, OBTEST played in Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Germany, Czech, Ireland, Portugal. In January of 2007 two gigs happened in U.S., one of them in the “Heathen Crusade” festival. The latest, fourth album “Gyvybes Medis” was recorded in April of 2007 in Poland. Due to the mixing and mastering works and negotiations between record labels and the band, this album realization date moved to April of this year, 2008.
You have a new album out, what can the fans expect?
Obtest’s new album “Gyvybes medis” has been recorded at a professional studio, unlike the previous albums. Therefore, our fans can look forward to an excellent sound quality. Moreover, all of the songs on the album are very distinct but they create a very wholesome album, which doesn’t happen very often in the music industry today, in my opinion.
How would you compare this one to your previous records?
It is very difficult to compare the two albums – “Is kartos I karta” and “Gyvybes medis”. Both of them are very good. Also, our guitar player Enrikas has brought some colors into the guitar solo front since joining Obtest. The album “Gyvybes medis” is the most mature Obtest work so far and it has been released by a kick ass record label Osmose productions!
What does the song writing process look like in the band?
Obtest’s backbone and main music, poetry writer is Sadlave. Then each band member contributes to the whole process individually. That’s how all the ideas become reality.
What do you think of the metal scene today?
Yeah! There are a lot of great metal bands out there today – new and old. Obtest has metaled out in a few big festivals one of them was Brutal Assault in 2007. A lot of great bands have played there which I have been listening to for a long time. I’m glad to see a lot of young people out there headbanging to metal. Long live metal!
What´s the plan for the future for Obtest?
Our main goal right now is to tour Europe this winter and play to those fans in countries which Obtest has never played in. Also, we will release an earthquaking fifth metal album.
What are you feelings about people downloading your songs on the internet?
I don’t think that it’s a very bad phenomenon because it enables people to come across our music and listen to it. This is a good way for people to find us and if they like what they hear, they will buy the original album, which has a much better sound quality, unlike the MP3 format.
Any advice for young bands that want to make it in the music business?
The main thing is to be original and play music from the heart. I don’t think of music as a possibility of money making, it should be played, written, composed, etc from your “guts”. It should be a way of life.
Any last words to the readers of GetMetal.com?
Be sure to see us at our upcoming shows and let the “Gyvybes medis” thrive in its life force.
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