Many thanks for taking time from your busy schedule to do the interview! For those of our readers who have never heard your band before, how would you describe your sound and main musical influences?
We are OBTEST, pagan metal band from Lithuania. Pagan stands for our poetry, image and the spirit we bring in our songs, Metal stands for the way and instruments we use to create our music. Music that influences OBTEST varies from old school metal to experimental, rock, folk, avant-garde...
How did the band start, and what got you into Metal (and Black/Pagan Metal specifically) in the first place?
We started as the metal maniacs. It was not enough just to listen to music and headbang. After visitation of couple of local gigs with local bands we thought that we could do this also, and that was the start. In 1993 we were fascinated by the Black Metal outburst, and changed the style. After two demo tapes and a few concerts, we started to experiment with the sound and mixed Black Metal with Thrash, Heavy, Folk, Hardcore elements. So what we got in the end they call now Pagan Heavy Metal, or something.
‘Obtest’ is a rather unusual name for a band. What does it mean, and why did you choose it?
This name leads us since the very beginning. We took it from the dictionary, it was quite weird and unusual, and after a while we thought that we’d just leave it as it is. It’s similar to giving a name for a person.
Were you pleased with the press and public reception of “Gyvybës Medis”? Are you happy with the album yourselves?
We are satisfied with what we’ve done, and the reaction from the media and fans are also good for us.
I found that the album flows very well, songs working well together, as well as apart, to create a near-perfect whole. How do you go about writing music?
Music is continuously composed all the time, and when it comes to the full-length album, you have to find out what will be the “key song”. Then you bind other material to that song so it fits all together. Most of the time it takes to write lyrics for the album.
What are your thoughts on the current state of Metal, and how does Obtest stand out from the crowd?
The Metal is alive, active, wild and always fresh. It's in its origin, despite loads of clone-bands these days.
Do you follow the Pagan ideology in everyday life, or is it just ‘in the music’? How do you tie it in with modern politics?
Practice what you preach.
Do you have a good relationship with your label, Osmose?
We have worked with them only half a year, and we are satisfied about that.
Do you find that coming from Lithuania and not, say, Norway, changes people’s attitude to your music given how fussy Metalheads can be?
Yeah, we are used to that, and even more. Now when our works are released under the French Osmose Productions, lots of people are changing their attitude to us, but nothing has changed within actually, we still are who we always were. The crowd has its collective consciousness, so you never know where the wave will bring you.
How is the Lithuanian Metal scene? Any new or up-and-coming bands you can recommend looking out for?
Metal scene in Lithuania is small and insignificant, but from time to time we have something promising. More than 10 years ago bands like POCCOLUS, GHOSTORM, RUINATION have released their albums via western companies, but faded in a very short period. I can recommend some now active bands like LUCTUS, DISSIMULATION, ANDAJA, NAHASH, KIELWATER, ARGHARUS.
Do you think Metal as a genre will still be here in say, another fifty years’ time?
Metal is already alive for almost 30 years, isn't it? I think it will go forth like a spiral, always taking back the roots.
What are your favourite albums of the moment, Metal or not?
My favourite album at the moment is Gr.Ob. "zachem sniatsia sny" (rock legend from Russia).
Would you describe you or your band-mates as party people? Does much alcohol get consumed, and if so, what’s your favourite poison?
We appreciate parties, and some of us like beer, whiskey, wine, or vodka, it depends on situation, ha, ha.
Thanks for your time, and good luck in the future! Do you have any closing comments for fans, or people who haven’t heard you out yet?
Thanks for the interview and hope to see you in our concerts! Hopefully we will visit a couple of venues in Europe in fall or winter of this year, keep burning!
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