OBTEST have been started in late days of 1992, inspired by the then new and challenging Black Metal explosion, particularly in Scandinavia. Bands like Enslaved, Grand Belial’s Key, Mayhem, and Darkthrone had a huge inspirational effect on the youngsters. However, the fascination of the music they have been initially involved into Metal and grown up with [Manowar, AC/DC, Death, Grave] has never faded away, and that’s perhaps the explanation of the evolution OBTEST music has gone through years.
Still, their aim never was, never is and never will be to imitate anyone or copycat something that was already done before. Thus, through years they have made a remarkable shift from the raw bludgeoning Black Metal band in early demo days, through awe-inspiring Heathen/Black Metal on the debuting Tūkstantmetis record, up to Heathen War Metal tagged second album Auka Seniems Dievams that was full of catchy choruses and melodies simply ripping the heart apart. As the newest recordings prove, it was still not the end for their lookout of the optimal combination in Metal, and hell knows if there is gonna be the end as we know it at all.
Recently OBTEST sound has gone even more purified and closer to traditional Heavy Metal than ever before, not forgetting about the fast intense riffing and thundering rhythmics.
Lyrically the band was always very loyal to Heathen, historical, war and mythological themes, in spite of the musical changes. According to them, the concept is the running force for any devoted band – when you have a clear vision, sooner or later it materializes into something greater, music in this case. Written and sung in native Lithuanian, lyrical part of the band is always translated internationally, as OBTEST consider it very important for others to know what they are signing about. A very important characteristic: the band refuses to use any other musical means to perceive the Heathen ideas, except a standard Metal resources: vocals, guitar, bass and drums.
For eleven years now OBTEST is a fully charged live band too – that must be enough when speaking about the whirlwind they create during their shows. And far from only locally: OBTEST has taken part in two European tours so far [in 2000 and 2002 respectfully], shattering the stages of Germany, Finland, Netherlands, Slovenia, Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania along with Skyforger, Sear Bliss, Eminenz, Astrofaes, Temnozor, Bestial Mockery, Grief Of Emerald, Loits, etc. They have also enough of experience in various open air festivals like Open Hell [Czechia], Hard Rock Laager [Estonia], Baltijas Saule [Latvia], Kilkim Zaibu [Lithuania], Mototurnyras [Lithuania].
Recordings of the new, third album have been started around the same time when exclusive Dvylika JuodVarnių 7”EP vinyl was finished [late 2003], but it has taken some time for the band to complete it the way they thought it appropriate. During the course of writing the initial title was changed into Iš Kartos Į Kartą [From Generation To Generation], what perfectly sums up the idea behind the music and lyrics of current album.