Vicky
If you do some research to find out which Symphonic Metal bands come from Romania, you’ll come across groups such as Interitus Dei, Nocturnal Eternity, Whispering Woods, Symphress, Dark Æclipse, Magica, Adastia, and Aeon Sun. I recommend searching for these bands on your preferred streaming platform and giving their music a listen—they’re truly worth it.
Around the same time Interitus Dei emerged from the underground scene in 1997 with its Lonely White Idols album (released through Bestial Records), Haggard took Europe by storm with And Thou Shalt Trust… the Seer (released through Serenades Records). In nearly four decades of existence, Haggard has become a living legend, inspiring generations not only in their homeland, Germany, but across the entire world. When you listen to one of its albums—let’s say Tales of Ithiria (2008, Drakkar Records)—you’re transported into another universe, where the stories unfold before your eyes through both words and sound. Here, classical music and Death Metal blend majestically with poetic lyrics in English, German, and even Spanish (as on “Hijo de la Luna,” a cover of Mecano’s song of the same name). Some records also feature parts performed in Latin. The band’s current lineup includes several world-renowned Romanian musicians.
As I was saying, Haggard is one of the finest Symphonic Metal bands out there, even considered a “cult band.” That’s why musicians inspired by Haggard have formed tribute bands, such as Coincidentia Oppositorum (Romania) and Lux Astra (Colombia). For the remainder of this article, I’d like to focus on Coincidentia Oppositorum and its story. This group is more than just an average tribute band—it’s “a community of friends who dedicate their lives to music, art, and culture,” as one of the band’s brilliant vocalists, Anca Tiurean, stated on social media.
I recently listened to Coincidentia Oppositorum’s live performance at the Symphonic Metal Echoes festival—the only festival in Romania dedicated exclusively to promoting the Symphonic Metal movement—and here are my impressions: the group features three vocalists (two sopranos and one growler, much like Haggard), with one of the frontwomen also taking on tenor parts. Although the band’s growler doesn’t possess a voice as deep as Asis Nasseri (Haggard’s founder), this doesn’t diminish the overall sound. On the contrary, it gives the group a unique approach to the melodies crafted by the “Bards of Symphonic Metal.”
Coincidentia Oppositorum also collaborates with talented guest singers, such as harsh vocalist Brândușa Brumbea (of the Melodic Metalcore band OverBurn) and alto vocalist Gabriela Uțiu (who is also the band’s Social Media Manager and the Artistic Director of the Symphonic Metal Echoes Festival). You, too, can watch them live at SME here.
I must mention that Coincidentia Oppositorum’s live orchestra is on par with Haggard’s studio recordings—and perhaps even better than some of the orchestras used by German bands in live performances. This gives the band a rich, immersive sound that truly evokes the glory days of Haggard.
Sadly, Coincidentia Oppositorum’s rehearsal room burned to the ground, along with all their musical gear and equipment, in a violent fire on March 17, 2025. Thankfully, no one was injured. However, the damage amounted to approximately €10,000, prompting the band to launch a crowdfunding campaign. While they have already received some support, you can still help. Find out more about that devastating day and how to support Coincidentia Oppositorum here: The Day As Heaven Wept
Personally, I hope to see Coincidentia Oppositorum return to the stage soon. And I encourage you, dear readers, to listen to these New Bards of Symphonic Metal. I’d love to hear how their renditions of classic Haggard tracks made you feel.
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