Is it really worth going to a Symphonic Metal show?

Vicky

Your favorite teenager underground Dark Metal (Symphonic, Doom, Gothic, Black, Death Metal – to name a few) specialist is back with an answer to a question most of us have probably got. Or, at least, to a question I’ve been getting since I first mentioned my musical styles of choice: is it really worth going to a Symphonic Metal show? To be brief, yes. Why? Find out in the next few lines.

I recently went to a local festival that promotes this kind of music. I am speaking here about Symphonic Metal Echoes, that has been taking place for the past two summers in the Alba Carolina Citadel, in the city of Alba Iulia, Alba county, Transylvania, Romania. Honestly, this trip has made me feel like I managed somehow to go back to my origins, since about half of my family was born in the Alba county (in the Abrud town).

Symphonic Metal Echoes lasted for three days, from August 22 to 24. On the first day, the lineup was composed of: Symphress, DinUmbră, Mist of Misery, and Clouds. On the second day, we witnessed the performance of the bands: Maskeratt, Zgripsorum, Orkrist, and Soulfallen. And, on the last day, we saw Endless Dark, Evadne, Medusian, and Lamentari live. In the remainder of this article, I would like to focus on a few bands that have amazed me. And those are: Mist of Misery, Orkrist, and Endless Dark.

As I was saying, my “wow” moment of the first night was Mist of Misery. I didn’t expect them to like their Symphonic Black Metal, but I did. Both on and backstage, the members of this band are surprising. With their melancholic, DSBM-esque symphonies, Mist of Misery definitely deserves checking out, whether you enjoy Black Metal or not. I promise to return with more details about their albums (they are that good!). Until then, for your first listen, I would suggest the track “Severance”, which Mist performed brilliantly at SME.

Orkrist made my day on August 23 with their Symphonic infused Folk/Gothic/Death Metal. I loved the vocal duo between the harsh vocalist Grom and the very versatile Ivett Dudás. Not only are they extraordinary musicians, but they (the whole Orkrist lineup) are also very nice people. I, for one, enjoyed their performance as much as I liked speaking to them. Now, setlist-wise, they performed songs such as my favorite, “The One Who Rides The Dragon”, “Nocturnal Rite”, and other really good ones like these. To be fair, I think everyone who is reading this article should go see Orkrist live, they will blow your mind!

Endless Dark has a very special sound, and I must confess that I was very happy to finally see these talented Doom Gothic metalists live. They performed 100% live, without any pre-recorded instruments playing in the background, the way one could expect from Metal bands worldwide. Honestly, ED’s show was a breath of fresh air, and the conversations backstage were equally great. Overall, I would have to say that I’ve probably never seen a Romanian Dark Metal band with a stage presence and determination remotely similar to that of Endless Dark. I foresee beautiful things for them in the next few years.

I want to begin the conclusion of this article by thanking the organising team: ASMM, Peace of Art – music school, and especially the following: Cristina, Frater Taciturnus, Gabriela, Anca, Silvia, Ella, Edmond, Alex, Andrei, and Tudor, for their hospitality and, also, for throwing such a wonderful event. Here I must also mention the presence of two very professional and skilled people: Lenți Chiriac from București FM, and the goth DJ Padre, who played a very important role in throwing the after parties, every night after the headliners’ shows.

All of the bands present were phenomenal. I am honored to say that I know the members of all of these groups personally. I am lucky to call Mitchell, Luella, Isak, Daniel, and Rasmus of Medusian my friends, and I am grateful for all the lovely moments we have shared in three festival days. Also, I would like to give a shout-out to Alex, Moro, Matei, Cătălin, and Rareș, of Zgripsorum, and Rareș of Ossyrium, who are great people and whom I’m happy I got the chance to meet, talk and hang out with. Last but not least, I would like to mention the members of Symphress, DinUmbră, Clouds, Maskeratt, Soulfallen, Endless Dark, and Evadne, who were awesome, both on- and off-stage. You were all brilliant, I hope we will meet again sometime soon!

In case I forgot to mention before, I guarantee you will read another article by me in which you’ll find out more about how and why it really is worth going to a Symphonic Metal show.