I finally have some time to write something around here. And I'll start with a concert I have seen on the 21st of March in Bucharest: Super Metal Live, featuring the bands:

FORTRESS OF FAITH ( [link] )
TRUE MIND ( [link] )
INOPIA ( [link] )
TIARRA ( [link] )
and MAGICA ( [link] ) as a headliner.

It was a great occasion to escape from home, so I didn't think too much; I grabbed my backsack, bought my train tickets and there I went.
The event took place in Live Metal Club, location of which I didn't hear too many good things. But in the end it was not that bad. The room was small, but large enough to have a decent number of metalheads inside. The sound couldn't be fixed propperly, but it was ok and one with ears could understand what was going on on the stage. The only thing I can complain about was the smoke, a little too much for my lungs and eyes to stand. But let's get to the important things.
The first band that came on the stage was FORTRESS OF FAITH. So far I hadn't got the chance to hear too much of their music, except some bad quality videos I saw on youtube. But now after I saw them, I must say it: the band playes very well, the songs sound awsome and their singer, Vanda, has a very beautiful voice that really blew me away. Also, the cover they had chosen- Pink Floyd-High Hopes- sounded very interesting and nice, I really liked it, though I usually don't accept covers for this song. Very good job, guys and girl! I hope to see this band again some time soon.
TRUE MIND was almost unknown to me, too; again, long live youtube. The singer reminded me a little of Simone Simons, though her voice was much softer. Maybe they would have sounded much better if Anna sang a little louder and if the sound was a little better. The songs were ok, but the guitars covered the girl's voice, the sound was very tricky and there were annoying noises covering the music all the time, so in the end I didn't understand too well what was going on there. I hope next time they'll have better techicians to fix their sound.
I discovered INOPIA here on myspace some time ago and I was impressed by the fact that these people study music and theatre. I listened to the song they had on their profile and I loved it, so I eagerly waited to see them live, especially because they released their first album at this concert. The band was very tight, the songs were beautiful, very dinamic, bombastic and powerful, and I can say with all my honesty that, for a first album, INOPIA did a more than great job and I'm sure many bands would love to sound like that at their first album. I wish them good luck, all the best and keep up the good job!
TIARRA is one of my favourite bands since 2006 when I discovered them in the dark jungle of the internet and I listened to their demo album. I was impressed about their instruments, Anda's beautiful voice and, of course, their songs. It takes courage to have a gothic-doom band with female voice these days, and to come with something original, but they did it. Of course, the sound at the venue was far from being perfect, the stage was too small for so many musicians, but they did a great job and I'm glad I saw them live. Can't wait for a new concert!
Finally, MAGICA, my favourite Romanian band and actually one of my favourite bands. Also, the singer Ana Mladinovici is my favourite singer, together with Tarja Turunen, though they only have in common the classical training. The concert started in full power with the song Just For Two Coins, a song I really wanted to hear live, and continued with Witch's Broom, Don't Wanna Kill, They Stole the Sun, Shallow Grave, Ice Queen (Within Temptation cover), Black Lace, This Is Who I Am. A nice surprise was the second cover, The Final Countdown (Europe). I must admit, Europe is one of those bands I only like to hear in original, no covers allowed. But these guys and girl did a wonderful job, and Ana's voice proved to be very flexible and managed to show the power and energy of this song. And it seems I wasn't the only one blown away by their show. The band was called back three times!
Beautiful concert, very good bands, nice memories. I don't regret the little trip I made, I don't regret the fact that I was very tired at the end. On the contrary, I'm happy I did it and I'm ready to do it again