Magica - Dark Diary
CD Info
2010
AFM Records
11 Tracks
English Lyrics
Romania’s not famous for a lot of things, other than vampires, so it’s not the first place you might look for a strong Female Fronted Metal group. But Magica is a good one, and they’ve been around for a while. This is their fifth release and, from what I’m reading, it pretty much carries on the style Magica is known for in the first four. It’s said the band took it’s name from a 2002 Dio release. Maybe, I'm not sure. But history reports the band originated in February 2002 as a project of Bogdan Costea, guitarist (at that time of a local gothic metal band, Interitus Dei. Time passes, and in 2010 we have the current release, with some new personnel from the original release, but with some similar styles and themes.
Dark Diary is a topical production. It evolves from a literary work, "Dark Diary" written by Ioana Dorojan and describes one girl’s struggles with a ruthless society; one would think it comes from Romanian history, it not being a history that is particularly bright and illuminating. But it gives the music it’s direction, and it’s not always a pretty direction. The CD cover seems to reflect this theme, showing a young woman, carrying a book, which is, evidently, the diary in question.
Musically, the band takes a power metal approach to things. There is a keyboard component, and that keyboard is delivered by the interestingly named 6Fingers. It’s good stuff, but seems to be background material for most selections, unfortunately. What you hear is quite good, I wish we could hear more. However, it is reported that the band wanted the guitars more front and center and that’s what they got, these guitars pound on most numbers and are more than a little entertaining. Vocals are delivered by a sultry, dark haired Romanian, one Ana Mladinovici. Her vocals approach the operatic at times, however, she does more of a metal flavor on most numbers, albeit, a lovely metal vocal. Ana has classical training, after the fashion of many European musicians, and that training shows as her delivery soars and flows around the musical background that supports her.
It’s interesting to see a band this prolific. Five releases in 8 years is significant. The band suggests this is a result of several of their members being into music, one way or another, full time. They also suggest that there are fewer opportunities to tour in the East than there are in the West, thus leaving more time for writing and production. I’m not entirely familiar with all their other works; however, this one presents some seriously interesting writing, production and musical talent. These guys are clearly no beginners. However, that’s not to say there wasn’t good stuff before this release. Here’s a video from a previous CD that has always been of interest to me; one that gives a pretty interesting presentation of the band, and the land they are from. The official video from this CD is a little less dramatic. But, in my opinion, it features one of the best songs on the CD. And, it does give some great shots of the guitar players cranking it up. Oh, and, ah, the cleavage shots aren't bad either, not that I would ordinarily notice.
You could make an argument that the strongest songs on the CD are at the beginning, others have made that comment. I’m not all that sure, however, several of my favorites reside there. Tonight is certainly one of them. You could argue that it’s the heavier involvement of the keyboards that make this one of the more attractive numbers. The guitars are solid, but not as overpowering as in other selections. This is more of a symphonic direction, and one that allows the classical Mladinovici vocals to shine. That’s not to say there aren’t moments for the guitars. Magica loves the opportunity to deliver a guitar bridge in complete howling revelry and we get it here, as on most numbers.
Of course, we should point out that Magica can do beautiful. But they save that for the final selection. It’s a little out of character for the CD as a whole, but beautiful it is. The song is the title track, Dear Diary, and it captures the desperation and dark beauty of the original Diary. It’s pretty much limited to a classical piano, with a lovely vocal, our dark haired Romanian singing:
Dear diary
I am standing on the brink
Should I cross, should I back off
Again?
Dear diary
I should take some time to think
No one ever understands
My pain
I’m not sure everyone will like this selection as much as I do, people will buy this CD for the hard metal, but, for me, it closes out the concept with a touching remembrance of the pain that originated the work.
What most people will remember is the metal, the pounding metal that is the Magica trademark. On this CD you get those guitars, as heavy as you like. They’re thundering, with the drums doing double time to keep up, and the vocals streaking above like a screaming vampire in full flight. I kept having this returning visual while listening to several selections, of a live performance with a bunch of vampires in a mosh pit slam dancing to Transylvanian metal. Oh well, I have been told I have an overactive imagination on more than one occasion.
I would have to say that one of my favorite numbers on the CD is that one chosen for the Official video, Wait for Me. If you watched the video, you get a pretty good feel for how strong this Romanian metal crew is. The guitars work diligently, there’s a little tight keyboard work, the drums deliver a strong undercurrent with the base, and the vocals are outstanding. And, of course, with the CD, you’re not distracted by the cleavage that tends to get in the way on the video. Lyrics here also provide insight into the direction of the message:
Whatever happened I still don’t understand
Yet I am falling
I walked the right way
The righteous path I planned
But in vain –
Because
The world is eaten by monsters
Broken to pieces, can’t be repaired
I know cause I’ve tried
I beg you my savior
My guardian angel -
Take me by your side
Magica is another musical entity from Eastern Europe that is proving that the Female Fronted musical scene has highlights in all the strangest locations. The musicianship is as strong as anywhere; the vocals reflect that classical direction that tends to define this genre. And there is a musical message that, while we may not be altogether familiar with the original work, we can appreciate for the substance it represents. All in all, a significant release, from a significant band, and there to be enjoyed.
See their MySpace page here
9.5 / 10
