Rock Monsters Romania

On December 10, E-an-na will release “NOMAD”, an album regarded as one of the band’s most ambitious projects, raising high expectations among fans.

As E-an-na was one of the few bands that inspired the continuation of the Rock Monsters Romania project, I must admit I may not be entirely objective, but I promise to do my best.

I’ve known E-an-na since their beginnings, but I followed them even more closely after their success at Wacken. I listened to “Sârbă Ciobănească” so many times that Spotify temporarily blocked the song on my account for a week. I watched their Eurovision performance with “Malere” and saw them play sold-out shows after “Alveolar”. But now… it’s time for “NOMAD”.

NOMAD

The first song, which also gives the album its name, signals that this musical journey will explore various styles and cultures, elements already present in this track.

It begins with a riff that reminds me of “Fântânile de la Capătul Pământului” and beautifully blends Roxana’s angelic voice with the classic E-an-na growls we all love. I believe this song bridges the old and new E-an-na, presenting a vision rooted in their evolving style while seamlessly synchronizing the transition.

SAMSARA

Already released as a single, “Samsara” is the first song on the album (chronologically) that fully immerses us in the journey.

It has a different style compared to “Nomad” and reminds me a bit of the Serate versions, but heavier. Around the second minute, a brief appearance of Andrei’s voice feels like a mosh-pit break in the middle of this danceable track. I knew it, I loved it, and I’ll probably add it to my first non-metal party playlist, even though I’m sure it’ll scare a few people.

CASA CERULUI

Imagine going on a holiday, entering a Buddhist temple deep in a forest, and hearing a monk playing a flute… but this time, it’s Solomonar.

Roxana’s voice, combined with the instrumental, feels divine, like a pause from everything (especially considering the chaos of the past month). It’s a reminder of the world’s fragility but also of finding beauty in dark surroundings.

My honest reaction after the first listen? Wow. I’ll probably have it on repeat instead of carols this year.

LOTUS

It continues with the Asian vibe in “Lotus” as well. (Yes, I saw it coming from the name, no surprises there.) But this one feels different.

It transports you far away from people, into the heart of nature, near a tranquil lake. It’s a journey where moments of calm and bursts of rage blend into a new, healing memory. As the song fades away, so do your thoughts, leaving you ready to embrace a new chapter…

ISHTAR

Named after the Babylonian goddess, the song feels like an encounter with both a good and a bad spirit, merging into a dialogue about religion and spirituality.

The riffs, and especially the intro, feel like the start of a boss fight, a tension that persists until the very end. When “Eşti la mila mea” (“You are at my mercy”) hits, it reminds me of the BUSTED screen in GTA games. I might have ruined the magic with that comparison, so sorry about that.

RĂTĂCIT

I expected a song but got a musical interlude that feels like it splits the album into two parts, right after the encounter with the goddess.

The journey continues…

NESFÂRȘIT

A new era begins, but the pain of the past remains, and it’s clear from the very first second, where I had to double-check whether it was still E-an-na or a Swedish Power Metal band. That vibe repeats consistently throughout the song.

The highlight, in my opinion, is the interplay between Roxana and Andrei. Their vocal repetition amplifies the message more than expected, like an echo in your head, an angry one. The folk influences are still subtly noticeable in the riff transitions, though less prominent than before. This adds a touch of surprise in the second half and raises expectations for the tracks to come.

MANTRA

“Când zgomotul m-apasă, eu dau liniștea mai tare” (“When the noise weighs me down, I turn up the silence”) is probably the best lyric on the album, or at least one of my favorites.

The entire song feels like a dream, but a calming one,perfect for meditation or simply taking a break from your own thoughts.

365

“365” was the last single released by the band, and it’s one of those songs you instantly know is a masterpiece from the very first note.

It’s full of mythical references yet conveys relatable emotions we encounter every day. After all, every day is a search for something better, and every year follows the same cycle, doesn’t it? I really love how the lyrics sound in combination with the riffs on this track. The mix feels better here compared to the other songs, allowing the lyrics to come through more clearly and naturally.

SCRUM

“Is that Piper??? And Paul?” was probably everyone’s first reaction, right? When I first heard it, I thought it sounded like a collaboration between Linkin Park and Dirty Shirt, which made me wonder who was behind this song.

For me, “Scrum” is confirmation of the wide genre range E-an-na can reach in a single track, especially considering it’s under two and a half minutes long.

It feels like another “Malere”-style song, one that could draw in non-metalheads and introduce them to the band. I’d say fans of bands like HVNDS or BERZERK will especially love this one, but it’s a song for everyone. The concept is beautifully executed, and I’d love to hear an EP of 4-5 tracks in this style in the future.

MIRAJ

I’m honestly at a loss for words with this one… if you thought “Scrum” was the craziest song on the album, you were probably mistaken.

Even though I feel like this track would have worked better as a single and stands out a bit from the rest of the album, it’s a masterpiece. It reminds me of the Turkish songs you hear on TV shows, both in its sound and lyrics. But it’s also a track where I feel it could have benefited from a heavier riff and some more full metal sections.

It’s another song that could easily be a hit for non-metalheads, which is incredible. I can’t wait to show it to some people who claim they’ll never listen to rock music in their lifetime.

EFEMER

“Efemer” was the first single released from the album, though I initially thought “Şi cu asta basta” was the first one, but it’s not on the album.

This is the only song I’d consider fully “old” E-an-na, and it feels very nostalgic compared to the rest of the album. I feel like it could have been a part of “Alveolar”. The entire track serves as a reminder that it’s still the same E-an-na. Nothing has changed apart from the new songs, and they will continue making music with the same passion, even though the genre has shifted slightly, and that’s what really matters.

AUTOPORTRET

Reaching the end isn’t always a beautiful thing, but this time it is. In a calming, mostly acoustic manner, “Autoportret” brings an emotional conclusion to a beautiful journey.

The song serves as both an invitation and a reminder to reflect on where we are, what we have, and who we have in our lives. The solution isn’t to be found elsewhere; it can only be found within, and only you can change how you feel in most situations.

The “Nomad” journey started with dance, continued with dance and meditation, and ended with nostalgia and reflection. It’s a complete album that tells a story about us more than about the band.

Review by Radu Mihai