Rock Monsters Romania

Have you ever listened to songs without lyrics but still perfectly understood their meaning? Have you ever felt that songs are too complicated and wished they could have a personal meaning just for you?

Three years after releasing “La Vale,” Am Fost La Munte Și Mi-a Plăcut released a new album, “I Went To The Mountain,” and trust me, it feels like a breath of fresh air for both Romanian post-rock and Romanian culture.

Why am I saying this, you may ask? Just like the album title, all the songs on the album are named after Romanian idioms translated into English, continuing the band’s tradition of using weird and funny song titles with a deeper meaning.

The album starts with “Needle For Your Waistcoat,” and in the first few seconds, you might think their style has changed. But it’s only a matter of time before you’re stung by the truth: the band remains the same post-rock act you love, now closer to perfection than ever.

The next song, “The Dogs Bark, The Bear Passes,” feels like a chase, with repetitive sections that mimic the sound of barking. The part after 1:40 gives the impression of hearing every step, adding a physical dimension to this proverb. The ending feels heavy, as if you’re witnessing all your problems closing in on you while you try to escape.

“Fighting The Windmills” feels like a continuous and vigorous battle against everything, with brief moments of rest and calmness before the struggle starts again. Meanwhile, “Towards My Shame” carries a sense of loneliness and internal rage that gradually fades as if trying to move past it. This transitions perfectly into “I Walk On Your Hand,” which feels like a fresh start: building trust in someone, evolving spiritually, and entering a calmer phase of life filled with fewer negative thoughts and more determined actions.

The calm is disrupted by work and responsibilities in “I Have Roads To Make,” with a faster rhythm and a hint of restlessness. It’s a reminder that life is constantly moving, and you need to keep up. If you don’t, dark times may follow—”Empty Elbows” is the perfect example, capturing the ongoing struggle to make it through each day.

“Breaking Ourselves Into Figures” is another masterpiece, capturing the feeling of relief and contentment after overcoming challenges, when life finally feels good again.

The album closes with “We Hold Each Other At Current,” a track that feels like a farewell, but not a permanent one. It sends shivers down your spine, reminding you that nothing lasts forever, whether it’s songs, albums, moments, people, or even life itself.

And now, we have to say goodbye to this album… But like all great music, it will always be here, waiting for us to return.

I love that you need to play the album in the correct order to fully grasp the story, yet the story is our own, one we’ve all experienced. We all go through different stages in life, checking off each step, but now we can reflect on these idioms and share a laugh. Some moments feel longer than others, especially when times are tough…

Back to the album, though, it’s a masterpiece, and I strongly believe it will become a landmark for future post-rock bands. Not just for Romanian bands, but likely for all Eastern European bands aiming for this genre.

And now, it’s time to find the light at the end of the tunnel and catch them on tour!

Review by Radu Mihai