Rock Monsters Romania

Text by Denisa Ruzsa
Photos by Bogdan Draghici

On the weekend of July 11–12, 2025, the 13th edition of the most beloved rock festival on the banks of the Mureș River took place at Periam Port: Rock la Mureș. With a lineup that blended established bands like Chaoseum and Macanache, and fresh names like Yvonne and Monokrom, this year’s edition also strengthened its presence in the electro/rap scene, gathering fans from all over the country and even from countries like Germany, Austria, Serbia and Hungary.

I always come to Periam Port with joy for the people who gather here, for the music, for the nature, for the camping nights, and especially for this festival. One of the most beautiful things about Rock la Mureș is the people. The crowd is incredibly friendly, and so are the organizers that are always present and ready to lend a hand whenever needed. 

If you’re planning to attend Rock la Mureș, I highly recommend opting for the camping area. This year, the organizers equipped the site with proper showers and restrooms. We were lucky to enjoy refreshingly cool summer weather, perfect for a festival, the only thing that was a bit frustrating, though understandable, was the over-the-top checks and security. 

The police presence was massive. I saw so many officers around that I began to wonder if they were secretly metalheads too. We were checked at the campsite, in our cars, at the entrance, and even during the festival. Romania is currently facing an ongoing national discussion around drug use, with authorities running frequent anti-drug campaigns and taking a stricter approach at festivals in general. 

Despite all that, the festival was absolutely amazing, especially from an organizational point of view. Everything ran smoothly, the staff and volunteers were helpful and well-prepared, and the entire experience felt welcoming, and thoughtfully put together.

Friday, July 11

The festival opened at 5:30 PM with Monokrom, a punk/alternative-industrial band well known in Timișoara and winners of the Best Rock Band award at the 2024 Timișoara Music Awards. Their gritty punk set was the perfect start, quickly grabbing the audience’s attention. I had seen Monokrom once before, completely by chance, at a concert in Timișoara, and I can confidently say they’re one of the strongest local acts around. They truly deserve all the hype.

At 6:30 PM, Next Ice Age, a gothic rock/post-punk band from Konstanz, Germany, took over. They started out in the early ’90s as a Joy Division cover band before finding their own voice through original compositions. Their nostalgic and powerful sound captivated the crowd.

As night began to fall, the 2004-born band Downstroy from Serbia hit the stage with a brutal metalcore/groove metal set that had the audience headbanging. Mosh pits started forming, signaling the festival is just getting started. 

At 9:00 PM, Anchorage, a melodic death metal band from Austria with strong modern influences, brought a well-balanced set that catered both to new fans and old-school metalheads. For the very first time, and exclusively at Rock la Mureș, they introduced Emma, their new vocalist, who impressed everyone with her powerful stage presence. The band even threw in a nostalgic emo cover that really hit home for many of us.

Next came Watch Me Rise, a melodic hardcore band from Germany. Their lyrics about inner struggles and unity were chanted by fans at the front. They first played at the festival in 2023, and their return this year was more than welcome. The lead singer’s connection with the crowd, talking between songs and inviting fans to chat after the show, was a highlight. This kind of artist-audience interaction, where musicians show empathy and genuine interest in local culture, is something rare and deeply appreciated.

At 11:30 PM, Choseum, a nu-metal/deathcore band from Switzerland formed in 2018 by Loic Duruz and Valery Veings, closed the night. If you’re a fan of Korn, you’ll instantly like them live, their presence, instrumental performance, and vocals all sounded amazing. Their breakdowns hit like a hammer, and the live show was flawless from start to finish. Big props to the organizers for handling the sound perfectly, definitely a thumbs up! Their professionalism and energy were the perfect way to end the first night of the festival.

Saturday, July 12

Day two started at 6:00 PM with Yvonne, a local rising indie-rock artist. Her youthful energy, authenticity, and heartfelt lyrics created a beautiful and genuine stage presence. She brought a fresh vibe and showed she can rock, too, a great way to kick off Saturday evening. 

The day experienced a delay of around one to two hours, so the schedule was adjusted by shortening some set times and pushing back later performances to accommodate the change without compromising the overall experience.

At 7:15 PM, Howl Like Wolves, a German metalcore band, brought their A-game. Their performance was intense and polished. I was surprised they played so early, though, metalcore in daylight doesn’t quite hit the same as under the cover of night. Personally, I would’ve switched their set time with the next band.

Schéppe Siwen, a unique folk punk band from Luxembourg, took the stage at 8:15 PM and absolutely blew everyone away. Mixing traditional instruments like the accordion with punk energy and metal edge, their set was a wild, genre-bending ride. Coming right after a heavy deathcore act, the shift in vibe was extreme, but also kind of refreshing. Their stage presence, humor, and interaction with the audience made it one of the most entertaining performances of the weekend. Even the most hardcore black metal fans found themselves dancing and smiling.

At 9:45 PM, one of the most anticipated acts took the stage: Partizan. With a signature mix of alternative rock, electro sounds, and witty, often ironic lyrics, the band has long been recognized as one of Romania’s most original and creative musical voices. Founded by former members of Timpuri Noi, Partizan stands out through their theatrical presence, sharp social commentary, and memorable songs like „Fata mea” and „Păpușea masculină,” which have become cult hits over the years.

Their performance started strong, and the crowd was clearly excited, cheering, singing along, and ready for nostalgia. However, the energy shifted when the vocalist made several remarks about the younger crowd „not knowing their songs” and about the audience not being responsive enough. 

What could have been a powerful moment of intergenerational connection turned into an awkward atmosphere that left many feeling talked down to rather than engaged. Instead of feeling connected, we felt scolded, like being lectured in class.

I understand opinions may vary, but respect should go both ways: just as the public should appreciate the artists, so should the artists respect the people who make their presence on stage possible. They’re capable of delivering unforgettable performances, but these kinds of attitudes may ruin one’s mood.

Cred că sunt extraterestru took the stage and elevated the vibe to something that felt more „spiritual”. Their set blended into the rock vibe of the festival, even if stylistically different. I was pleasantly surprised by how well their sound fit the atmosphere, especially since I hadn’t seen them live before. The crowd sang along to lines like „Focul arde în mine, nu mai vreau să fug” in what became one of the most emotional moments of the entire festival.

The night closed with Macanache, whose presence was truly one-of-a-kind. Slightly tipsy when he got on stage, he mixed humor, spontaneity, and his flow into a freestyle-driven set that got everyone moving. What made his performance memorable was his raw, honest personality, constantly dropping advice to the younger generation in between verses. It was unexpected, chaotic in the best way, and a surprisingly good fit for a rock festival.

A weekend of music, connection and campfire moments you won’t forget

Beyond the music, Rock la Mureș 2025 was about community and nature, the camping area was full of life, people jamming on guitars, cooking together, exchanging band recommendations, or simply enjoying the nature around them. One of the best parts of the whole experience was this sense of belonging. Rock la Mureș is pet friendly, and it was heartwarming to see so many happy animals with their humans, enjoying the good vibes.

Rock la Mureș it’s a space for authenticity, friendship, and freedom. It might not be the biggest or flashiest festival out there, but for many of the people that live in this region, it’s one of the most meaningful. Whether you’re a hardcore metalhead, an indie soul, or just someone looking for a weekend of real connection in nature, Rock la Mureș is a place you need to experience at least once.

We’ll definitely be back in 2026, or at least, you can bet we hope so! It would be great to see an even wider variety of metal subgenres represented on stage next time. I also really appreciated the electro stage this year, which brought a fresh vibe to the festival. Looking forward to more diverse lineups and unforgettable moments at Rock la Mureș!