Rock Monsters Romania

Day 6 of QFest came with a diversity of genres for the metal enjoyers. From the sci-fi thrash metal band, Redux, to the post black/doom metal band, Dymna Lotva, this festival night offered a large emotional spectrum. The stage was brought alive as well by the performances of the other three bands, Hangover in Minsk, which is a side project of Dymna Lotva’s members; Wormgod and Crimena.

Opening the night, Redux delivered an unique set of sci-fi infused thrash metal that captured the crowd’s attention. Their sound was fast and fascinating and their performance was better than I expected.

Hangover in Minsk is a band that I had been really looking forward to seeing live. As a fan of Dymna Lotva, it was easy to connect with their new project, even though the sound and the overall theme are clearly different. I was fascinated by Nokt’s energy on stage. She moved with a kind of primal confidence, channeling every emotion into her voice and gestures, as if there were no barriers between her and the music. It was a really fun experience to attend their show, they threw garlands and balloons in shape of beer to the crowd and everyone seemed to enjoy the moment.

Wormgod brought an entirely different kind of energy to the stage. Their performance was raw, intense, and unapologetically aggressive. Their sound was a true melody to my ears despite the growls specific to the black metal genre that other people would find unbearable. It was one of those performances that reminded you why live metal is such a visceral experience. The experience would have been complete with a moshpit but who am I to judge how people choose to enjoy a show. Nevertheless, it was a great show and I would like to attend their future concerts as well.

Crimena came with their violent groove metal songs that immediately grabbed the audience’s attention. The band’s energy on stage was confident and playful, fully engaging the crowd from start to finish. The vocalist’s interaction with the audience added a personal touch, joking between songs and encouraging everyone to get involved, turning the performance into a shared, immersive experience. Even those unfamiliar with their music, like me, couldn’t help but be drawn in by the intensity and charisma of the band. Crimena’s set was a perfect mix of aggression and fun, leaving the crowd fully entertained after their show.

Dymna Lotva closed the night with a deeply atmospheric and emotionally charged performance. I was so happy that they managed to have another show in Romania this year because sadly I couldn’t attend their first show at Underground for the Masses. Their post-black/doom metal sound enveloped the stage in layers of melancholy and intensity, creating a haunting and almost ritualistic mood. Every note, every vocal line, carried weight, alternating between sorrowful clean passages and anguished screams that resonated with the audience on a visceral level. I was mesmerised by everything happening on the stage and felt like I was in another world, with only my deepest emotions around me. It is a show that I would gladly recommend to anyone for its intensity and sensitivity.

I can’t find the words to describe what a rollercoaster of emotions (and genres) this night was but what I can say is that it was the perfect show for a rainy weather and I can’t wait to see what Q Fest brings to us next year.

Review by Anca Samoilă