Romania's answer to Nightwish
Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 07/16/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Hereafter is the third release from Romanian metal band Magica, another in the growing legion of female-fronted metal bands that are attempting to follow in Nightwish's path to success. Magica is probably a tier below bands like After Forever and Epica, who since Nightwish's split with vocalist Tarja Turunen are arguably the genre's premiere acts.
Stylistically, Magica's sound brings to mind a mix of Nightwish circa Century Child and especially Austrian band Edenbridge. The keyboards have that Lanvall sound, and vocalist Ana Mladinovici's voice is similar to Sabine Edelsbacher's in that it's not overly operatic. This definitely works in Magica's favor with me, as I tend to tune out when the vocals go too far into opera territory. The music on hereafter is very melodic and relies on a heavy use of keyboards. The symphonic elements are kept to a minimum, and also come via keyboard. Essentially, this is everything you expect to hear in an album in this particular genre, with no real surprises (and no male vocals either).
It's nothing you haven't heard before, but Hereafter is still a very solid release that should appeal to those who love the old Nightwish sound.
"
Gothic music from Romania!
Shiloh Kremer | 05/11/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Current members (2009)
Ana Mladinovici - Vocals
Bogdan "Bat" Costea - Guitars
Sorin Vlad - Bass
6Fingers - Keyboards
Hertz - drums
Excellent album! Hereafter is the third album from the Romanian power metal band Magica.
Vocalist Ana Mladinovici has a similiar style to Sabine Edelsbacher of Edenbridge. Epic style songs with stories of spells and the inner struggle to save one's soul creates an intense and eerie feeling.
This is a five star album-
"