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Magica
Magica - Dark Diary

Anywhere But Home
Tonight
Never Like You
Wait For Me
Need
Release My Demons
On The Side Of Evil
My Kin My Enemy
Used To Be An Angel
We Are Horde
Dear Diary

Romanian symphonic metal troupe Magica have warbled and widdled their way through the best part of the last decade, supporting bands like Leaves Eyes and After Forever and releasing five albums, the latest being ‘Dark Diary’, an endearingly pretty effort streaked with darkness and spiced here and there with traditional Romanian sounds.

Frenetic opener ‘Anywhere But Home’ is typical of Magica’s style; drum-driven rhythm, thrumming guitar riffs and strong vocals with multi-layered harmonies. ‘Never Like You’ is a heavier offering, utilising the keyboards to much greater effect. The edgy ‘My Kin My Enemy’ has a chorus of unsettling harmonies, giving the lyrics particular resonance. ‘Release My Demons’ is a simple but enjoyable song with a galloping pace and catchy chorus.

‘Dark Diary’ is fine standing alone but a lot of its impact comes from vocalist Ana’s Mladinovici spirited voice. As a band, Magica haven’t progressed a great deal and against the heavyweights of the genre their music falls well behind. There is enough on ‘Dark Diary’ to keep Magica fans happy but the Romanians might fail to cast their spell on anyone else.

Reviewed by Annette Simmonds.
‘Dark Diary’ is out now on Afm.
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Magica