COMA

COMA - vocalists CATALIN and DAN, guitarist CALIN, bassist SORIN, drummer RAZVAN and dj HEFE - formed around 1999, releasing two albums so far: SOMN in 2001 and NEROSTITELE in 2006.



From the very beginning a DIY effort, the band never expected any help from “outside”. In search of a record deal, COMA faced the problem of being a little hard for Romania in a time when easy dance summer hits were at the top of all charts. They were the first band in the Romanian rock landscape who alternated heavy riffs, profound lyrics and screamed and warm vocals. They were the first band to abandon the way old-school rockers used to dress and gave Romania a glimpse of what was happening across its borders.



A record deal landed finally from A&A Records, a Warner Music licensee, and while it didn’t do anything for them, the guys worked hard at promoting their music in the old-fashioned way – as many concert appearances as possible. And the word spread quickly!



Their first video “Nu vreau fetito casa” (tr. Girl, I don't Wantto), which appeared in March 2000, was a parody of the Romanian music scene back then and attracted a great deal of attention towards the band. In the meantime the band was working on their first album, SOMN.



When it came to recording new videos COMA turned to Palme d’Or Award Winner MARIAN CRISAN (at that time, just starting out as a director) who directed their subsequent videos: "Bruzli Vs. Vandam" (a phonetic Romanian transcription of the names Bruce Lee and Van Damme), "Stai" (tr. Wait) and "In mine in soapta" (tr. In Me In Whisper).



After the first pressing sold out, the band faced the denial of a second pressing, as record labels in Romania did not want to take chances with what they thought was a risky and noncommercial genre. COMA didn’t sell much in comparison with foreign bands (4000 copies) but due to the lack of interest from the record label the fact that they sold out all copies in such a short time is a miracle in itself.



Both the country’s economic factors and the age of the members determined them to take a break and search for other ways to develop a good and stable base for their lives. Although they were on hiatus the public didn’t forget them and they appeared as opening acts for SEPULTURA, SOULFLY, DEFTONES and BORN FROM PAIN. Also, during this period they had some club gigs. Their fanbase still supporting them was a catalyst for going back to the studio and finally, work on NEROSTITELE began.



NEROSTITELE (tr. The Unspoken), their sophomore album, was released on November 30th 2006, in a special concert held in Bucharest's FIRE CLUB.

The album’s first video, "Coboara-ma-n Rai" (tr. Descend Me Into Heaven), was filmed entirely in infrared and was again directed by their long time director friend and Palme d’Or Award Winner MARIAN CRISAN. Two more videos have been released from this album.



Because the situation with the record labels didn’t improve, NEROSTITELE is a 100% independent product.

Although indie, the album has lots to offer: appearances from FAITH NO MORE bassist BILL GOULD, and ADRIAN DESPOT - lead singer of Romanian alternative rock band VITA DE VIE and also a collaboration with a Romanian hip hop artist – BRUGNER (B.R.G./Delikt/R.A.N.-S.).



There has also been a second video for "Canta-mi povestea" (tr. Sing My Story), but its promotion restricted and hindered by most major labels and tv stations still interested only in commercial music and bands, it was played constantly on original member HEFE's TV show, "BRING THE NOISE".



Outside the band, CATALIN collaborated, amongst others, with Bucharest hip-hop band DAGGA on their debut album, on "Cum am crescut" (tr. How I Grew Up) while DAN revealed, once again, his screaming skills on Romanian alternative-rap giants, DA HOOD, on a track named "De cate ori" (tr. How Many Times).



Currently the band, having recently completed the MACHO CARNALE & THE 6 MARIACHI TOUR, is back in the studio.



.stay tuned for additional tour information.



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