Voltaj Explained

Voltaj
Landscape:yes
Background:group_or_band
Origin: Bucharest, Romania
Years Active:–present
Label:Roton, Cat Music, Electrecord
Associated Acts:Deepside Deejays
Current Members:Călin Goia
Gabi "Porcus" Constantin
Adrian M. Cristescu
Valeriu "Prunus" Ionescu
Oliver Sterian
Past Members:Cristi Minculescu
Adrian Ilie
Dan Cimpoieru
Horațiu Rad
Nikki Dinescu
Gabi Nacu
Cristi Ilie
Amedeo Bolohoi
Dan Mateescu
Doru "M.S." Istudor
Bogdan Cristea
Cristi Marinescu
Doru Borobeică
Manuel Savu
Eugen "Brebu" Sălceanu
Florin "Dog" Ionescu
Paul "Pampon" Neacșu
Bobby "Bobiță" Stoica
Tavi Colen

Voltaj (pronounced as /ro/; ro||voltage) is a Romanian pop rock group. They are widely regarded as one of the most successful bands in Romanian history, with songs such as "20", "De la capăt" and "De mâine" being household hits.

History

Voltaj was formed in 1982, in Bucharest, by: Horațiu Rad on bass, Nikki Dinescu (Krypton) on drums, Gabi Nacu (Krypton) on guitar, Cristi Minculescu (Iris) on vocals and Adrian Ilie (Iris) on guitar.[1] Their sound at the time was on the heavier side of hard rock, being one of the earliest examples of traditional heavy metal in the Romanian scene.[2]

During this period there were numerous changes in the line-up, all the disputes even spawning a second Voltaj, known as Voltaj 88, which also managed to release a couple of albums during the '90s.[3]

By the time of their 1996 debut, "Pericol de Moarte", only drummer Nikki Dinescu was left from the original line-up. The album, which also features Tavi Colen Talisman on vocals, is their only record in the heavy metal style.[4]

Starting with 1998 the two remaining members, bass player Vali Ionescu, and guitar player Gabi Constantin recruit a new line-up, with Bobby Stoica on keyboards which brought Călin Goia on vocals on board. With Goia's vocals and creative mind, the group rapidly grew in success and fame. With the release of the album, "Risc Maxim 2", the group switches its style to electronic-influenced pop-rock music. In 2002 they were joined by Oliver Sterian (son of Valeriu Sterian) on drums. Releasing numerous hit singles like "20 ani", "Albinuța", "De mâine", "De la capăt" and "Doar pentru ea", they have become one of the most widely-known groups in Romania.

They won the Best Romanian Act award at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2005. After winning Selecția Națională 2015, they represented Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "De la capăt", where they progressed out of their semi-final group to place 15th in the Final with 35 points.[5]

Band members

Discography

Studio albums

TitleDetails
Pericol de moarte (Deadly Danger)
Risk Maxim 2
  • Released: 1999
  • Labels: Roton Music
  • Formats: Download, CD, Cassette
Bungee
  • Released: 2000
  • Labels: Roton Music
  • Formats: Download, CD, Cassette
3D
  • Released: 2001
  • Labels: Cat Music
  • Formats: Download, CD,Cassette
424
  • Released: 2002
  • Labels: Cat Music
  • Formats: Download, CD, Cassette
Povestea oricui (Anyone's Story)
  • Released: 2004
  • Labels: Cat Music
  • Formats: Download, CD, Cassette
Revelator
  • Released: 2006
  • Labels: Cat Music
  • Formats: Download, CD, Cassette
V8
  • Released: 2009
  • Labels: Cat Music
  • Formats: Download, CD
Dă vina pe Voltaj (Blame Voltaj)
  • Released: 2012
  • Labels: Cat Music
  • Formats: Download, CD
X
  • Released: 2016
  • Labels: Cat Music
  • Formats: Download, CD
Ca La 20 De Ani
  • Released: 2019
  • Labels: Cat Music
  • Formats: Download, CD

Compilation albums

TitleDetails
Best of Voltaj
  • Released: 2003
  • Labels: Cat Music
  • Formats: Download, CD, 2 Volume Cassette
Integrala Voltaj (+ Voltaj's book)
  • Released: 2005
  • Labels: Cat Music
  • Formats: Download, CD
Remix
  • Released: 2005
  • Labels: Cat Music
  • Formats: Download, CD
Doza ta de muzică Voltaj (Your Dose of Voltaj Music)
  • Released: 2006
  • Labels: Cat Music
  • Formats: Download, CD

Singles

As lead artist

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
AUT
[6]
ICE
"Asta-i viaţa" (That's Life)1999Risk Maxim 2
"...Tu" (You)2002424
"Scrisoare" (Letter)
"Noapte bună" (Good Night)2003
"One Day I'll Win"2005Remix
"Da vina pe voltaj"2012Da vina pe voltaj
"Meci De Box"2014X
"De la capăt"70 48
"Om"2020
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://catmusic.ro/artists/voltaj/ "Voltaj Biography"
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XggSsJsy4E0"Compilation of early voltaj demos"
  3. https://www.discogs.com/artist/2182876-Voltaj-88"Voltaj 88 on discogs"
  4. https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Voltaj/66233"Voltaj"
  5. Web site: Romania: Voltaj Wins Selectia Nationala 2015!. Eurovoix.com. Granger. Anthony. 8 March 2015. 8 March 2015.
  6. Web site: Discografie Voltaj. Austrian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung). Hung. Steffen.