Voltaj (; ) is a Romanian pop rock group. They are widely regarded as one of the most successful bands in Romanian history, known for popular 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."Voltaj Biography". catmusic.ro. Retrieved 9 May 2020 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."Compilation of early voltaj demos". youtube.com. Retrieved 9 May 2020
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.
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.
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.
Band members Current members Călin Goia (vocals) Gabi "Porcus" Constantin (electric guitar) Adrian Cristescu (keyboards) Valeriu "Prunus" Ionescu (bass guitar) Oliver Sterian (drums)
Former members Cristi Minculescu (voice) Adrian Ilie (guitar) Dan Cimpoieru (guitar) Horațiu Rad (bass) Nikki Dinescu (drums) Gabi Nacu (guitar) Cristi Ilie (voice) Amedeo Bolohoi (guitar) Dan Mateescu (bass) Doru "M.S." Istudor (drums) Bogdan Cristea (voice) Cristi Marinescu (guitar) Doru Borobeică (bass) Manuel Savu (guitar) Eugen "Brebu" Sălceanu (keyboards) Florin "Dog" Ionescu (drums) Paul "Pampon" Neacșu (drums) Bobby "Bobiță" Stoica (keyboards) Tavi Colen (vocals)
Discography Studio albums Title Details Pericol de moarte (Deadly Danger) Released: 1996 Labels: Roton Music Formats: Download, CD, Cassette 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 Title Details 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 Title Year Peak chart positions Album AUT ICE "Asta-i viaţa" (That's Life) 1999 — — Risk Maxim 2 "...Tu" (You) 2002 — — 424 "Scrisoare" (Letter) — — "Noapte bună" (Good Night) 2003 — — "One Day I'll Win" 2005 — — Remix "Da vina pe voltaj" 2012 — — Da vina pe voltaj "Meci De Box" 2014 — — X "De la capăt" 70 48 "Om" 2020 — — "—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
As featured artist Title Year Album "Vocea Ta"(Cabron featuring Voltaj) 2014
References
External links
Official site Interview Bobby Stoica (keyboardist Voltaj) Interview Calin Goia (singer Voltaj)