Cargo | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Timișoara, Romania |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels | Electrecord, Vivo, MediaPro Music |
| Members | Octavian Pilan Adrian Igrișan Alin Achim Ionuț Cârjă |
| Website | https://cargorock.ro/ |
Cargo is a Romanian heavy metal band from Timișoara.[a]
Cargo was formed by Adrian Bărar in 1985, after he quit the new wave band Autostop. The original line-up was Tavi Iepan (guitar), Carol Bleich (drums), Tiberiu Gajdo (bass), Dinel Tollea (keyboards) and Adrian Bărar (guitar, vocals).[2]
In 1988, the group recruited Ovidiu Ioncu "Kempes" as their new vocalist. He would stay with the band for the next 15 years, lending his voice to 4 full-length albums. During these years, Cargo toured the country extensively, playing numerous festivals, and receiving radio airplay, becoming the most well-known heavy metal band in the country.[3]
In 2003, Kempes decided to leave the band, and emigrate to Australia, so the vocal duties were taken over by guitarist Adrian Igrișan.[4] After considering to organize auditions for a new vocalist, they finally decided on leaving Igrișan to handle both guitar and vocals. With this line-up they recorded their 5th album, Spiritus Sanctus, which was released the same year. The power ballad "Dacă ploaia s-ar opri" received massive airplay on both radio and television, with Cargo becoming a household name in Romania. It is still one of the most commonly played tracks in Romanian media.[5]
The band continues to play live, often being invited to play at large open-air events.
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