IRIS is a Romanian hard rock band. It was established in 1977 by Ioan Dumitrescu (drums), Ion Olteanu (lead solo guitar and vocals) and Emil Lechinţeanu (bass guitar).

They achieved huge success, followed by tours throughout Romania and recordings for radio broadcast and is one of the best Romanian rock bands.

In 2006, IRIS had been nominated at MTV Romanian Music Awards for Best Band, Best Rock and Best Live Act and won Best Rock.

The story of IRIS began in 1977 with Nutu Olteanu, Emil Lechiteanu, Nelu Dumitrescu. Through the years, the band has experienced many line-up changes.

On 17 October 1997 IRIS celebrated 20 years of existence with a concert at Sala Polivalenta in Bucharest. At the anniversary concert, active members of IRIS and former members delighted the audience.

For over 2 hours and 30 minutes in front of 5000 people they played songs like: "Corabia cu pînze", "Floare de Iris", "Călătorul", "Trenul fără nas", "Speranţa", "De ce oare ai plecat?", "Sa nu crezi nimic", "Baby, Baby".

Three weeks late after the 20 years concert Iris released "20 DE ANI" (20 years). The album has 13 tracks, from the live concert, like "Pamîntul îl cuprind", "Călătorul", "Trenul fără nas", "Speranta", "Iris, nu pleca", "Pe ape", "Mirage", "Cine ma striga în noapte", "Valuri", "Floare de iris", "Tot zbor", "Baby", "Somn bizar".

In 2000, the biggest concert of a Romanian band is organised, the mega-tour ATHENAEUM and the album with the same name. Two years later, the first DVD of an Romanian band, DIGITAL ATHENAEUM, which has recordings from concerts during the history, was released.