OnderStroom Records / Belgium / RE 2022 / 12"
Aroma Di Amore (AdA) was a groundbreaking Belgian cult band active from the early 1980s, known for fusing rock with electronics, sharp Flemish lyrics, and unconventional song structures. Their music was a mix of post-punk, cold wave, and biting social commentary, earning them a strong underground following in Belgium and abroad. After four decades, they wrapped up their career with a final series of concerts and a vinyl box set (1983–1987).
The band debuted at the 1982 Rock Rally, impressing with their dark, driven sound and poetic, often absurd lyrics. Frontman Elvis Peeters (Jos Verlooy) and guitarist Fred Angst (Gerry Vergult) were the creative forces behind the group. Peeters, originally a punk poet, brought a literary and political edge, while Angst shaped their sound with metallic riffs and later pursued solo and electronic work as Zool.
AdA’s music often addressed war, nuclear fear, and societal unrest, exemplified by the haunting "Lauwe Oorlog"(1983). Despite being overlooked by mainstream press, albums like Koude Oorlog (1984) and the single "Voor De Dood"(still their most iconic track) gained traction in alternative scenes across Europe and Canada.
Though critically acclaimed albums like De Sfeer Van Grote Dagen and Harde Feiten followed, the band struggled with poor sales, label delays, and internal changes. After a brief pause and lineup shifts, they released Koudvuur (1987), viewed by the band as their best work, though it too received a muted response. Nevertheless, they found success abroad, particularly in Spain, and left behind a lasting legacy as Belgium’s most influential underground band.