OnderStroom Records / Belgium / RE 2022
Aroma Di Amore (AdA) was a pioneering Belgian cult band that emerged in the early 1980s, blending electronics with post-punk rock, and distinguished by their razor-sharp Flemish lyrics, politically charged content, and experimental song structures. Fronted by Elvis Peeters (Jos Verlooy) and guitarist/composer Fred Angst (Gerry Vergult), the band quickly gained notoriety at the 1982 Rock Rally and developed a loyal following in Belgium and abroad.
Influenced by Joy Division, Wire, and the broader cold wave movement, AdA’s music ranged from absurdist anthems to dark, poetic critiques of war and politics. Their anti-nuclear stance was a central theme, exemplified in tracks like "Lauwe Oorlog".
Throughout the 1980s, AdA released a series of cult classics, including Koude Oorlog (1984) and their most iconic track, "Voor De Dood". Despite critical acclaim for albums like De Sfeer Van Grote Dagen and Harde Feiten, commercial success was limited, and lineup changes and label issues disrupted their momentum.
By 1987, after releasing Koudvuur and a brief resurgence, the band’s activity waned. However, their legacy endured, and 40 years after their founding, AdA concluded their career with farewell concerts and a vinyl box set (1983–1987), cementing their status as one of Belgium’s most influential underground bands.