OnderStroom Records / Belgium / RE 2022 / 12"
Aroma Di Amore (AdA) was a pioneering Belgian cult band active from the early 1980s, known for their innovative blend of electronics and rock, combined with sharp, poetic Flemish lyrics and unconventional song structures. Gaining a loyal following in Belgium and abroad, they concluded their career after 40 years with a final run of concerts and a vinyl box set (1983–1987).
Their breakthrough came at the 1982 Rock Rally, where they stood out with a bold sound rooted in post-punk and cold wave, inspired by bands like Joy Division and Wire. Frontman Elvis Peeters (Jos Verlooy) and guitarist Fred Angst(Gerry Vergult) drove the band's creative force, blending literary absurdism with dark musical textures. Peeters brought a punk-poetic edge to their lyrics, while Angst shaped their sound with metallic riffs and later explored solo and electronic music under the name Zool.
AdA's themes often tackled war, nuclear anxiety, and social critique, exemplified in songs like "Lauwe Oorlog" (1983), where the band even requested moments of silence during performances. Their debut mini-album Koude Oorlog (1984), released on indie label PIAS, bypassed mainstream media but earned underground acclaim and international interest.
Their biggest success came with the single "Voor De Dood", now a cult classic. Albums like De Sfeer Van Grote Dagenand Harde Feiten were critically praised, though commercial reception was modest. Internal changes and label issues slowed momentum, but the band continued experimenting and touring, including a short Swiss tour and an unexpectedly successful show in Valencia, Spain.
Their 1987 release Koudvuur, considered by the band as their best work, received lukewarm attention, marking the end of their most active period. Nonetheless, Aroma Di Amore remains a unique and influential force in Belgian underground music, blending activism, art, and sonic intensity.