| CD REVIEW Ade |
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Band : Ade This Rome based act was founded in 2007 by guitarist/ keyboardist Messor whom, after having studied the origin, past and costumes of his country came up with the idea of fusing the ancient Roman music (often based on Greek tunes, and used by both Greek and Romans in their warfare) with modern Death Metal, using lyrics both in English and Latin. Well, that's quite a novel approach, and certainly a worthy addition to the whole Death Metal circus! The guys [besides Messor the band consists of grunter Flavio, rhythm guitarist Fabio (also of Lord Vampyr), ancient instruments player Simone, bassist Giovanni "Caligula" Capaldo (has played with Damneds) and drummer Diego "Aeternus" Tasciotti (with a cv including having played with Lord Vampyr, Shadowsreign, Nailed God, Operation Genocide, Norway's Massemord, and Pavor Nocturnus, he can certainly be called the veteran in the band)] recorded a first 6-track EP titled Vltima Ratio (read the "v" as a "u") and released it in September 2008. In November/ December of the same year they were again found in the studio, recording 8 new tracks and a new version of one of their EP for their debut full-length Prooemivm Sangvine, which they self-released in September 2009. However, even before the release of the album the band increases its live appearances, playing seconds to the likes of Sinister, Dark Lunacy, and Gama Bomb, as well as performing at 2009's Wacken Open Air and Metal Disorder festivals. In December 2009, Ade sign to Casket Music, and now the album's finally more easily available to the rest of Europe (and the world alike). Doubtlessly influenced by such bands as Nile and Behemoth, the combination of ancient music and modern Death Metal has a freshness beyond compare. Ancient instruments used are the oud (a pear-shaped string instrument resembling a guitar), flute, the lyre, darbouk (a type of hand drum), and djembe. In some of the songs ("Timor Macilentvs" and the short 'instrumental' "Obsidio Noctv", which is a 'solo' for ancient instruments and female chant) there's also short female vocals/ chants to be heard, and at least in a couple of moments I hear an additional Blackened voice in the background. Yeah, I like Death metal overall, and when they come with musical contents and versatility as this one, I tend to take special notice, drown myself completely in the music, and end up adding such albums to my year-lists! To find out whether you like Ade, you only need to listen to the threesome of songs posted at myspace.com/adeproject, and perhaps even view the live videos posted there. Writing sessions for an upcoming album started back in June, and the guys projected a recording session to happen somewhere in January or February of 2011, again at Early Reflections Studio. A preliminary assessment by the band of their new tunes marks the new material as “much faster, more sinister, and very powerful, while also more epic”! I'm certainly looking forward to hear the end result! Epic...the word I failed to use above! Well, there you have it: Epic Ethnic Death Metal!!! 98/100 Tony. |