Aroma Di Amore is a group that made a … Read Full Bio ↴NEW ALBUM 'SAMIZDAT' OUT NOW!
Aroma Di Amore is a group that made a trademark out of their biting and politically inspired lyrics. From the liner notes of the compilation album "Radikal", published in 1993 : "Aroma di Amore have always been outsiders, even within the confinement of the alternative rock circuit. Their peculiar blend of raw guitars, electronics, Dutch lyrics and unconventional song structures was too hybrid for many. Those however who, without prejudice, would lend an ear to the band's music, discovered an energetic, authentic and uncompromising collective that stood above al trends".
The nucleus of the band consists of Elvis Peeters, the singer, ("who in an inimitable, possessed way delivered his highly original lyrics") and Fred Angst on bass and later on guitars ("mastering the heaviest riffs as well as refined tapestries of sound"). The band was formed in Mechelen in 1981 with Andrea Smits on keyboards.
They came to the public eye during the final of the Rock Rally of 1982. Their minimalist new-wave was first released on vinyl with the debut single "Gorilla, dans de samba / Dobberman / Isabella Avondrood" of 1983, but it was only with the mini-album"Koude Oorlog" (Cold war) of 1984 that the band showed it's full potential. It was received by Télé-Moustique as follows : "Aroma di Amore has chosen the cold war as the theme of their first album. It is right to speak of a somber battle : against the vain lightness of contemporary productions, the group launches seven icy missiles with mechanical rhythms, torturous bass, tormented voice and pointillist keyboards. All that with lyrics that are far from funny." Ahem.
As it is stated in "Wit-Lof from Belgium" : "Aroma di Amore initially smelled a bit like Arbeid Adelt!, but grew out to be a consistent rock-combo that left nothing to the imagination with political and Dutch-language lyrics. Madness, war, cynicism and singer Elvis Peeters at the No-Nukes campaign in Florennes".
A bit later the 12" 'Voor De Dood' followed, a record that now is considered to be a classic. With this one, Aroma Di Amore makes its mark on the belpop of the eighties. Fred Angst, under the name of Fred A., also released two mini-albums at that time, of which 'Ik en mezelf' (me and myself) features on the playlists of Studio Brussel for some time. He also devoted some of his time to producing other bands, such as Mensen Blaffen or the solo-escapades of Rudolf Hecke.
From the bio : "At that period, AdA also grows up to be a welcome guest on the Flemish and Dutch stages, not only because of the inexhaustible energy the group radiates, but also because of the strong visual elements in their performance".
After another mini-album ("De sfeer van grote dagen") and a 12" ("Zonder omzien"), they release their first full album "Harde feiten" (hard facts) in 1986. In the meantime, Peeters en Angst also release a satire on the Eurovision-songcontest as "Bange Konijnen".
In 1987, the group shrinks to a trio (Peeters, Angst & Wout Dockx on bass), and releases the more extreme second album "Koudvuur". "Despite the fact that Aroma Di Amore think of this album as their most consistent material", the media starts to take less interest in the band and the record firm dumps them. At the end of 1987, the group ceases to exist.
Peeters & Angst go on to perform on stage with a music-theater show and continue to tour the low countries.
In 1993, record company Antler releases "Radikal", a compilation and overview of the AdA-career. To celebrate the relative success of the album, the group reforms and go on a highly successful tour with Ludo Vervliet on bass and Dick Van Hoegaerden on drums.
Elvis Peeters continues his musical career with De Legende. http://www.myspace.com/delegende
Fred Angst formed the dance-orientated band Kolk, and later the instrumental electronica-project Zool. http://www.zool.be
By the end of 2004 they reformed for another succesful reunion tour with Lo Meulen on bass and Luc Van Acker at the mixing console.
By the end of 2009 the band releases an anthology (double-cd) called 'Onverdeeld' on Onderstroom Recordings.
In spring 2010 the band releases 'Ongehoord', a vinyl-only album of never before released tracks.
The new album 'Samizdat' was released on April 15th. 'Samizdat' is the first album with new songs since 1987.
Band members :
- Elvis Peeters (aka Jos Verlooy - vocals, clarinette)
- Fred Angst (aka Gerry Vergult - guitars, bass, programming)
- Lo Meulen (aka Lode Vandermeulen - bass)
Former band members:
- Wout Dockx (bass)
- Ludo Vervliet (bass)
- Dick Van Hoegaerden (drums)
- Frits De Cauter (sax, deceased in 1990)
- Andrea Smits (aka Ria De Boodt - keyboards)
- H.K. (aka Luc Van Cappellen - guitar)
Fé
Aroma di Amore Lyrics
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maar ze willen voort
voor elke mens
een nieuw exemplaar
ze hebben de tijd van de wereld
ze verroeren geen vin
ze begrijpen elkaar
ze willen graag een ijzeren hand
ze houden hun ogen
op elkaar gericht
voor elke blik
een fotonegatief
ze hebben een kijk op de wereld
ze ontleden elkaar
ze stellen elkaar scherp
ze willen graag een geslepen oog
ze staan aan de rand
maar ze willen voort
voor elke pees
een levendig metaal
ze tellen de tijd van de wereld
ze vertrekken geen spier
ze ontkennen elkaar
ze willen graag een ijzeren hand
The lyrics to Aroma di Amore's song "Fe" describe a group of individuals who are on the brink of something new and uncertain, yet they are determined to move forward. The first stanza depicts these individuals as being close to the edge (dicht bij de rand), but rather than being deterred, they persist (ze willen voort). They envision a new world where every person has a new start (voor elke mens een nieuw exemplaar), and they are willing to take all the time in the world to achieve this goal (ze hebben de tijd van de wereld). They are united in their purpose and understanding of one another (ze verroeren geen vin, ze begrijpen elkaar), but they recognize the need for strong leadership and guidance (ze willen graag een ijzeren hand).
The second stanza shifts the focus to these individuals' keen observations of each other and the world around them. They are focused on one another (ze houden hun ogen op elkaar gericht), and every glance is like a photographic negative (voor elke blik een fotonegatief). They analyze the world with a sharp eye and disassemble each other (ze hebben een kijk op de wereld, ze ontleden elkaar), all with the purpose of honing their skills (ze stellen elkaar scherp). They crave the ability to see clearly in a world that seems to be full of ambiguity and murkiness (ze willen graag een geslepen oog).
The final stanza furthers the determination of these individuals to keep pushing forward. They are standing at the edge (ze staan aan de rand), but they refuse to stay there (ze willen voort). They see potential in the unknown and seek to transform the ordinary into something exceptional (voor elke pees een levendig metaal). Time is of the essence, and they take great care not to waste a single moment (ze tellen de tijd van de wereld, ze vertrekken geen spier). They acknowledge their differences (ze ontkennen elkaar), but they still yearn for strong leadership and control (ze willen graag een ijzeren hand).
Overall, "Fe" embodies a feeling of ambition, strength, and unity. The individuals in the song recognize the need for leadership and guidance, but they are not afraid to think critically and analyze the world around them. They are on the cusp of something new and exciting, and they are determined to see it through to the end.
Line by Line Meaning
dicht bij de rand
They are close to the edge
maar ze willen voort
But they want to continue
voor elke mens
For every person
een nieuw exemplaar
A new example
ze hebben de tijd van de wereld
They have all the time in the world
ze verroeren geen vin
They don't move a muscle
ze begrijpen elkaar
They understand each other
ze willen graag een ijzeren hand
They want an iron hand
ze houden hun ogen
They keep their eyes
op elkaar gericht
Focused on each other
voor elke blik
For every glance
een fotonegatief
A photonegative
ze hebben een kijk op de wereld
They have a view of the world
ze ontleden elkaar
They dissect each other
ze stellen elkaar scherp
They sharpen each other
ze willen graag een geslepen oog
They want a sharp eye
ze staan aan de rand
They are standing at the edge
maar ze willen voort
But they want to keep going
voor elke pees
For every sinew
een levendig metaal
A lively metal
ze tellen de tijd van de wereld
They count the time of the world
ze vertrekken geen spier
They don't move a muscle
ze ontkennen elkaar
They deny each other
ze willen graag een ijzeren hand
They want an iron hand
Contributed by Keira G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.