The Italian band Ade brings us its’ fifth full-length in their nearly 20-years existence. The band isn’t unknown but has also never really had a major breakthrough. Perhaps one of the reasons for that is that each album has been released on a different label. This record is released via Time to Kill Records and is called Supplicium. Ade is the Italian name for Hades, the god of the underworld in Greek mythology, and supplicium means in Latin: punishment, execution, or torture, often in a solemn or ritual context. Now you get one guess as to what kind of music we’re dealing with.
Well guessed, Ade indeed brings us brutal death metal, and with many traditional sound elements woven into the music. This is meant to create an ambiance as if you, together with the five musical gladiators, are going on a warpath among the elite soldiers of Julius Caesar. They strike mercilessly and do so with great success, just read the reports of previous battles like Rise of the Empire and Spartacus. Now, of course, the question remains: do the men keep up this level on the new record? Let’s quickly put on our chainmail, set the galea on our heads and head into battle!
Ten titanic battles await us, so make sure you’re prepared for what’s coming. Ade plays hard and with passion. And at the same time, there are many moments of reflection where you can imagine yourself being transported back almost 2000 years. The sometimes eastern-sounding musical additions also strongly enrich that feeling.
To highlight a few tracks, I’d like to take Vinum as an example where Ade presents itself in full regalia. Brutality everywhere and that’s also how it starts with a pounding and penetrating riff that comes across scorching. No mercy. The destruction just goes on; will there be no end to the torture? But luckily there’s the middle section where the band works towards epic forms. Here there is also room to solo intensely and create a bit of breathing space. Just for a moment, because it doesn’t take long before we stomp mercilessly on to the next stage.
Patibula begins majestically as if Emperor Nero is addressing his troops to announce the next battle. Then the track moves into pure death metal where the music sometimes flows as smoothly as freshly spilled blood running from the arenas of Rome through the architecturally sophisticated aqueducts. Besides that, the track stands out in recognizability and can be counted among the better songs on this album.
The track, Quartered by Chariots, consists of offbeat riffs with additional nuances through, among other things, horn-like wind instruments. Marching drums and a matching rhythm section follow, after which the riff machine is unleashed again. What a wonderful play between tempo, melody, aggression, and Roman atmosphere influences. As if Caligula poured his own twisted mind over the songwriting process. This is truly magnificent tormented madness, wrapped in a cloak of brilliance.
Wow. With just a few tracks described in a bit more depth, I hope to have given you an idea of what Ade brings. Overall it sounds in the style of Nile in its best days, Hideous Divinity, Hate Eternal also throw in a sestertius, and Fleshgod Apocalypse should also be mentioned because of the orchestral elements combined with brutality.
In conclusion, I am of the opinion that Ade has here written its best album of its career and I truly can’t stop listening. This record works for me and will definitely end up somewhere high on my year-end list. Listen, buy, and enjoy!
Score:
90/100
Label:
Time To Kill Records, 2025
Tracklisting:
- Ave Dis Pater
- Burnt Before Gods
- Ad Bestias!
- Let There Be Oblivion
- Vinum
- Patibula
- Quartered By Chariots
- Oderint Dum Metuant
- From Fault To Disfigurement
- Taedium Vivere
Line-up:
- Diocletianus – Vocals
- Fabius – Guitars
- Severus – Guitars
- Iulianus – Bass
- Atticus – Drums
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