ADE have been doing their thing with the Roman Empire approach to death metal for over 15 years at this point. Seems like every new album, somehow the ‘unsung heroes’ or ‘undiscovered gem’ continues to unfortunately be something the band cannot seem to shed. Not sure the reason, considering the absolute smoothness that they continue to employ when it comes to delivering frantic, technical death metal that has done for Rome what Nile has done for Egypt. Nevertheless, Supplicium is their newest release, and if any of what was already said feels applicable to you, it’s worth an immediate investigation.
Supplicium continues to showcase ADE at their absolute best. ADE can do some absolutely devastating speed runs, complete with the shellshock-inducing tech barrage, but within the same track, they can also showcase some tasteful use of cultural/atmospheric notes. “Ad Bestias” is an excellent example of what ADE can do in that very regard. Jackhammering drums and high-speed riffing that’s both melodic and dizzying at the same time, but not without some cinematic atmosphere that makes you feel pulled into their Roman aesthetic. Their strongest suit is how they can pull off the massive inclusion of this aesthetic without compromising the visceral energy of the music in the least. “Quartered by Chariots” is as urgent and chaotic as any given Hate Eternal track at it’s most frenetic, yet it interjects moments of epic folk instrumentation to give it a fresh feel. “Oderint Dum Metuant” steps up the instrumentation even further, causing an attention-grabbing clash between the shredding riffs and Roman atmosphere in the best way possible as blasts mix in with a wide variety of instruments that you wouldn’t expect in music such as this. It’s unrelenting, but also thrilling and sticks with you due to it’s different elements. By the time you reach the closing track, “Taedium Vivere” you will be won over by it’s thoroughly epic approach that hits some melodic arrangements that pull you in, only to devastate you with pummeling riffs and blasts.
Few can pull off the level of epic and genuine integration that ADE continue to do in their militant and brutal approach to showcasing Roman history through death metal. It’s a riveting and heavy experience that death metal fans are bound to be captivated by, but it also has a way with Roman instrumentation that immerses you and makes the music even more cinematic and memorable, without disrupting the metallic flow. Supplicium is another stand out effort that one can only hope gives them the attention they deserve.