Adai – Felo De Se EP – Review

Release Date: June 15th, 2010
Record Label: Cavity Records
Genre: Experimental Metal

Despite the lapse in band updates and the relatively quiet nature of their label Cavity Records, the building buzz that surrounds this Denver, CO duo isn’t surprising to say the least. Since their last EP in 2008, “I Carry,” Adai has toured the country and strengthened a fan base around their unique experimental metal. Their latest EP “Felo De Se” carries no less grandeur then before, and even further solidifies the genuine originality the band possesses.

Sure there are things I could nit-pick at. The muffled production is a miss, where cleaning the “air” and using a less fuzzy filter could have done wonders for their progressive sound, just look at the Deftones. The vocals shout and writhe in agony in the distance and I wasn’t sure if it was on purpose or not. If it wasn’t they might want to remove them all together (seeing as there are about 3 sentences spoken in the entire EP). That is where the problems end though. Adai is a simple team of two, using one for percussion and utilizing the other for guitars. This is where the group makes up for the troubles listed above. Using some sort of effects witchcraft, Devin is able to weave a wall of reverberated grungy guitars and phase pedals, that take on the appearance of two or three guitars. Let’s put it this way, I’ve heard bands with more members and instruments make less noise than Adai.

“Felo De Se” does cut short at around 20 minutes, but you are assured that each song will drench you in enough metal reverb that it will feel like you are in a hyperbolic chamber filled ten sub-woofers. Other bands like Oceana and Deftones may have similar styles that accomplish what Adai does with better production, but like the old wisdom conveys, “All that is gold does not glitter,” and this intensely raw and fuzzy experimental metal is about 18 carats. ~Staff

Score: 4/5

Track Listing:
1. Trigger
2. Powder
3. Ammunition 
4. Bodies
5. Graves