Over four decades after their debut album ‘Exécution’, ADX are still going strong, releasing some of their finest work to date in the last ten years or so. That includes their brand new album ‘13ème Choc’, which serves as evidence that the French heavy metal pioneers have lost nothing of their power. Founding drummer Didier ‘Dog’ Bouchard talks about the state of ADX these days.

“There has been an intentional difference between our approach on ‘L’Empire du Crépuscule’ (2024) and how the songs on ‘13ème Choc’ turned out”, Bouchard explains. “We have deliberately been leaning more towards a thrash metal sound on certain songs, but all whilst retaining the melodic ADX style. However, you could say we have toughened up for ‘13ème Choc’.

Lyrically, the concept has remained the same for ‘13ème Choc’. We base our lyrics on historical facts that aren’t typically taught in school. After all, the history of France is every bit as varied and every bit as bloody as British history, for example. We adapt the lyrics to the atmosphere of the music or vice versa. It really all depends on what the song is about.

To give you an example: on the new album, there is a song called ‘L’Ombre des Hussards’, and the rhythm evokes the charge of the cavalry. It was important for us to bring out that atmosphere in the song. The lyrics are often written before the music, so that really gives us the chance to adapt them to whatever the song needs, so it ends up sounding just right.”

All the Tricks

Bouchard and singer Phil Grélaud are the only remaining original members of the band, though guitarist Néo has been an integral part of the band’s four most recent albums. Guitarist Fred Allanic and bassist Jules Brosset make their second appearance with ADX on ‘13ème Choc’. “The input from the new musicians can be beneficial”, Bouchard emphasizes. “But it’s also important to have a certain stability in the band. To make a song sound like ADX, I think you have to have been in the band since the beginning. Phil and I know all the tricks to come up with the right mix.

It has become second nature to us. Sometimes, it can be a challenge, though. For us, a good ADX song is a song with a memorable chorus that the audience will sing along at concerts. And I’m not going to lie to you: if it’s a fast song with breaks that appear to come from out of nowhere, it’s a winner to me. We have handled the songwriting process like we usually do. If an idea is shit, it goes in the trash. If it gives us chills, we keep it and continue working on it.

For ‘13ème Choc’, we have chosen to give the guitars a little more room to shine. It’s not like the new members have brought a particular influence into our music, except for maybe in the way they play their guitar solos. But they are perfectly integrated into the arrangements of the songs.

When it comes to gear and instruments, we have a specialist in the band in Néo, who was practically born with a guitar in his hands. He is always up-to-date on the latest releases, and he tries out a lot of gear – whether it’s guitars, amplifiers, effects… He always knows what is best for the band.”

Complete Freedom to Express Ideas

Outside of the band itself, the band has gathered a number of trusted companions as well, such as Francis Caste, who recorded, mixed and mastered every ADX album since 2016’s ‘Non Serviam’, and Stan-W Decker, who made all ADX album cover artworks since 2014’s ‘Ultimatum’. “When we started working with Francis Caste, we all felt that this guy was going to do something very important with us”, Bouchard says. “This guy thinks like us, he appreciates our music, and he brings in ideas that fit the core sound of ADX.

His work on our albums is invaluable. Also, since we are a band that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and we have a sense of humor that can often be considered quite dark, Francis fits right in with our style. He is a great guy, and we love him.

Like Francis Caste, Mr. Stan Decker is also a very important part of what we do. He is a part of the ADX family as well. Usually, the ideas for the album covers come from Phil and me, and then Stan gets to add his own touch to it. He has complete freedom to express his ideas when working on our covers. We speak the same language, and it’s very easy to work with him. Also, he is incredibly talented.”

People from Different Generations

“As songwriters and composers, we have come to know over time if a song that we have written will please the audience or not. It has become easier for us to make that call these days, possibly because we have grown older. We have matured like wise, old sages, and we don’t need to prove ourselves anymore. All we need to do is to bring joy to others, and find the joy without ourselves.

With thirteen studio albums under our belt, it has become more and more difficult to choose the right songs for a setlist. We can’t leave out ‘Exécution’, which has launched our career, or the standout tracks from our early albums. Even though that part of it is difficult, the concerts ADX gives are still a party. Everyone should be able to sing along and have a nice time. In certain countries, we do adapt the songs to be faster or heavier, especially when we play in Northern Europe.

There is still a heavy metal audience in France, despite the death metal craze we had to live through. For us, true heavy metal was born in the eighties, but we are happy to see people from different generations at our concerts. This is very gratifying. When a 50-year-old guy sings an ADX song with his children and his grandchildren, we can tell ourselves that we at least have done something well, and we can be proud of what we have done. ADX is still going, and we will be for a long time to come.”