EP Review: Ex Deo - Year Of The Four Emperors
Reviewed by Sam Jones
If there’s one band where I will just drop everything to check out a new release, its Ex Deo. Formed in 2008 from the United States by Kataklysm frontman Maurizio Iacono, Ex Deo bases their identity around ancient Roman history and its surrounding mythology. Their first Single, Split and album, Romulus, all came out in 2009 and immediately set the band on a strong path forwards. Another three years down the line they put out their second, and my personal favourite album, Caligvla, and some years later the band teased numerous singles in preparation for album three: The Immortal Wars. But there was no stopping them as a 2021 Single was released, followed suit by their fourth full length record: The Thirteen Years Of Nero. Now, four years later, we come to Ex Deo’s newest release of music in just as long a time with a new EP titled Year Of The Four Emperors. Is this indicative of a new album on the horizon? Let’s look at this new EP and see where Ex Deo are at. Year Of The Four Emperors is due out January 10th through Reigning Phoenix Music.
It may only be four tracks however Ex Deo ensure this EP dedicates one track per emperor according to the title’s subject, but whilst this is a smaller work released by the band the production quality usually ascribed to Ex Deo’s full lengths hasn’t been glossed over here. When one listens to each track, one can feel the regal power inherent in any of Ex Deo’s previous recordings; given the attention allotted towards the status of emperors, you can feel the gravitas with ease that the band ooze with. With the additional injections of voiceovers and the symphonic edge it’s as if we’re receiving a full fledged history lesson as opposed to merely experiencing another EP. By the time this EP is done you’ll feel as at home amongst the histories of this volatile period of Roman history as anything in recent western civilisation. I also appreciate how each track is long enough for us to feel the essence of each emperor through each succeeding track; had these tracks been a little shorter I doubt the impact would have been as strong.
It’s great to acknowledge Ex Deo’s command of the symphonic element within their songwriting; often, when bands wish to enact this style of orchestral strength within extreme metal, it can be overdone to the overwhelming detriment of the conventional instrumentation. But Ex Deo have been writing music of this nature for approaching two decades now and thus have a fervent understanding of what not, and should, do. When this EP and its various tracks are underway, you’re under no allusions that the orchestral aspect is the domineering element for the drums, through their bass drums, or the guitar work, channelling Ex Deo’s signature, bold crunch, are amongst the band’s primary avenue for eliciting our interest and prolonged engagement. The band may bring their strings and brass sections to the forefront but these are temporary, held in position for a moment before they’re relegated back to the further reaches of the soundscape. These pieces are audible at every moment of your time with Ex Deo here but the band demonstrate to us, and themselves, how they wish to conduct the more bombastic aspect that could very easily be shoved in our countenance if it were in juvenile hands.
Noted for his vocal work amongst Kataklysm, Maurizio Iacono’s deliveries here are as crisp and sublime as they were during Ex Deo’s formative days. I’d argue it’s his vocal work that truly rounds out the band’s identity and the attitude they exude, for one couldn’t sport a softer style of vocal performance when spouting ancient Roman history and mythology; it therefore constructs a rapport between ourselves and the band that not only do the band understand what they’re playing about but they truly believe in the power and glory that was once upon a time the Roman way of life. The blunt and clear deliveries that Iacono throws out is mirrored beat for beat with the riffs as the two entwine one another, crafting a shared synergy where one is bolstering the other and vice versa. Ultimately the vocals conjure a majesty and prowess lost with the fall of Rome in antiquity’s days and owing to the strength imbued within Maurizio’s vocal presence, we believe sincerity bound up within the band’s full performance. This is no meagre EP release, but evidently a rallying cry for a new album.
In conclusion, if this is a stepping stone towards another album, a demonstration of where Ex Deo currently are, I personally am ecstatic to discover what will be waiting to be discovered upon that future full length release. For what this EP offers, it’s such a rewarding listen since each song features on a unique emperor of the time but it also feels like we are slowly progressing through that select history up to Vespasian, who founded the Flavian dynasty, becoming a significant part of the roman empire’s heyday. Granted this is only a smaller release by the band but its entertainment factor is by no means diminished for Ex Deo bring the equal passion and love for this subject matter as they would for their full lengths. It’s a well written and composed EP that, should an upcoming full length harbour just as great quality as this Year Of The Four Emperors EP, we are in for a treat.
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