Ex Deo - Roman Empire-themed neosymphonic extreme metal

Ex Deo

Year of the Four Emperors

Reigning Phoenix Music

10 January 2025

In their early days the Canadian band Kataklysm (1991-present) was impossibly fast, brutal death grind with the deranged growling of Sylvain Houde (from 1991 to 1998), like on their 1992 demo or their blazing 1993 EP, which are unhinged exercises in the extremity of the time. After three demos, two EPs and four albums, album number five, in 2001 Epic (The Poetry of War) saw them keeping the speed and heaviness, but by that time they had hit upon a more melodic approach, while still retaining extreme drumming, blasting, heavy riffing, and vocals, now done by bassist Maurizio Iacono. That particular album also had Roman Empire-themed lyrics, probably influenced by the tremendously successful 2000 movie Gladiator. Striking while the iron was hot, the band had another album in 2002 called Shadows & Dust, which begins with a speech from the movie Gladiator. This was a productive period for the band, as they also had albums in 2004 and 2006. They have continued putting out albums in regularly throughout their history, even nowadays, but it does seem like around that time they were making albums at a faster pace.

Anyway, in 2009 Kataklysm vocalist Maurizio Iacono came out with a new solo project called Ex Deo, a Roman Empire-themed neosymphonic, melodic extreme sound, as if to say that, for him, the topics of the Roman Empire had not been exhausted and wanted to do more in that direction. Fast forward to 2025 and this EP right here. The EP comes after four previous albums, continuing their established sound. Nowadays the solo project has become a second band for the members of Kataklysm, given that all the members of Kataklysm also work on Ex Deo. Lyrically, the title "Year of the Four Emperors" is a reference to the year 69 AD, with governors and military commanders seeking to become the top-dog dictator, only to be overthrown by an equally violent, greedy and corrupt top-dog in succession (hence the name of the four songs): Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian. The EP continues with the formula of Ex Deo: neosymphonic, catchy, groove-oriented pompous extreme metal.

If you are a student of history or if you have an interest in the history of the early Roman Empire, maybe read this brief Wikipedia summary for the context of the power struggles between these aspiring dictators to be recognized as all-powerful emperors.

"The Year of the Four Emperors, AD 69, was the first civil war of the Roman Empire, during which four emperors ruled in succession: Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian. It is considered an important interval, marking the transition from the Julio-Claudians, the first imperial dynasty, to the Flavian dynasty. The period witnessed several rebellions and claimants, with shifting allegiances and widespread turmoil in Rome and the provinces.

In 68, Vindex, legate of Gallia Lugdunensis, revolted against Nero and encouraged Galba, governor of Hispania, to claim the Empire. The latter was proclaimed emperor by his legion in early April. He was notably supported by Otho, legate of Lusitania. Soon after, the legate of a legion in Africa, Clodius Macer, also rebelled against Nero. Vindex was defeated by the Rhine legions at the Battle of Vesontio, but they too rebelled against Nero. Finally, on 9 June 68, Nero took his own life after being declared a public enemy by the Senate, which made Galba the new emperor. However, Galba was unable to establish his authority over the Empire, as several of his supporters were disappointed by his lack of gratitude. He especially adopted Piso Licinianus as heir (Galba was childless and elderly), instead of Otho, who, it had widely been assumed, would be chosen. Angered by this disgrace, Otho murdered Galba on 15 January with the help of the Praetorian Guard, and became emperor instead. Unlike Galba, he rapidly earned considerable popularity, notably by bestowing favours and emulating Nero's successful early years.

Otho still had to face another claimant, Vitellius, who had been acclaimed by the legions of the Rhine on 1 January 69. Vitellius won the First Battle of Bedriacum on 14 April, defeating the emperor. Otho took his own life the next day, and Vitellius was appointed emperor by the Senate on 19 April. The new emperor had little support outside of his veterans from the German legions, though. When Vespasian, legate of Syria, made his bid known, he received the allegiance of the legions of the Danube as well as many former supporters of Galba and Otho. After his acclamation in Alexandria on 1 July, Vespasian sent his friend Mucianus with a part of his army to fight Vitellius, but the Danubian legions commanded by Antonius Primus had not waited for Mucianus and defeated Vitellius' legions at the Second Battle of Bedriacum on 24 October. Vitellius was subsequently killed by a mob on 20 December. Mucianus arrived several days after and swiftly secured Vespasian's position in Rome (Primus had acted independently from him).

The death of Vitellius did not end the civil war, as the Rhine legions still rejected the rule of Vespasian and the new Flavian dynasty. Some Batavi provincials led by Civilis had fought them since Vitellius' acclamation. In 70, the new regime finally won the legions' surrender after negotiations, mainly because they lacked an alternative to Vespasian. Later, the new regime distorted the events—especially through the writings of the historian Tacitus—in order to remove the embarrassment of having relied on the Batavi to fight Roman legions. The Batavi were therefore said to have revolted against Rome, and the events dubbed the Revolt of the Batavi."

EX DEO - Vespasian (Official Lyric Video)

https://www.facebook.com/exdeo