Should you like your historical past with a splash of loss of life steel, have we obtained a advice for you. Alternately, if you happen to’re a fan of historic loss of life steel, Ex Deo is gonna scratch all these itches with their new EP, Yr of the 4 Emperors. An ongoing concern since 2008, courtesy of Kataklysm frontman Maurizio Iacono (and a few of his Kataklysm bandmates), Ex Deo have issued 4 earlier symphonic loss of life steel releases targeted on numerous historic matters/topics, largely Roman.
Although earlier efforts have been launched through Napalm Information and Nuclear Blast, the upcoming EP, Yr of the 4 Emperors, arrives courtesy of Reigning Phoenix Music. This one sees the band—Jean-François Dagenais (guitars), Stéphane Barbe (guitars), Dano Apekian (bass), James Payne (drums)—raging by way of 4 mini epics centered on one among Rome’s most tumultuous intervals: AD 69. It covers the relentless ambition, treachery, and warfare that outlined the reigns of Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian.
We gave the band the chance to supply some in-depth evaluation of the 4 crushers on the brand new EP, set for launch January 10. You possibly can place your preorder right here.
Additionally, take a look at the Ex Deo 2025 tour dates for each Europe and North America beneath.
“Galba”
Blood and greed mark the daybreak of turmoil.
Galba rises from the ashes of Nero’s reign, a tyrant cloaked within the guise of savior. The monitor mirrors his ruthless ascent, dominated by unrelenting riffs and venomous proclamations of energy. His insatiable starvation for wealth and domination units the tone for the chaos to comply with. Because the partitions of Rome shut in, the Praetorian Guard turns in opposition to him in a violent crescendo, heralding his downfall. Galba’s story is a chilling testomony to hubris and betrayal.
“Otho”
The loyal turned traitor, consumed by ambition.
The story of Otho is one among fractured loyalty and inevitable tragedy. Opening with an ominous lament, the tune erupts right into a battle cry as Otho schemes to say the throne. His confrontation with Vitellius on the Battle of Bedriacum is rendered in blistering tempo and agonized growls, evoking the blood-soaked fields. As Otho faces defeat and chooses suicide over extended strife, the tune slows to a mournful dirge, a tribute to his fleeting grasp on future.
“Vitellius”
The butcher topped, destined for destroy.
A darkish and relentless anthem, this monitor embodies Vitellius’ brutal reign. The music swells with martial depth, reflecting his thirst for conquest and the savagery that outlined his rule. From the echoes of his allegiance to Nero to the inevitable conflict with Vespasian’s forces, the tune crescendos into chaos. The lyrics reveal a person pushed by bloodlust but powerless to flee his destiny. Vitellius’ violent finish is portrayed with haunting finality, a reminder of Rome’s risky energy.
“Vespasian”
The rise of order, cast within the flames of warfare.
The EP’s closing monitor is an anthem of resilience and renewal. Vespasian emerges as a determine of stability amid the chaos, and the music displays his calculated power. Triumphant melodies intertwine with thunderous percussion, capturing his consolidation of energy and the restoration of Rome’s fractured empire. The lyrics exalt Vespasian because the harbinger of a brand new period, culminating in a powerful declaration of victory and legacy. His reign ushers within the Flavian dynasty and a semblance of peace.
1/2 Hamburg, GER Markthalle
1/3 Oberhausen, GER Turbinenhalle 2
1/5 St. Niklaas, BEL De On line casino
1/7 London, UK O2 Academy Islington
1/8 Paris, FRA La Machine
1/9 Toulouse, FRA Bikini
1/10 Burgos, SPA Sala Anden
1/11 Madrid, SPA Sala del Wizink
1/12 Barcelona, SPA Razzmatazz 2
1/14 Lyon, FRA La Ryaonne
1/15 Trezzo sull’Adda, ITA Reside Membership
1/16 Zurich, SWI Komplex 457
1/17 Munich, GER Backstage Werk
1/18 Budapest, HUN Barba Negra
1/19 Zagreb, CRO Boogaloo
1/21 Vienna, AUT Simm Metropolis
1/22 Kosice, SLO Colloseum
1/23 Wroclaw, POL A2
1/24 Prague, CZE Meet Manufacturing unit
1/25 Leipzig, GER Hellraiser
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
2/10 Houston, TX White Oak Music Corridor
2/11 Dallas, TX Granada Theater
2/12 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theater
2/13 Mesa, AZ Nile Theater
2/14 San Diego, CA Brick by Brick
2/15 San Francisco, CA DNA Lounge
2/16 Los Angeles, CA 1720
2/17 Las Vegas, NV Sinwave
2/19 Denver, CO The Oriental Theater
2/20 Lawrence, KS Granada Theater
2/21 St. Paul, MN Amsterdam Bar & Corridor
2/22 Joliet, IL The Forge
2/23 Cleveland, OH TempleLive Cleveland @ Asylum
2/24 Toronto, ON Live performance Corridor
2/26 Ottawa, ON Overflow
2/27 Montreal, QC Le Studio TD
2/28 Worcester, MA The Palladium (upstairs)
3/1 Albany, NY Empire Reside
3/2 New York, NY Gramercy Theater
