Release date- 27th August 2021
Label - Napalm Records
Nile have a fascination with Egypt, Hypocrisy with the paranormal. Ex Deo are all about the Roman Empire. As if there was much more of a clue needed, considering their latest album is a concept album called The Thirteen Years of Nero. It comes four years after their last album The Immortal Wars (2017) and is released on Napalm Records, who seem to be building a neat roster of artists.
For those not familiar with Ex Deo, the band consists of Maurizio Iacoono of Katakylsm, Jean Francois Dagenais (Kataklysm & Misery index), Jeramie Kling (Venom Inc.) and Clemens Wijers (Lindemann). So, in a nutshell, all talented in their own field of metal.
If you take the time to dig into the underground scene there are some truly great bands in there. Sure, the ‘big’ bands are still going to rule the main stages at festivals and arenas, but if you expand your horizons there are some absolute gems waiting to be uncovered. Ex Deo are one of them. Don’t let the tag of Death Metal put you off. DM has a reputation of guttural vocals that no can understand and tempo so fast it could take down the Roman Empire. But, on this album Ex Deo have added in symphonies (not usually found in DM) which - coupled with the DM template- makes for a surprisingly great album.
Concept albums can sometimes be hit or miss. Ex Deo have nailed their concept album telling the story of Emperor Nero. Each track feels like a page in a book, turning to the next one to find out what happens next adding a level of excitement. The way the story (album) unfolds is well thought out in the process and the orchestration brings the story to life with the addition of strings and horns.
Boudicca (Queen of Incel) opens with a stomping riff, followed by spoken word into visceral vocals and horns piercing through the mix. Unleash the Archers, Britney Slayes lends her vocals to stunning effect here, accompanied by the orchestra this is the stand out track on the album.
‘Britannia: The 9th at Camulodonum’, at just under 5 minutes does not hold back and vocally is the stand out performance with harsh vocals to howling shrieks on par with Dani Filth. Backed up by an accomplished performance from Jaramie Kling of Venom Inc. The drums sound mighty with the simplistic rhythms still having a profound impact on the record.
‘Son of the defiled’ has a slow chugging intro, a slow double bass passage followed by horns and strings to build up the atmosphere as if preparing to march into war. It builds further with a military esque drum roll. It then applies that same rhythm in the bass drums and the track kicks off with harsh vocal tones and a fret board dancing solo. Certainly one of the slowest tracks on the album but again, a gem.
This is a solid album that deserves all the praise that will be coming its way.
8/10
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