EX DEO is no mere band – it is a titan in the world of symphonic death metal, a living embodiment of the might, majesty, and madness of Ancient Rome. Forged in 2008 by Maurizio Iacono, the visionary frontman of the legendary KATAKLYSM, EX DEO channels the ferocity of metal through the monumental lens of Roman history and serves as exploration of Iacono’s heritage and links to Ancient Roman bloodlines. EX DEO crafts a sound as vast and indomitable as the empire itself. With dual roots in the cultural bastions of Montreal, Canada, and Orlando, Florida, EX DEO stands as a juggernaut that bridges ancient glory and modern brutality.
From the outset, EX DEO set a grand standard, with each member — Maurizio Iacono on commanding vocals, Jean-François Dagenais and Stéphane Barbe on guitars, Dano Apekian on bass, and James Payne on drums — assuming the roles of warriors, historians, and musical architects. Augmented by the masterful orchestral compositions of Clemens Wijers, the band transcends the boundaries of metal, weaving symphonies of war, betrayal, and triumph. Their live performances are an immersive spectacle, with the band donning Roman legionnaire regalia, transforming stages into battlefields where the echoes of the past thunder into the present.
The EP, “Year Of The Four Emperors” [2025], their first at new label home Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM), promises to elevate EX DEO’s artistry to even greater heights. Through thunderous anthems like ‘Galba,’ ‘Otho,’ ‘Vitellius,’ and ‘Vespasian,’ the band will resurrect the chaos of AD 69, a year that saw the rise and fall of four emperors amidst Rome’s most harrowing upheavals. This is not merely music – it is history reborn, a symphonic tempest of ambition, betrayal, and triumph.
EX DEO is a behemoth in the metal pantheon, a band that dares to dream as grandly as the empire it reveres. Their music is a testament to the timeless struggle for power and the eternal allure of glory. With each album, they carve their legacy into the annals of metal history, standing as a towering monument to the might of Ancient Rome and the undying power of metal.
Stream „Year Of The Four Emperors“ here on Spotify: