ALBUM REVIEW: The Thirteen Years Of Nero – Ex Deo

What started as a means of artistic expression and a homage to his heritage, frontman and driving force Maurizio Iacono has managed to take EX DEO to impressive heights. 2017’s The Immortal Wars was the most recent instalment in their catalogue, until now. The Thirteen Years Of Nero is due for release on August 27th via Napalm Records and is poised to elevate the band even further.

The Fall of Claudius commences with powerful stomping riffs and impactful drumming accompanied with dramatic orchestration to bring additional theatricality to proceedings. It doesn’t take long for Iacono to start showcasing his commanding vocal talents. Imperator follows suit in upping the tension and keeping you gripped by continuing to mount an insurmountable charge of jabbing instrumentation. Grisly vocal work adds an interesting dynamic to the track. The Head Of The Snake kicks the tempo up a gear, injecting some swift riffing and snappy drum beats. The spoken word segments have a cinematic charm to them which helps you envisage what is unfolding.

Boudicca (Queen of the Iceni) feels like a movie soundtrack with its engrossing prose and the enchanting vocal lines of UNLEASH THE ARCHERS‘ Brittney Slayes further assist this. Slick leads also make their presence felt and displays the variety of skills at their disposal. Britannia: The 9th at Camulodonum witnesses EX DEO begin to further flex their proficiency, blending heaviness with intriguing melodies and exhilarating orchestral touches which cascade into Trial of the Gods (Intermezzo). This piece may be relatively brief but it continues to sustain your engagement and keep the momentum simmering away nicely. The Fiddle & The Fire takes a more methodical, calculated approach with a trudging yet still effective pacing. The intensity begins to pick up as it progresses.

Son Of The Deified almost feels like an army marching into battle with its confident stride and invigorating energy. Further flourishes of lead work compliment the narrative. The introductory sequence of What Artist Dies In Me… gives off a rather unsettling, haunting vibe that leaves you feeling a little on edge, wondering what may be waiting to strike. At the same time you can’t avert your gaze for fear of missing something wondrous. Pounding drum beats enhance the unraveling aggression. The Revolt of Galba ensures this release ends up on uplifting, satisfactory high with an impressive array of melody, enticing riffs and one final swathe of enthralling orchestral elements.

It may have taken five years for us to see another release come to fruition but EX DEO have shown they haven’t lost a step. If anything, they have came out firing with a more motivated, hungrier intent than ever before. It is no enviable task to construct pieces that are so concisely layered but the Canadian outfit execute it impeccably. The Thirteen Years Of Nero proves that EX DEO are not just some Ancient Roman-inspired side-project, but a fully fledged powerhouse that have more than earned their recognition.

Rating: 9/10

The Thirteen Years Of Nero is set for release on August 27th via Napalm Records.

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