Customer Reviews

Romulus

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A great band concept and basic musical style, but it just falls a little flat. When I heard these guys were doing this, I was really excited. No band has really delved into this yet, and it was overdue. And when I heard Karl Sanders was making a guest appearance, I was sold. There are a few really good songs here, most notably Invictus and The Final War. But the rest of the album is not quite so strong. A few filler cuts, it seems like. I believe they can top this in the future, however, and honestly I wouldn't mind seeing them put Kataklysm to rest and make this their full time project. Ex Deo has much more potential going forward and deserves to be a full time band. I'm sure they'll record as Ex Deo again and I look forward to seeing what they come up with. This is a good start, but I know they're capable of more.

Quebec death metal masters Kataklysm took some time off to form this side project, based on the rise of the Roman Empire. Musically this album is quite different from anything resembling Kataklysm. It took a little while to grow on me, but this has become one of my favorite albums.

The guitars are intricate and melodic, and there is use of strange harmonies that mesh very well with the background atmosphere. The only exception might be a couple of sections on Storm the Gates of Alesia, but almost every other song works brilliantly. Songs like Cry Havoc and Invictus feature the nice heavy guitars and very headbangable drums that these guys are most known for. Keyboards and symphonic sections are used quite nicely to create an epic feel on the album. Maurizio's vocals are strong as always. There is some great solo guitar work on songs like Legio XIII, Cry Havoc, Cruor Nostri Abbas and many others. The Final War (Battle of Actium) features some of the most catchy sections on the album, and a guitar solo by Karl Sanders of Nile. I also like the song Invictus because of it's regal overtones and some great bass soloing. The album is a little on the long side, but there isn't a weak track on here, and it's diverse enough to satisfy most of your metal needs.

The lyrics cover many aspects of Rome, including Romulus and Remus, the invasion of Gaul, Antony and Cleopatra, and the Gladiators. It follows closely in the footsteps of Kataklysm, with themes of honour, determination and loyalty being prominent. But there is also sorrow, defeat, and the futility of war. As a result, this release is emotionally charged from start to finish and the beautiful solo guitar work soars from this solid foundation.

Maurizio said that it's always been his dream to start a band based on ancient Rome, and it's clear that it was a fascinating period in history. The overhwelming militarism, hedonism and brutality of the period make it perfect subject matter for a metal band to tackle, and Ex Deo have done so expertly.

Thematically and musically these guys have a ton of potential. The next album will be called Caligula, and I for one absolutely cannot wait. 4.5/5

Outstanding album pretty much it's Kataklysm only difference is the bass player Stéphane Barbe of kataklysm is playing guitar,Jonathan Leduc - Keyboards,François Mongrain - Bass,Maurizio Iacono - Vocals,Jean-François Dagenais -Guitar,Max Duhamel - Drums. Highly Recommended the song Cry Havoc has an amazing spoken part that is truly uplifting
you won't be dissapointed

Ex Deo is Kataklysm's lead singer Maurizio Ioconno brain child. It's his debut band after Kataklysm. It sounds nothing like Kataklysm, in a good way. Ex deo has it's own sound, it's own distinct sound. The album is great. Maurizio sounds better than ever. Some great guest: like Karl Sanders from Nile and a couple of other surprises. Over-all a solid cd with 3 or 4 stand out songs.