Ex Deo is a Canadian death metal band formed in Montreal, Quebec in 2008. The band is a side project of Kataklysm frontman Maurizio Iacono,[2] and is based on the history of the Roman Empire.[3]

Ex Deo
Maurizio Iacono
Maurizio Iacono
Background information
OriginMontreal, Quebec, Canada
GenresSymphonic death metal[1]
Years active2008–2014, 2015–present
LabelsNuclear Blast, Napalm
MembersMaurizio Iacono
Stéphane Barbe
Jean-François Dagenais
Dano Apekian
Oli Beaudoin
Francesco Ferrini
Past membersMax Duhamel
François Mongrain
Jonathan Lefrancois-Leduc
Websitehttps://www.exdeoband.com/

History

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Stéphane Barbe
 
Dano Apekian

Ex Deo was formed in 2008 as an artistic project of Maurizio Iacono, who is of Italian heritage. It became the first Roman Legion melodic death metal band; in performance, band members wear modified Roman Legion uniforms.[4]

Romulus (2009)

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Ex Deo's debut album Romulus was released in Europe and North America in June 2009, on Nuclear Blast.[5] The album was recorded with producer and Kataklysm guitarist Jean-François Dagenais, featuring guest appearances by Karl Sanders (Nile), Obsidian C. (Keep of Kalessin) and Nergal (Behemoth).[6] It was generally well-received.[7][8][9] The band toured in support of it, playing Hellfest in France, FortaRock Festival in Holland, Paganfest in Germany[10] and a group concert in New York.[11]

In December 14, 2010, the band parted with Nuclear Blast and signed a new record deal with Napalm Records.[12]

Caligvla (2012–2014)

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Ex Deo's second album Caligvla, was released on August 31, 2012, Caligula's 2000th anniversary. The album features guest appearances by Seth Siro (Spiros Antoniou) (Septicflesh), Mariangela Demurtas (Tristania), Stefano Fiori (Graveworm) and Francesco Artusato (All Shall Perish)[13] and was well-received by critics.[14][15][16][17]

In June 2012, the band released the video for the song I, Caligvla (featuring Maurizio's girlfriend and Colombian model Suzzy),[18] and went on tour with Septicflesh, which Iacono was then managing.[19][20] In addition to numerous North American dates, they played Bloodstock Open Air 2013,[21] and were the special guests at the Cardiff show of the "At the Gate of Sethu 2013 European Tour Part II"[22] in September 2013.

Caligvla was nominated for Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2013.[23]

The Immortal Wars (2015–2018)

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In February 2017, Ex Deo released their third album, The Immortal Wars, which is about the Punic Wars. It also received excellent reviews.[24][25][26] In 2018, the band went on a European tour with Ensiferum, playing dates in France, the Netherlands and Denmark, including Royal Metal Fest.[27][28]

The Thirteen Years of Nero (2021–)

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On June 14, 2021, Ex Deo released its fourth album, The Thirteen Years of Nero, about the Roman Emperor Nero.[29][30] Once again, the band received rave reviews.[31][32]

Band members

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Jean-Francois Dagenais
  • Maurizio Iacono - vocals, bass
  • Stéphane Barbe – lead guitar
  • Jean-François Dagenais – rhythm guitar, producer
  • Dano Apekian – bass guitar
  • Oli Beaudoin – drums
  • Francesco Ferrini – keyboards

Former members

  • François Mongrain – bass guitar (2009)
  • Max Duhamel – drums
  • Jonathan Lefrancois-Leduc – keyboards

Discography

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Studio albums

  • Romulus (2009)
  • Caligvla (2012)
  • The Immortal Wars (2017)
  • The Thirteen Years of Nero (2021)

Singles

  • "Romulus" (2009)

Split releases

  • "Romulus" / "Cruise Ship Terror" (2009)

Music videos

  • Romulus (2010)
  • The Final War (Battle of Actium) (2010)
  • I, Caligvla (2012)
  • Per Oculus Aquila (2012)
  • The Tiberius Cliff (2012)
  • The Rise Of Hannibal (2016)
  • The Roman (2017)
  • The Philosopher King (2020)
  • Boudicca (2021)
  • Imperator (2021)
  • The Head of the Snake (2021)


References

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  1. ^ "Ex Deo". Metal-archives.com. Retrieved 2020-03-21.
  2. ^ Henderson, Alex. "Romulus – Review". AllMusic. Macrovision. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  3. ^ "Kataklysm Frontman's Ex Deo Project Inks Deal With Nuclear Blast". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 5 December 2008. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  4. ^ Smith, Mike. "Interview Ex Deo, Kataklysm Frontman Maurizio Iacono". metalunderground.com. Metal Underground. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  5. ^ "Ex Deo - Romulus (Full Album) 2009". youtube.com. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  6. ^ Falzon, Denise. "Ex Deo Romulus, June 2009". exclaim.ca. Exclaim!. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  7. ^ Porter, Christopher. "Came, Saw, Conquered: Ex Deo, 'Romulus', Nov 2009". Washington Post. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  8. ^ Transilvanian, MaD. "A death metal appraisal of the Rome's history, March 2010". metal-archives.com. Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  9. ^ Ogle, Ryan. "EX DEO "Romulus"". blabbermouth.net. Blabbermouth. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  10. ^ "Paganfest 2009". loudmemories.com. Loud Memories. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  11. ^ "Ex Deo's Conert & Tour History". concertarchives.org. Concert Archives. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  12. ^ "The past is alive :..." Facebook.com. 2010-12-14. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
  13. ^ "Ex Deo – Caligvla". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  14. ^ Druhm, Steel. "Ex Deo – Caligvla Review, August 2012". angrymetalguy.com. Angry Metal Guy. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  15. ^ Ervin, Cameron. "Ex Deo Caligvla Review". metal-temple.com. Metal Temple. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  16. ^ Metal, D.T. "Ex Deo - Caligvla review, Oct 2012". metalstorm.net. Metal Storm. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  17. ^ "Ex Deo Caligvla Album Review". nocleansinging.com. No Clean Singing. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  18. ^ "EX DEO - I, Caligvla". youtube.com. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  19. ^ Falzon, Denise. "Ex Deo - Interview with Maurizio Iacono". exclaim.ca. Exclaim!. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  20. ^ Neilstein, Vince. "THE MOST BR00TALEST METAL TOUR...August 2012". metalsucks.net. Metal Sucks. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  21. ^ "Bloodstock Band Line-Up 2013". bloodstock.uk.com. Bloodstock. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  22. ^ Music, Massive. ""At The Gate Of Sethu 2013 European Tour Part II"". metalshockfinland.com. Metal Shock Finland. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  23. ^ "Past Nominees & Winners - Ex Deo". junoawards.ca. Juno Awards. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  24. ^ Tovey, Steve. "Ex Deo – The Immortal Wars, Feb 2017". ghostcultmag.com. Ghost Cult Magazine. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  25. ^ X, Madam. "Ex Deo – The Immortal Wars Review, Feb 2017". angrymetalguy.com. Angry Metal Guy. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  26. ^ Kemp, Donnie. "Review: Ex Deo – The Immortal Wars (2017), Feb 2017". maximumvolumemusic.com. Maximum Volume Music. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  27. ^ "Royal Metal Fest 2018". en.concerts-metal.com. Concerts-Metal. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  28. ^ "Ex Deo's Concert Tour & History". concertarchives.org. Concert Archives. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  29. ^ "EX DEO - The Thirteen Years Of Nero (2021) FULL ALBUM". youtube.com. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  30. ^ "EX DEO To Release The Thirteen Years Of Nero Album In August; "Imperator" Music Video Streaming". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  31. ^ Bowar, Chad. "Album Review: EX DEO The Thirteen Years Of Nero, August 2021". metalinjection.net. Metal Injection. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  32. ^ Smith, Jonathan. "Ex Deo – The Thirteen Years Of Nero (Album Review), August 2021". sonicperspectives.com. Sonic Perspectives. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
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