Ex Deo, the project led by Kataklysm frontman Maurizio Iacono, has just released a new EP titled Year of the Four Emperors. The concept album covers 69 AD, where Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian all ruled Rome, marking the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.
The Rise of Rome in Modern Entertainment
In modern entertainment, we are witnessing increased interest in the Roman era. Spartacus was a huge success for Starz TV, to the point where a new series titled Spartacus: House of Asher is set for release in autumn 2025. Gladiator 2 was also released recently, with rave reviews from history fans. In gaming, Civilisation 6 also allows you to take control of Trajan, a Roman emperor from AD 98 to 117.
In other verticals, including iGaming, Rome is a prominent theme. Rome Fight for Gold Eternal Empire, one of the games that allows you to play slots for real money, is packed with Roman-themed elements.
From the arena to chalices and gladiator armour, you have the chance of winning up to 25,000 times your stake. Games like Centurion Big Money have also adopted the Roman theme, showing how influential the Roman era is in modern entertainment.
The Ex Deo Project and Worldwide Tour
Ex Deo is a Juno-nominated project. The “Year Of The Four Emperors” EP dropped on January 10th, 2025 via the band’s brand-new label, RPM. Not long after they dropped their new EP, they announced a European tour.
The band is going to be playing alongside the Italian symphonic metal band Fleshgod Apocalypse and Sweden’s Dark Funeral. They are also going to be touring North America in the spring, serving as the support act for the Greek death metal band, Septicflesh.
The EP from Ex Deo starts with the epic Galba, a blast of symphonic metal that details his real-life ruthless ascent. Otho comes next, with a more symphonic metal style that explores how Otho, the Roman emperor, schemed to take the throne for himself. He was eventually defeated by Vitellius, with the track telling of his defeat at the hands of Vespasian.
The ending track evokes a sense of triumph, as the lyrics end with the note of the emperor being the harbinger of a new era. The EP embodies the same sound as their previous work, including Romulus, but with a fresh hard-hitting sound.
Maurizio himself has said that the EP’s closing track is about resilience in the face of adversity. It’s also about renewal. Vespasian can emerge as a figure of stability, amongst all the chaos. In real life, his reign helped to welcome the Flavian Dynasty, which was a time of peace for the Roman Empire.
The album also features Clemens Wijers, who was essential in helping the band to refine their orchestral sound. The Carach Angren keyboardist has worked with them before, including violin, cello, keyboards, and horns to try and give the music an extra dimension, helping to immerse the listener into the time of Ancient Rome, and the battles that unfolded during that time.
