In a time long past a series of three extended conflicts called the Punic Wars were fought out between Rome and Carthage, and where it was Rome that was triumphant thus increasing the vast territory under its control. This conflict is the topic for Ex Deo the epic death metal act which includes members of the melodic death metal group Kataklysm and their new concept album The Immortal Wars.
Ex Deo's melodic death metal blends so effectively with the voice overs and additional sound effects and with more to do with hooks than being to overly technical. Hannibal was a general in the Carthaginian army and one that became a great enemy of Rome as he inflicted considerable carnage on the Romans during the second war, and The Immortal Wars begins with the excellent mid tempo "The Rise of Hannibal. The scene setting spoken section is just fantastic around midway point just a shame it wasn't longer, although there are more such inclusions as the album continues. They push up the tempo for the lively "Hispania (The Siege of Saguntum)" and I have to say that the drumming Oli Beaudoin (Kataklysm) on this album is very impressive as he really brings the goods. The sweeping orchestral instrumental "Suavetaurilia (Intermezzo)" leads into the sounds of war drums and the hefty metal of "Cato Major: Carthago delenda est!" as Ex Deo transport us back to ancient Rome and into battle with all the bells and whistles on The Immortal Wars their glorius third album.
Track Listing
1. The Rise of Hannibal
2. Hispania (The Siege of Saguntum)
3. Crossing of the Alps
4. Suavetaurilia (Intermezzo)
5. Cato Major: Carthago delenda est!
6. Ad Victoriam (The Battle of Zama)
7. The Spoils of War
8. The Roman
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