The album was recorded with producer (and Kataklysm guitarist) Jean-Francois Dagenais (Misery Index, Despised Icon, Malevolent Creation).
Ex Deo was formed in 2008 as an artistic project Maurizio Iacono was really interested in and as it caught on, it became more of a band. However, Iacono said in an interview that Ex Deo will not be as active as Kataklysm is.
“ Ex Deo is more of a prestigious type of band. We're not going to tour intensively for it, we're not going do as much as we do for Kataklysm. Kataklysm is a world-warrior band, you know. It's on the road constantly and more in touch with social aspects. This (Ex Deo) is more something artistic, you know. ”
Ex Deo's debut album Romulus was released through Nuclear Blast Records on June 19, 2009 in Europe and was released on June 30, 2009 in North America. The album was recorded with producer and Kataklysm guitarist Jean-Francois Dagenais, featuring guest appearances by Karl Sanders (Nile), Obsidian C. (Keep of Kalessin) and Nergal (Behemoth).
Band members
* Maurizio Iacono - vocals
* Stéphane Barbe - guitar
* Jean-Francois Dagenais - guitar
* François Mongrain - bass guitar
* Jonathan Leduc - keyboards
* Max Duhamel - drums
The Final War
Ex Deo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mark Antony's forces to engage Octavian's legions at sea
Breaking the alliance of the Second Triumvirate
Cleopatra and Antony to defy
Caesarion named King of Kings
A lethal threat to Octavian
Two Hundred Thirty warships at sea
Headed by the great Mark Antony
Agrippa's forces led by experience at sea
Roma shines once again Octavian's forces powerful and unmatched
Two hundred ships lost
Five Thousand lives lost
Broken line broken will
There's no place for glory to heal
Raised in blood raised in fear
There's no place for honor to heal
There's no place for glory there's no place for honor...
Cleopatra
Bring this war to foreign land Alexandria
The final encounter between two of Rome's greatest leaders comes to an end
Two hundred thirty warships at sea
Headed by the great Mark Antony
Devastating loss forces retreat
Agrippa's forces led by experience at sea
Roma shines once again Octavian's forces powerful and unmatched
Two hundred ships lost
Five thousand lives lost
Broken line broken will
There's no place for glory to heal
Raised in blood raised in fear
There's no place for honor to heal
There's no place for glory there's no place for honor...
This is the final war along the Lonian Sea the Battle of Actium
Mark Antony's forces to engage Octavian's legions at sea
Breaking the alliance of the Second Triumvirate
The song "The Final War" by Ex Deo recounts the epic naval battle that took place along the Ionian Sea between Mark Antony's forces and those commanded by Octavian, the future Emperor Augustus. The battle marked the culmination of a political and personal conflict between the two Roman leaders, who had been in a tense alliance as part of the Second Triumvirate. The lyrics describe the intense military preparations, with Antony leading a massive fleet of 230 warships, and Octavian responding with a powerful and experienced force led by his admiral Agrippa.
The lyrics speak of the role that Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt and Antony's lover, played in the conflict. Her son Caesarion, whom Antony named "King of Kings," was seen as a threat to Octavian's own claim to power, and the battle was in part fought over rival claims to the Roman world. The song also speaks to the devastating human cost of the conflict, with two hundred ships lost and five thousand lives lost. The idea of honor and glory, which was so central to the Roman ethos, is rejected by the song's ominous refrain: "There's no place for glory there's no place for honor..."
Overall, "The Final War" captures the epic scale and tragic outcome of one of the most significant events in Roman history. It evokes the violence, fear, and brutality that were intrinsic to ancient warfare, as well as the often ruthless pursuit of power that defined Roman politics during this period.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the final war along the Lonian Sea the Battle of Actium
The ultimate battle is taking place in the vicinity of the Ionian Sea referred to as the Battle of Actium.
Mark Antony's forces to engage Octavian's legions at sea
Mark Antony's troops are preparing to come face to face with Octavian's legions in a naval battle.
Breaking the alliance of the Second Triumvirate
The Second Triumvirate affiliates are now in opposition as a result of this war and no more unified.
Cleopatra and Antony to defy
Cleopatra and Antony have chosen to battle disregarding the acknowledgement of authority of Octavian and his legions.
Caesarion named King of Kings
Caesarion has been declared King of Kings, making him a severe danger to Octavian and his troops.
A lethal threat to Octavian
Caesarion represents a significant danger to Octavian and his side in the war.
Two Hundred Thirty warships at sea
Mark Antony has an enormous navy of two hundred and thirty warships for this battle on sea.
Headed by the great Mark Antony
Mark Antony is the commander of the two hundred and thirty warships of his navy at sea.
Devastating loss forces retreat
Mark Antony's naval troop suffers a crushing defeat, compelling them to initiate retreat from the enemy's dominance.
Agrippa's forces led by experience at sea
Agrippa, a well-experienced naval commander, leads Octavian's dominant naval troops.
Roma shines once again Octavian's forces powerful and unmatched
Octavian's forces are formidable and matchless, making Rome shine again with pride and power.
Two hundred ships lost
Mark Antony loses two hundred of his navy's ships in the battle.
Five Thousand lives lost
The two sides lose a colossal number, five thousand lives, to get the triumph of this battle.
Broken line broken will
As a result of the battle's failure, the line of attack falters, and the will of the troops weakens.
There's no place for glory to heal
The loss of this battle is so devastating for both the troops that there is no means of making up for it with something as significant as glory.
Raised in blood raised in fear
Both troops prepared for the battle amidst blood and fear.
There's no place for honor to heal
There's nothing like honor that could make up for the loss of this battle.
There's no place for glory there's no place for honor...
There's no chance of finding something glorifying or honorable that can help in overcoming the losses of this battle.
Cleopatra
Cleopatra, the queen of Antony's heart, enters the warfront from foreign land Alexandria.
Bring this war to foreign land Alexandria
Intending to expand the boundaries of their rule, the war between the two leaders heads towards Alexandria, a foreign land.
The final encounter between two of Rome's greatest leaders comes to an end
The decisive encounter between two of Rome's greatest leaders has come to an end, marking the end of the battle.
Contributed by Layla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marie Tolstoï
I couldn't tell you how much I love history through metalheads' eyes...
Red Head Metaler
+Mikazuki Tolstoï You don't need to I already know.
Nordic Fox
It's the best way to represent Rome, methinks.
Son of Northern Darkness
Then this video must be painful to watch. The legion was fighting in an organised way, in a testudo. This combat looks like Manchester United fans fighting Galatasaray fans.
Nyghtslave
I'm glad I can't say the same; ever since I've had the album I've been in love with it. The first three months it was the only CD I would listen to, all day every day, and I still listen to it a lot, without being bored.
Ken
The first 33 seconds set up this song in such an amazing way they need to do a extended version where that first 33 seconds lasts for 5 mins at least.
brian shaw
If only more metal videos had this much production value!
MIR
God damn! How does a band with only one album afford a film clip this badass? Lovin' it! Might have to look into these guys further.
Mike Hall
LOVING the fact they are using a historic battle for a song... I think I love this band.
Ruined Roast
"With the fall of Egypt and the elimination of the traitorous Mark Anthony, Octavian´s rise to power was complete. In recognition of our service and loyalty to Augustus, the Legio XIII Gemina was placed under the direct command of Marcus Agrippa. Armed with a deadly new gladius, blazing new ships, and shiny new segmentata, our presence let the world know that the days of the Old Republic were well and truly over. We were establishing a new era, an era of ordo et pax..."