EMBRACE OF SOULS have released an official live video for ‘The Plague’, capturing the Italian epic/power metal band performing the third track from The Battle Of The Dead. Simone ‘Morksar’ D’Addazio filmed and edited the video, which features Simone Fornasini on keyboards.
The performance puts a central chapter of the album’s fantasy narrative on stage. Set in a medieval world divided into several kingdoms, The Battle Of The Dead follows a mysterious plague that infects people’s souls and gradually drives the continent toward a conflict between the living and the dead. ‘The Plague’ occupies a key position in that unfolding story.
Released on May 22, 2026, through Rockshots Records, The Battle Of The Dead draws on heavy and power metal from the 1980s and 1990s, alongside the epic and symphonic metal tradition of the early 2000s. Its melodic and theatrical approach is shaped by the pairing of Giacomo Rossi’s vocals with Martina Mazzeo’s operatic soprano.
Rossi, who appeared on previous releases, now holds a central lead-vocal role. Mazzeo adds the symphonic dimension to that partnership, which the band’s supplied biography describes through contrasts of light and darkness, power and elegance, and intensity and emotion.
Alessio Garavello mixed and mastered the album at Rogue Studios in London. Morby of DOMINE appears as a special guest vocalist on ‘The War.’ The release is available digitally and as a digipak CD: listeners can stream the complete album or order the digipak edition.
Drummer and composer Michele Olmi founded EMBRACE OF SOULS as a studio project built around collaboration and a shared passion for classic metal. Their debut, The Number Of Destiny, arrived in 2021; the supplied biography reports international positive feedback, including acclaim in Japan. The project subsequently developed into a full live band.
The second full-length, Forever Part Of Me, followed in 2024, during a period of lineup changes and further songwriting development. EMBRACE OF SOULS have shared stages with DOMINE, VISION DIVINE, STRATOVARIUS, SONATA ARCTICA and RHAPSODY OF FIRE, and the announcement says they are working on new material that continues their epic, narrative-driven approach.
The announced lineup comprises Rossi and Mazzeo on vocals, Edward De Rosa on guitars, Xavier Rota on bass, Davide Baldelli on keyboards and Olmi on drums. Fornasini’s keyboard credit applies specifically to the live performance captured in the new video.
EMBRACE OF SOULS will perform alongside HEAVENFALL at Dedolor on October 24, 2026, for Rockshots Night. Further information is available through the Rockshots Night event listing.
The announcement also lists two expected November appearances: November 14 at Revolver Club in S. Donà di Piave, with special guest ARCANA OPERA – A.W. and opening act LENITY LAKE; and November 29 at Druso Bergamo for Malpaga Winter Night.
The Battle Of The Dead track listing
- The Battle Of The Dead
- Eversun
- The Plague
- The Gathering
- Spine
- Who Can Save Us
- Betrayal
- The Dark Lord
- The War (feat. Morby)
- Sacrifice
- Desolate Lands
