Byzantine (band)

Byzantine
Origin Charleston, West Virginia
Genres Groove metal, thrash metal, progressive metal
(see below)
Years active 2000–2008, 2010–present
Labels Prosthetic Records, independent
Members Chris "OJ" Ojeda
Brian Henderson
Sean Sydnor
Past members Tony Rohrbough
Chris "Cid" Adams
Michael "Skip" Cromer
Matt Wolfe

Byzantine is a heavy metal band from Charleston, West Virginia that formed in 2000. The band consists of frontman and co-founder Chris "OJ" Ojeda (rhythm guitar and vocals), Brian Henderson (guitar), Matt Wolfe (drums) and Sean Sydnor (bass guitar). They have released three studio albums on Prosthetic Records and two independent albums. Byzantine is widely hailed as the most underrated band of the modern NWOAHM movement. Due to various circumstances, the band reported their split on January 26, 2008, one day after the release of their third album,[1] but reunited in 2010. Byzantine is known for its unique sound and modern, "forward thinking" musical style, which explores different musical territories and song structures. On January 26, 2012 the band announced that it is recording a new album, 4 years after disbanding.

History

Byzantine formed in the spring of 2000[2] by bassist Chris "Cid" Adams, drummer Jeremy Freeman, guitarist Tony Rohrbough, and vocalist/guitarist Chris "OJ" Ojeda after their former bands New Family and Temper disbanded.[2] Byzantine wrote four songs before Jeremy Freeman left. Seven more songs were written and 2000-2001 Demos was recorded and self-released in 2001. Byzantine became a part of the local West Virginia heavy metal scene.[2]

Subsequently, the band recruited local musician Matt Wolfe as a drummer. Ten songs featuring Wolfe were recorded in 2003 in the Broadmoor Studios in Huntington, West Virginia and released as The Broadmoor Demo. Arousing the interest of Lamb of God's drummer Chris Adler, Byzantine had a short East Coast tour with Lamb of God. This tour helped them to obtain new fans and a deal with Prosthetic Records.[2]

Soon after Byzantine released their debut album The Fundamental Component in February 2004, which introduced the band's trademark sound. Subsequently, Byzantine toured with Lamb of God and Shadows Fall as well as playing the main stage of New England Metal and Hardcore Festival in 2004 (and later also in 2006).[2] Chris "Cid" Adams was soon fired and Byzantine returned to the studio to record their second album in 2005: ...And They Shall Take Up Serpents, with Tony Rohrbough taking over bass duties in the studio. This album received high praise both abroad and domestically.[2]

A 2007 fan-oriented DVD Salvation-- featuring exclusive material, scenes, in-studio clips, interviews, the uncut version of the "Jeremiad" music video and the performance of the never-before released "Cradle Song" -- increased the band's popularity. [2] On January 22, 2008, the band's third studio album Oblivion Beckons was released.[3] The band announced its break up one day after the release.[1]

In March 2010, the band reunited and played local shows around West Virginia. The band members insisted that they had returned with the intention of carrying on with Byzantine. However, it was announced on August 17, 2010, that original guitarist and founding member Tony Rohrbough would not be remaining with the group. Brian Henderson filled his role.[4]

On January 26, 2012, it was announced that the band was reunited with original lead guitarist Tony Rohrbough and had plans to record another album, which was to be self-funded.[5] On February 26, 2013, the self-titled album was released.

On May 29, 2014, it was announced that Byzantine would be recording their fifth album that September when producer Jay Hannon returned to West Virginia with new guitarist Brian Henderson and new bassist Sean Sydnor.[6] On April 7, 2015, the studio album To Release Is to Resolve was released independently by Byzantine for the second time.

Musical style and lyrical themes

Byzantine plays progressive thrash compared by Decibel Magazine to Testament and Megadeth, with power groove moves comparable to Meshuggah or Lamb of God, and occasional clean vocals.[7][8] The band's former record label, Prosthetic Records, has also compared them to Pantera.[2] Byzantine plays technical metal and retro-minded Bay Area thrash.[9][10] Their music has been described as simultaneously melodic and aggressive.[7][9] Byzantine also occasionally incorporates instrumental parts in their songs and spoken word vocals.[9] The guitar soloing alone moves from fast parts to prog to jazz.[10] The band also uses acoustic guitar and tribal-esque drum beats.[10]

Byzantine plays very modern metal, exploring different musical territories or song structures,[8] and has been labeled as a "forward-thinking" band.[11][12]

Growing up in West Virginia has helped Byzantine develop a unique sound.[13] "We are quite alienated from any big scene," explains Ojeda. "Therefore, we tend to think for ourselves a lot more when writing material."[13]

The Gauntlet states "The Fundamental Component is characterized by long songs, melodic thrash and Tony Rohrbough's scathing guitar solos while still embracing technical chaos and the violent groove of bassist Chris Adams and drummer Matt Wolfe."[13] Byzantine singer/guitarist Chris Ojeda says "I think we have a knack for achieving a good balance of chaos and melody".[13] Liz Ciavarella from Metal Maniacs magazine uses formulations such as "Scrupulous time-shifts and strategically-placed off-beats; forever infectious grooves, breakdowns (Thrashdowns?) and ceaseless experimentation that end in intricate catchy Metal mantras" to describe Byzantine's style.

Byzantine frontman Chris Ojeda, who plays guitar while singing, is considered to be in the tradition of James Hetfield, Dave Mustaine, Max Cavalera, Mikael Akerfeldt, and Chuck Schuldiner.[13]

Lyrically the band is influenced by such bands as Meshuggah, Carcass and Opeth and focuses on problems indigenous to their home such as religion in American society.[2][13]

Band members

Current members

Former members

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Demos

Other

The band was featured on two tribute albums in which they recorded an exclusive cover song for each.

Videography

References

  1. 1 2 "BYZANTINE Is 'No Longer A Functioning Band'". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved May 1, 2008.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Byzantine Biography". Prosthetic Records. Archived from the original on April 30, 2008. Retrieved May 1, 2008.
  3. ↑ "BYZANTINE: 'Oblivion Beckons' Release Date Announced". Blabbermouth. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
  4. ↑ "BYZANTINE: Reunited Byzantine Parts Ways with Guitarist, Announces Replacement". Blabbermouth. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Reunited BYZANTINE Preparing To Record New Studio Album". Blabbermouth. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Byzantine To Record Fifth Studio Album". Metal Underground. May 29, 2014.
  7. 1 2 D. Shawn Bosler. "Byzantine And They Shall Take Up Serpents". Decibel Magazine. Archived from the original on May 6, 2006. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
  8. 1 2 Keith Bergman. "Byzantine Oblivion Beckons". Blabbermouth. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
  9. 1 2 3 Nick Green. "Byzantine Oblivion Beckons". Decibel Magazine. Archived from the original on May 22, 2008. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
  10. 1 2 3 Scott Alisoglu. "BYZANTINE …And They Shall Take Up Serpents". Blabbermouth. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
  11. ↑ "BYZANTINE Is 'No Longer A Functioning Band'". Blabbermouth. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
  12. ↑ "BYZANTINE To Unveil Two New Songs Next Week". Blabbermouth. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Byzantine Bio". The Gauntlet. Retrieved May 1, 2008.
  14. ↑ "NO CLEAN SINGING » AN NCS VIDEO PREMIERE: BYZANTINE’S “SOUL ERASER”". nocleansinging.com. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  15. ↑ Byzantine - "The Agonies" OFFICIAL VIDEO (HD 2015). YouTube. April 17, 2015. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Watch the Intense New Byzantine Video for "The Agonies" - MetalSucks". MetalSucks. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Byzantine Tackles Prescription Drug Addiction in 'The Agonies' Video: Exclusive - Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  18. ↑ "Byzantine premiere You Sleep, We Wake video". Metal Hammer. Retrieved August 24, 2015.

External links

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