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
Members
Chris "OJ" Ojeda Brian Henderson Matt Wolfe Michael "Skip" Cromer
Past members
Tony Rohbrough Chris "Cid" Adams BOSS Drum Machine

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, vocals), Brian Henderson (guitar), Matt Wolfe (drums) and Michael "Skip" Cromer (bass guitar, backing vocals). They have released three studio albums on Prosthetic Records. Due to various circumstances the band reported their split on January 26, 2008, four days after the release of their third album,^[1] then reunited in 2010. Byzantine is known for its unique sound, technical, aggressive and melodic simultaneously, modern and "forward thinking" musical style, which explores different musical territories or song structures.

History

Byzantine formed in the spring of 2000^[2] by bassist Chris "Cid" Adams, guitarist Tony Rohrbough and vocalist/guitarist Chris "OJ" Ojeda after their former bands New Family and Temper split up.^[2] Byzantine wrote four songs and started to practice with a drum machine. Seven more songs were written and 2000/2001 demo was recorded in a friend's studio and self-released in 2001. Byzantine became a part of the local West Virginia Heavy Metal scene.^[2]

Subsequently the band recruited long time friend guitarist Matt Wolfe as a drummer. Six songs were recorded in 2003 in the Broadmoor Studios in Huntington, WV and released as Broadmoor, first demo featuring Wolfe on the drum kit. This aroused the interest of Lamb of God's drummer Chris Adler and Byzantine had a short East Coast tour with Lamb of God, which 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 created the band's trademark sound. Subsequently Byzantine toured with Lamb of God and Shadows Fall as well as played the main stage of New England Metal and Hardcore Festival in 2004 (and later also in 2006).^[2] Chris "Cid" Adams was replaced by Michael "Skip" Cromer and Byzantine returned to the studio to record their second album, 2005's ...And They Shall Take Up Serpents, which received high praise both abroad and domestically.^[2]

A 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", have been released in 2007 and the number of Byzantine's fans grew.^[2] On January 22, 2008, the band's third studio album Oblivion Beckons was released.^[3] The band split up four days after the release.^[1]

Since March 2010, the band has reunited and played local shows around their native state. The band members insist that they have returned with the intention of carrying on with Byzantine, although it was announced on August 17, 2010, that original guitarist and founding member Tony Rohrbough would not be remaining with the group. It is believed that Brian Henderson will be filling the role.^[3]

Musical style and lyrical themes

Byzantine plays progressive thrash compared by the Decibel Magazine to Testament and Megadeth with power groove moves comparable to Meshuggah or Lamb of God with occasional clean vocals.^[4][5] Byzantine plays technical metal and retro-minded Bay Area thrash.^[6][7] Their music is very aggressive and melodic simultaneously.^[4][6] Byzantine also incorporates instrumental parts in their songs and spoken word vocals.^[6] The guitar soloing alone moves from fast parts to prog to jazz.^[7] The bands uses also acoustic guitar and tribal-esque drum beats.^[7]

Byzantine plays very modern metal, exploring different musical territories or song structures,^[5] and has been labeled as a "forward-thinking" band.^[8][9]

Growing up in West Virginia has helped Byzantine develop a unique sound.^[10] "We are quite alienated from any big scene," explains Ojeda. "Therefore, we tend to think for ourselves a lot more when writing material."^[10]

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."^[10] Byzantine singer/guitarist Chris Ojeda says "I think we have a knack for achieving a good balance of chaos and melody".^[10] 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 is often compared to heavy metal bands such as Meshuggah, Pantera, Slayer and Testament.^[2][10]

Byzantine frontman Chris Ojeda, who plays guitar while singing, is considered to be in the tradition of James Hetfield, Dave Mustaine, Max Cavalera, Mille Petrozza, and Chuck Schuldiner.^[10]

Lyrically the band is influenced by such bands as Meshuggah, Carcass and Lamb of God and focuses on problems indigenous to their home such as religion in American society.^[2][10]

Members

• Chris "OJ" Ojeda - Vocals, Guitar (2000–2008, 2010–Present)
• Brian Henderson - Guitars (2010–Present)
• Matt Wolfe - Drums (2002–2008, 2010–Present)
• Michael "Skip" Cromer - Bass (2004–2008, 2010–Present)

Past members

• Chris "Cid" Adams - Bass (2000–2004)
• Tony Rohrbough - Guitars (2000–2008, 2010)
• BOSS Drum Machine - Drums (2000–2001)

Discography

Studio Albums

• 2004: The Fundamental Component
• 2005: ...And They Shall Take Up Serpents
• 2008: Oblivion Beckons

Demos

• 2001: 2000-2001 Demos - (Caustic Eye Productions)
• 2003: Broadmoor - (Full-length demo, also known as European Sampler, DK Entertainment/KMS)

Other

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

• 2007: On Your Knees: The Tribute To Judas Priest - (covering "The Hellion/Electric Eye")
• 2007: For the Sick, a tribute to Eyehategod - (covering "Shop Lift")

Videography

• 2006: Jeremiad: A Video by Donnie Searls - (Mini-DVD, Atma)
• 2007: Salvation - (DVD, Prosthetic Records)

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "BYZANTINE Is 'No Longer A Functioning Band'". Blabbermouth.net. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=89349. Retrieved 2008-05-01. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} "Byzantine Biography". Prosthetic Records. Archived from the original on April 30, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080430013139/http://www.prostheticrecords.com/bands/byzantine/4.php. Retrieved 2008-05-01. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "BYZANTINE: 'Oblivion Beckons' Release Date Announced". Blabbermouth. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=82690. Retrieved 2008-05-17. 
4. ^ ^{a b} D. Shawn Bosler. "Byzantine And They Shall Take Up Serpents". Decibel Magazine. Archived from the original on 2006-05-06. http://web.archive.org/web/20060506021618/http://www.decibelmagazine.com/reviews/aug2005/byzantine.aspx. Retrieved 2008-05-03. 
5. ^ ^{a b} Keith Bergman. "Byzantine Oblivion Beckons". Blabbermouth. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=1353. Retrieved 2008-05-03. 
6. ^ ^{a b c} Nick Green. "Byzantine Oblivion Beckons". Decibel Magazine. Archived from the original on May 22, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080522103130/http://www.decibelmagazine.com/reviews/feb2008/byzantine.aspx?terms=byzantine&searchtype=2&fragment=True. Retrieved 2008-05-03. 
7. ^ ^{a b c} Scott Alisoglu. "BYZANTINE …And They Shall Take Up Serpents". Blabbermouth. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=364. Retrieved 2008-05-03. 
8. ^ "BYZANTINE Is 'No Longer A Functioning Band'". Blabbermouth. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=89349. Retrieved 2008-05-03. 
9. ^ "BYZANTINE To Unveil Two New Songs Next Week". Blabbermouth. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=81666. Retrieved 2008-05-03. 
10. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "Byzantine Bio". The Gauntlet. http://www.thegauntlet.com/bio/752/Byzantine.html. Retrieved 2008-05-01. 

External links

• Byzantine at MySpace.com
• Byzantine at Prosthetic Records