Byzantine (band)
Encyclopedia
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, 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.
. 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.
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
.
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). 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.
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.
On January 22, 2008, the band's third studio album Oblivion Beckons
was released. The band split up four days after the release.
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.
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.
Byzantine plays technical metal and retro-minded Bay Area thrash
. Their music is very aggressive and melodic simultaneously. Byzantine also incorporates instrumental parts in their songs and spoken word vocals.
The guitar soloing alone moves from fast parts to prog to jazz.
The bands uses also acoustic guitar and tribal-esque drum beats.
Byzantine plays very modern metal, exploring different musical territories or song structures, and has been labeled as a "forward-thinking" band.
Growing up in West Virginia has helped Byzantine develop a unique sound.
"We are quite alienated from any big scene," explains Ojeda. "Therefore, we tend to think for ourselves a lot more when writing material."
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." Byzantine singer/guitarist Chris Ojeda says "I think we have a knack for achieving a good balance of chaos and melody". 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
.
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
.
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.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Charleston
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.Early...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
that formed in 2000. The band consists of frontman and co-founder Chris "OJ" Ojeda (rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, vocals), Brian Henderson (guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
), Matt Wolfe (drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
) and Michael "Skip" Cromer (bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
). They have released three studio albums on Prosthetic Records
Prosthetic Records
Prosthetic Records is a record label specializing in heavy metal recordings. Founded by E.J. Johantgen and Dan Fitzgerald both former employees of Columbia Records, in Los Angeles, California in 1998...
. Due to various circumstances the band reported their split on January 26, 2008, four days after the release of their third album, 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 by bassist Chris "Cid" Adams, guitarist Tony Rohrbough and vocalist/guitarist Chris "OJ" Ojeda after their former bands New Family and Temper split up. Byzantine wrote four songs and started to practice with a drum machineDrum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
. 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.
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
Huntington, West Virginia
Huntington is a city in Cabell and Wayne counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia, along the Ohio River. Most of the city is in Cabell County, for which it is the county seat. A small portion of the city, mainly the neighborhood of Westmoreland, is in Wayne County. Its population was 49,138 at...
and released as Broadmoor, first demo featuring Wolfe on the drum kit. This aroused the interest of Lamb of God
Lamb of God (band)
Lamb of God is an American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1994, the group consists of vocalist Randy Blythe, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell, and drummer Chris Adler...
's drummer Chris Adler and Byzantine had a short East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
tour with Lamb of God
Lamb of God (band)
Lamb of God is an American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1994, the group consists of vocalist Randy Blythe, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell, and drummer Chris Adler...
, which helped them to obtain new fans and a deal with Prosthetic Records
Prosthetic Records
Prosthetic Records is a record label specializing in heavy metal recordings. Founded by E.J. Johantgen and Dan Fitzgerald both former employees of Columbia Records, in Los Angeles, California in 1998...
.
Soon after Byzantine released their debut album The Fundamental Component
The Fundamental Component
The Fundamental Component is the first studio album from Byzantine. It was released on February 10, 2004.-Track listing:#"Hatfield" – 5:51#"Stick Figure" – 4:49#"Stoning Judas" – 4:38#"My New Casket" – 6:16#"Sin Remover" – 5:47...
in February 2004, which created the band's trademark sound. Subsequently Byzantine toured with Lamb of God
Lamb of God (band)
Lamb of God is an American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1994, the group consists of vocalist Randy Blythe, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell, and drummer Chris Adler...
and Shadows Fall
Shadows Fall
Shadows Fall is an American heavy metal band from Springfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. They are one of the few contemporary metal bands who take their lyrical influence from Eastern philosophy and some references to the Rastafari culture...
as well as played the main stage of New England Metal and Hardcore Festival
New England Metal and Hardcore Festival
The New England Metal and Hardcore Festival is an annual festival held in Worcester, Massachusetts. It is a weekend-long concert of heavy metal and hardcore bands along with a merchandising and promotional area for record labels and other vendors...
in 2004 (and later also in 2006). 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
...And They Shall Take Up Serpents
-Personnel:*Chris "OJ" Ojeda – Vocals, Lead/Rhythm Guitar, Piano*Tony Rohbrough – Lead/Rhythm Guitar, Bass Guitar*Matt Wolfe – Drums, Acoustic Guitar*Drew Mazurek;– mixing*Aaron Fisher;- Production-Trivia:...
, which received high praise both abroad and domestically.
A fan-oriented DVD Salvation
Salvation (DVD)
Salvation is a DVD that was released April 17, 2007 from West Virginia heavy metal band Byzantine via Prosthetic Records. It was filmed, directed, and edited by Donnie Searls, owner of the production company Every Second Pictures...
, 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.
On January 22, 2008, the band's third studio album Oblivion Beckons
Oblivion Beckons
Oblivion Beckons is the third studio album by Charleston heavy metal band Byzantine. It was released on January 22, 2008. According to vocalist Chris "OJ" Ojeda, the band "stripp[ed] down some things like the vocals for a more aggressive style and .....
was released. The band split up four days after the release.
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.
Musical style and lyrical themes
Byzantine plays progressiveProgressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
thrash
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
compared by the Decibel Magazine
Decibel magazine
Decibel is a monthly heavy metal and extreme music magazine published by the Philadelphia-based Red Flag Media. Since October 2004, Decibel has featured a plethora of extreme metal bands and musicians. Its sections include Upfront, Features, Reviews, Guest Columns and the Decibel Hall of Fame...
to Testament
Testament (band)
Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
and Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
with power groove moves comparable to Meshuggah
Meshuggah
Meshuggah is an extreme metal band from Umeå, Sweden, formed in 1987. Meshuggah's line-up has primarily consisted of founding members vocalist Jens Kidman and lead guitarist Fredrik Thordendal, drummer Tomas Haake, who joined in 1990, and rhythm guitarist Mårten Hagström, who joined in 1992...
or Lamb of God
Lamb of God (band)
Lamb of God is an American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1994, the group consists of vocalist Randy Blythe, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell, and drummer Chris Adler...
with occasional clean vocals.
Byzantine plays technical metal and retro-minded Bay Area thrash
Bay Area thrash metal
Bay Area thrash metal, or "Bay Area thrash", referred to a steady following of heavy metal bands in the 1980s who formed and gained international status in the San Francisco Bay Area, California...
. Their music is very aggressive and melodic simultaneously. Byzantine also incorporates instrumental parts in their songs and spoken word vocals.
The guitar soloing alone moves from fast parts to prog to jazz.
The bands uses also acoustic guitar and tribal-esque drum beats.
Byzantine plays very modern metal, exploring different musical territories or song structures, and has been labeled as a "forward-thinking" band.
Growing up in West Virginia has helped Byzantine develop a unique sound.
"We are quite alienated from any big scene," explains Ojeda. "Therefore, we tend to think for ourselves a lot more when writing material."
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." Byzantine singer/guitarist Chris Ojeda says "I think we have a knack for achieving a good balance of chaos and melody". Liz Ciavarella from Metal Maniacs
Metal Maniacs
Metal Maniacs was a heavy metal magazine founded in 1989 by Mike G. and Katherine Ludwig of Metal Shop. It was focused largely on covering extreme metal, with emphasis on the black and death metal genres...
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
Meshuggah
Meshuggah is an extreme metal band from Umeå, Sweden, formed in 1987. Meshuggah's line-up has primarily consisted of founding members vocalist Jens Kidman and lead guitarist Fredrik Thordendal, drummer Tomas Haake, who joined in 1990, and rhythm guitarist Mårten Hagström, who joined in 1992...
, Pantera
Pantera
Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell in 1981, bassist Rex Brown would join in late 1981 with vocalist Terry Glaze. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera had Terry replaced in 1987 with Phil Anselmo as...
, Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
and Testament
Testament (band)
Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
.
Byzantine frontman Chris Ojeda, who plays guitar while singing, is considered to be in the tradition of James Hetfield
James Hetfield
James Alan Hetfield is the rhythm guitarist, co-founder, main songwriter, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Metallica. Hetfield co-founded Metallica in October 1981 after answering a classified advertisement by drummer Lars Ulrich in the Los Angeles newspaper The Recycler,...
, Dave Mustaine
Dave Mustaine
David Scott "Dave" Mustaine is the founder, main songwriter, guitarist, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Prior to Megadeth, Mustaine was the first lead guitarist and a co-songwriter of the heavy metal band Metallica until he was fired from the band in 1983. In 2009, he...
, Max Cavalera
Max Cavalera
Massimiliano Antonio "Max" Cavalera is a Brazilian singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the heavy metal band Sepultura, before forming Soulfly in the late 1990s...
, Mille Petrozza
Mille Petrozza
Miland "Mille" Petrozza is a German guitarist and singer. He is best known for being the lead vocalist of the band Kreator...
, and Chuck Schuldiner
Chuck Schuldiner
Charles Michael "Chuck" Schuldiner was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist.Schuldiner was the singer, songwriter, and guitarist of the band Death, which he founded in 1983, initially under the name Mantas. He also recorded as guitarist and songwriter with his other band, Control Denied...
.
Lyrically the band is influenced by such bands as Meshuggah
Meshuggah
Meshuggah is an extreme metal band from Umeå, Sweden, formed in 1987. Meshuggah's line-up has primarily consisted of founding members vocalist Jens Kidman and lead guitarist Fredrik Thordendal, drummer Tomas Haake, who joined in 1990, and rhythm guitarist Mårten Hagström, who joined in 1992...
, Carcass
Carcass (band)
Carcass are an extreme metal band from England, who formed in 1985 and disbanded in 1995. A reunion was enacted in 2008 without one of its original members, drummer Ken Owen, due to health reasons....
and Lamb of God
Lamb of God (band)
Lamb of God is an American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1994, the group consists of vocalist Randy Blythe, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell, and drummer Chris Adler...
and focuses on problems indigenous to their home such as religion in American society.
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)
Studio Albums
- 2004: The Fundamental ComponentThe Fundamental ComponentThe Fundamental Component is the first studio album from Byzantine. It was released on February 10, 2004.-Track listing:#"Hatfield" – 5:51#"Stick Figure" – 4:49#"Stoning Judas" – 4:38#"My New Casket" – 6:16#"Sin Remover" – 5:47...
- 2005: ...And They Shall Take Up Serpents...And They Shall Take Up Serpents-Personnel:*Chris "OJ" Ojeda – Vocals, Lead/Rhythm Guitar, Piano*Tony Rohbrough – Lead/Rhythm Guitar, Bass Guitar*Matt Wolfe – Drums, Acoustic Guitar*Drew Mazurek;– mixing*Aaron Fisher;- Production-Trivia:...
- 2008: Oblivion BeckonsOblivion BeckonsOblivion Beckons is the third studio album by Charleston heavy metal band Byzantine. It was released on January 22, 2008. According to vocalist Chris "OJ" Ojeda, the band "stripp[ed] down some things like the vocals for a more aggressive style and .....
Demos
- 2001: 2000-2001 Demos - (Caustic Eye ProductionsCaustic Eye ProductionsCaustic Eye Productions is a small Charleston, West Virginia based record label and promotions company that was started in August of 2001 by Rod Lanham. The focus of the label is to give local WV artists the means to essentially self-release their works without having to know how to do it...
) - 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 PriestJudas PriestJudas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
- (covering "The Hellion/Electric Eye") - 2007: For the SickFor the SickFor the Sick is the title of the various artist tribute album to one of the most influential sludge metal bands, Eyehategod. It was released through Emetic Records on March 20, 2007.-CD 1:...
, a tribute to EyehategodEyehategodEyehategod is an American sludge metal band from New Orleans who formed in 1988. They have become one of the most well known bands to emerge from the NOLA metal scene...
- (covering "Shop Lift")
Videography
- 2006: Jeremiad: A Video by Donnie Searls - (Mini-DVD, Atma)
- 2007: SalvationSalvation (DVD)Salvation is a DVD that was released April 17, 2007 from West Virginia heavy metal band Byzantine via Prosthetic Records. It was filmed, directed, and edited by Donnie Searls, owner of the production company Every Second Pictures...
- (DVD, Prosthetic Records)
External links
- Byzantine at MySpace.com
- Byzantine at Prosthetic RecordsProsthetic RecordsProsthetic Records is a record label specializing in heavy metal recordings. Founded by E.J. Johantgen and Dan Fitzgerald both former employees of Columbia Records, in Los Angeles, California in 1998...