ARTIST: Byzantine
TITLE: ...And They Shall Take Up Serpents
LABEL: Prosthetic Records
GENRE: Metal
BITRATE: 242kbps avg
PLAYTIME: 0h 48min total
RELEASE DATE: 2005-07-16
RIP DATE: 2005-06-30

Track List

01. Justicia                        4:07
02. Taking Up Serpents              3:12
03. Jeremiad                        6:00
04. Ancestry Of The Antichrist      5:54
05. Temporary Temples               4:59
06. Five Faces Of Madness           5:29
07. Red Neck War                    5:39
08. Pity None                       3:58
09. The Rat Eaters                  4:31
10. Salem, Ark.                     4:31

Release Notes:

"I think we have a knack for achieving a good balance of chaos and melody," explains
Byzantine singer/guitarist Chris Ojeda. "The warthog chasing the butterfly."

Byzantine have translated their interest in religion in American society, the idea
of extraterrestrial life, and Southern history/heritage into an unorthodox brand of
heavy music. While these themes might bring to mind bands like Slayer, Meshuggah and
Clutch, one should imagine a pure and wide-reaching amalgamation of these - and so
many more bands - to understand what Byzantine have accomplished with The
Fundamental Component.

The quartet’s debut full length, 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. As such, the band have shared the stage with bands as diverse as Lamb Of
God, Lacuna Coil, Shadows Fall and Nora, and joined a roster featuring similarly
talented bands like Himsa, All That Remains, Cannae and Crematorium.

To be sure, growing up in West Virginia has helped Byzantine develop a unique sound.
Without a dominating hometown scene dictating sound and style - no SoCal hardcore,
no NYHC, etc. - Byzantine have been free to mold their fondness for bands like
Testament and Meshuggah into a unique hybrid of melody, rhythm and aggression that
is familiar and attractive without feeling regressive or clichéd.

"We are quite alienated from any big scene," explains Ojeda. "Therefore, we tend to
think for ourselves a lot more when writing material. We have just as much influence
from Skynard and Chet Atkins around us as we do Slayer and Overkill. So we mostly
just write what we know."

Despite all its forward-leaning tendencies, what Byzantine know has more that a small
throwback to the heyday of thrash. In the grand tradition of Hetfield, Mustaine,
Cavalera and Shuldiner, Ojeda plays guitar while singing - no small task. Need proof?
When was the last time you saw a guitar-playing frontman in this generation of metal?
It’s truly a dying breed.

Ultimately, Byzantine aren’t about this generation or that, progressive or retro,
circle pits or floor punches, they’re about making "solid albums and good heavy metal
songs. Strong out of the gate and strong in the finish."

www.byzantine1.com