Byzantine

Biography/History

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Byzantine (2000-2008, 2010-present): a Progressive Metal band from Charleston, West Virginia, USA.

merican act Byzantine was formed in the spring of 2000 by Chris "Cid" Adams (bass), Tony Rohrbough (guitar), Jeremy Freeman (drums) and Chris "OJ" Ojeda (vocals/guitar) after their former bands, New Family and Temper, disbanded. Their style would be best described as progressive thrash metal, compared to Testament and Megadeth, with power moves comparable to Meshuggah or Lamb of God, with occasional clean vocals.

Subsequently, the band recruited local musician Matt Wolfe (R.I.P. 2021) for drums. Ten songs featuring Wolfe were then recorded in 2003 as The Broadmoor demo EP, arousing the interest of Lamb of God's drummer Chris Adler. Byzantine then had a short Eastern US tour with Lamb of God. This tour helped them obtain new fans and a deal with 'Prosthetic Records', soon after, in February 2004, Byzantine released their debut album The Fundamental Component (2004).

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For the follow-up, ...and They Shall Take Up Serpents (2005), Adams was was absent, having been fired soon before. Although not on this recording, Michael "Skip" Cromer would replace him for the third effort, Oblivion Beckons (2008). That replacement was not a simple one-man hand change but instead, a new member returning with the originals shortly before the act had split and then reunited two years later for their self-titled in 2013.

To Release Is to Resolve (2013) saw the act now on 'Metal Blade Records' and two new members in the form of Brian Henderson (guitars) and Sean Sydnor (bass). The Cicada Tree (2017), however saw an completely new line-up with Brian Henderson (guitars), Sean Sydnor (bass) and Matt Bowles (drums); Bowles being the replacement for Wolfe who would die four years later.

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