Getting To Know Byzantine’s Matt Bowles!

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The last month or so has been a very exciting time for West Virginia metal legends Byzantine. The band was auditioning for a new drummer, finishing up recording 2 cover songs, and on the verge of signing a worldwide deal with one of the best labels in the business; Metal Blade. In steps West Virginia native Matt Bowles formerly of the band Our Malignant Beloved. He is the newest addition to Byzantine. The band will soon begin the task of writing and recording a follow up to their highly successful album “To Release Is To Resolve”, which made several top 10 lists including ours. We were fortunate enough to catch up with Matt and get to know him a little better. Continue reading

Byzantine Signs Worldwide Deal With Metal Blade Records!

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West Virginian groove metal outfit Byzantine has signed a worldwide deal with Metal Blade Records! The band has really earned this achievement after being a do it yourself band for quite sometime. After releasing their music independently over the last three years, the quartet is ready to unleash their sixth, currently untitled album in early 2017 via their new label home.

Front-man, Chris “OJ” Ojeda had this to say about the band’s recent signing:

“For the last few albums, we have operated outside the fringes of the music community by necessity. I had almost lost hope that we would ever have the chance to showcase our music to the world on a bigger stage. With the help of Brian Slagel and Metal Blade Records, we feel like Byzantine has been given a 2nd chance to make our 1st impression. We are absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to share our brand of heavy music with the world on the world’s best metal label!” Continue reading

Byzantine Set to Announce New Drummer

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West Virginia’s kings of metal Byzantine have been without a drummer for a short period of time now. The band released their latest album ‘To Release Is to Resolve’ in February. The single “The Agonies” received major air play on Sirius XM and was on their top 10 list for a substantial amount of time. The band has always been the metal underdog and this album helped show how truly great they are and helped give them the respect they deserve. Chris “OJ” Ojeda (guitar, vocals) is one of the most down to earth people you will ever meet. Not long after they toured in support of the new album it was announced in December that the band had parted ways with drummer Matt Wolfe. They were quick to announce try outs for a new drummer. The following was posted on the Byzantine facebook page: Continue reading