Byzantine, And They Shall Take Up Serpents
Byzantine‘s second release through Prosthetic records is an improvement on their debut — both in terms of subject matter and musical growth. I really enjoyed their first album, but have been enjoying this one just that much more. The main draw for me with this band is Chris Ojeda’s vocal range. He easily hits the deep guttural growls as well as high pitched screams. He even incorporates a little dirty southern rock style on a few tracks. To compare him to a couple of current screamers, he at times sounds like Randy Blythe (Lamb of God) and Burton C. Bell (Fear Factory).
Musically, the band’s sound feels a bit more refined and matured. It’s not as all over the place as their last album, but there are still plenty of speedy thrash parts, moshy metalcore bits, and some insane solos.
Maybe I never really paid much attention to the lyrics from The Fundamental Component, but the subject matter on their latest is heavily rooted in social and political commentary. If heavy political rhetoric isn’t your thing, this album is still without a doubt entertaining — with enough technical riffing and pounding drums to keep any metal head banging away.
Justicia The band starts off strong with “Justicia.” The opening chug sets the mood well while Ojeda’s vocals shred. From the plodding stomp of the opening riff to the technical solos, this track encompasses all the band has to offer in a tight package. Ojeda’s delivery ranges from deep growls to high pitched screams.
Taking Up Serpents The bands quickly shifts to a thrash filled start for the shortest track on the album (just over 3 minutes in length). Ojeda pulls out his best Randy Blythe impression. Thankfully he doesn’t come off sounding like some cheesy rip-off.
Jeremiad Here we hear the first injection of that southern rock vocal delivery that I mentioned before. It can definitely throw the listener for a loop the first time through (or even the second and third). I never fully got comfortable with that style until I had heard the album several times. Ojeda also brings in a clean vocal style to add a little more variety. The music behind his vocals is just crushing. A few brief notes on a keyboard end this one.
Ancestry of the Antichrist It’s not often you hear the current president referred to as the Anti-Christ. The subject matter on this one is definitely anti-Bush and comments heavily on the current situation in Iraq and the oval office. Musically the band brings in a tribal like drum beat at one point. Based on the subject matter it doesn’t quite fit in. I think that a sound that’s more Middle Eastern would have been more appropriate. Either way, it’s a damned good track.
Temporary Temples This track starts off quick and powerful. Ojeda continues the southern rock style while the rest of the band punishes the hell out of their equipment. There’s plenty of mosh to go around for everyone in this track. The band slows the intense pace down to a crawl with some keyboard work about half way through. It’s a bit of a momentum killer, as it lasts a couple of minutes long.
Five Faces of Madness The transition from “Temporary Temples” to this track is pretty smooth, relying on the keyboard work from the previous song before opening up the flood gate for some heavy riffing.
Red Neck War Interesting guitar work starts this on off. It lasts for just under a minute before the rest of the band kicks in. The music doesn’t start off as heavy as the other tracks, rooting itself in straight up rock more than the metal base that’s found in the earlier tracks. That doesn’t stop Ojeda from tearing up the microphone though. The southern style mixed with some heavy guttural growls works really well on this one.
Pity None After the more rock rooted sound of “Red Neck War” it’s nice to come back with the heavier “Pity None.”
Rat Eaters A heavy bass riff leads this one off with Ojeda screaming his ass off. The band brings back the thrash that was lacking in the last couple of tracks.
Salem, Ark. The final track starts off strong with a deep scream and some thrash. The musical pounding keeps going as Ojeda channels a crooning Burton C. Bell before tearing his vocal chords on the deeper delivery.
The matured sound and technical delivery from Byzantine make this one entertaining and exciting album to listen to. It’s not as raw as their debut, but should have enough going on to keep long time fans and new listeners easily entertained.
Favorite Tracks:
Justica
Jeremiad
Temporary Temples
Salem, Ark.
Additional Notes:
Enhanced CD