As the third millennium got under way, heavy metal fans finally began emerging from their grunge fallout shelters and, having endured an additional period of oppression beneath the mostly horrific reign of nu metal, found some exciting new hard music alternatives before them, at last. Many were these fresh stylistic subsets rising to prominence (including metallic hardcore, neo-thrash, post-metal, and reinvigorated black and death metal scenes), but there were also a few bands too eclectic to categorize, and among the most inventive was West Virginia's aptly named Byzantine. Hailing from the small town of Chapmanville — population of 1,211 on the year of the census and the band's founding: 2000 — Byzantine started out as a trio comprised of vocalist/guitarist Chris Ojeda, bassist Chris Adams (both formerly involved with Morgantown-based thrashers New Family), and guitarist Tony Rohrbough, who were backed by a drum machine on their first few shows before securing the services of one Jeremy Freeman, who was replaced in short order by permanent drummer Matt Wolfe.
Several formative demos were recorded between 2000 and 2002, and the group signed an agreement with a small local production company called DK Entertainment, which went as far as financing the recording of Byzantine's would-be first album, but when they proceeded to sit on the unreleased masters for too long, the bandmembers decided to take matters into their own hands. In 2003, they self-released the six-song Broadmoor EP (named after the studio that spawned it) and were almost immediately scouted by L.A.-based Prosthetic Records, which sent them back into the studio to re-record the EP's songs, tack on four more, and thereby deliver Byzantine's official full-length debut, The Fundamental Component, released in February 2004. With its prejudice-free mix of clean and rough vocals, prog metal technicality, and hardcore aggression, the album didn't fit into any convenient metallic subgenre, and therefore made Byzantine acceptable touring mates for bands as diverse as Caliban, All That Remains, and Lamb of God (who had helped them connect with Prosthetic in the first place), while earning the band a prominent position in what was then being dubbed "the New Wave of American Heavy Metal."
Having already established an intriguing penchant for discussing historical and environmental issues relating to their Appalachian surroundings, Byzantine decided to get all biblical with the title of their sophomore album, ...And They Shall Take Up Serpents (inspired by a local preacher who liked to do just that!), which emerged in May of 2005 and was recorded as a trio following the departure of bassist Adams over the preceding winter months. His replacement, Michael Cromer, hit the road with the group immediately after the album's release, beginning with a headlining U.K. tour (clear evidence of Byzantine's growing popularity), then stateside dates with Eyehategod and Buried Inside, followed by the U.S.-roving International Extreme Music Festival (also featuring God Dethroned, Nightrage, Epoch of Unlight, and several others), before winding own the year with yet another trek dubbed Under the Underground. All of this grueling roadwork and the exposure it afforded for the band came at a bitter price, though, as guitarist Rohrbough decided he'd had enough, and had to be replaced by Eric Seevers for the last of these tours, as well as an appearance at the New England Metal Fest in April 2006 and subsequent dates with Still Remains, Agnostic Front, and, later, Kittie.
Then, Byzantine finally took a well-deserved break at year's end, but by February of 2007, Ojeda, Wolfe, Cromer, and a reinstated Rohrbough were already ensconced in the studio once again, initiating the four-month sessions for what would be their third and most adventurous album yet. In April, Prosthetic released the group's first DVD, Salvation, and then began posting a steady stream of information, cover art, and songs from the forthcoming LP, which was now officially entitled Oblivion Beckons, and whose release was abruptly postponed from that fall to early 2008. This indeed came to pass, but a mere week after the album's late-January release, Byzantine issued a statement announcing they could no longer function as a band and were therefore going their separate ways. More details were not forthcoming and only added to fan frustration over this unexpected turn of events, but when Ojeda began working on an album of classic thrash covers later that year, the reality of Byzantine's demise finally began sinking in, leaving only their influential three-album legacy to serve as some measure of consolation. However, they reunited in August 2010, with a new guitarist, Brian "Hendo" Henderson. Later on in 2012 original guitarist Tony Rohrbough rejoined permanently.
Expansion And Collapse
Byzantine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Detached, removed from the spine
Possessed with a feeling of death
A compulsion to silence the goodness
Everyone dies but not everyone lives
The plague modern times instilled
This revelation cured me of this sickness of the mind
Wronged in our chance to comprehend immortality
Power beyond the amorphous stature breathing lies
Inside the ties that bind
Waves of doubt wash over me
Skepticism oscillates in the mind
Relief from the pagan beliefs
That are contrary to the submissive
Faith and doubt constantly collide
Joined together on immeasurable planes
More courage does it take to suffer than to die
Power beyond the amorphous stature breathing lies
Inside the ties that bind
Recalculate infinity
Expand just to collapse on me
[Solo Tony]
A glimpse of moving light that you must bring to focus
Grows in proportion to the pressure on the eyes
The lyrics of the Byzantine song "Expansion And Collapse" touch on themes of self-discovery, mortality, belief systems, and the internal struggle between faith and doubt.
In the first verse, the songwriter describes a transformative experience of being cleansed and detached from societal pressures. They feel a strong compulsion to silence the positive aspects of life and embrace a feeling of death. This can be interpreted as a rejection of conventional norms and a desire to explore the darker aspects of existence.
The following line, "Everyone dies but not everyone lives," suggests that while death is inevitable for all, not everyone truly experiences the fullness of life. The plague of modern times has instilled a revelation in the songwriter, opening their eyes to the sickness of the mind caused by societal constraints.
The second verse delves into the theme of understanding immortality. The songwriter feels wronged because they have been denied the chance to fully comprehend the concept. They suggest that there is a higher power or authority that breathes lies, creating a sense of confusion and deception within society.
The waves of doubt that wash over the songwriter represent skepticism and a constant oscillation in their thoughts. They find relief from the pagan beliefs that contradict their own submissive nature. This reveals an internal struggle between faith and doubt, as the songwriter tries to reconcile contradictory beliefs.
The chorus emphasizes the power and influence of these conflicting belief systems. The ties that bind us to these beliefs are described as amorphous, suggesting a lack of clear definition or boundaries. The lies breathed by the higher authority have a profound impact on our perspectives and actions.
In the final verse, the songwriter describes the process of recalculating infinity and expanding only to ultimately collapse. This can be interpreted as a cycle of growth and self-discovery followed by a collapse or a return to a state of uncertainty. The solo guitar represents a fleeting moment of clarity or insight.
The closing line talks about a moving light that one must focus on, which grows in proportion to the pressure on the eyes. This can be understood as a metaphor for the pursuit of truth and understanding. The more pressure or challenge one faces, the clearer the path becomes.
Overall, "Expansion And Collapse" portrays a journey of self-discovery and the struggle to find meaning and truth in a complex world. It explores the tensions between societal expectations, personal beliefs, and the longing for a deeper understanding of life and mortality.
Line by Line Meaning
Waves of calm they washed me clean
A sense of tranquility purged me of my burdens
Detached, removed from the spine
Disconnected and liberated from societal constraints
Possessed with a feeling of death
Consumed by a contemplation of mortality
A compulsion to silence the goodness
An urge to suppress virtuous qualities
Everyone dies but not everyone lives
Not all individuals truly embrace life
The plague modern times instilled
The destructive impact of contemporary society
This revelation cured me of this sickness of the mind
This insight freed me from mental affliction
Wronged in our chance to comprehend immortality
Deprived of understanding eternal existence
Power beyond the amorphous stature breathing lies
Authority that transcends deceptive appearances
Inside the ties that bind
Within the bonds that restrict
Waves of doubt wash over me
Uncertainty engulfs my thoughts
Skepticism oscillates in the mind
Doubt fluctuates within the consciousness
Relief from the pagan beliefs
Freedom from heathen ideologies
That are contrary to the submissive
Which oppose the submissive nature
Faith and doubt constantly collide
Belief and skepticism perpetually clash
Joined together on immeasurable planes
Unite within dimensions beyond measure
More courage does it take to suffer than to die
Enduring hardship requires greater bravery than mere death
Recalculate infinity
Reevaluate the concept of boundlessness
Expand just to collapse on me
Grow only to eventually crumble upon myself
[Solo Tony]
An instrumental solo by Tony
A glimpse of moving light that you must bring to focus
An ephemeral illumination requiring concentration to perceive
Grows in proportion to the pressure on the eyes
Intensifies with the strain placed upon one's vision
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
InfinitExpanse
When one song feels like an entire album- unbelievable talent in this band
Andrew Patterson
Wish more people knew how excellent this band, this is some amazing shit. Brilliant at that. The entire album is.
Scott Best
god damn this band is really good if anyone knows any other good screamo bands tell me please
MusicOfAdam
One of the few prides of West Virginia that I'm glad to say we have.
Anne
this is not scremo ,it doesnt require a sub genre tag
Marsh the Darsh
I agree, best band on qwewqeq2's little list by far. I prefer these to textures though. Better songwriting imo
Owen Cox
MYFUCKINGGRAIN KICKASS.
GrooveFiend25
@qwewqeq2 i fucking love textures!
AmericanChoirboy
solooo?