In this line-up, on April 3rd, 2008, the band played an unplugged gig at Teatru 74, in the medieval city of Târgu Mureş. The concert was recorded and later released under the MTV Unplugged brand as Acoustic Drama, the first unplugged DVD ever released by a Romanian band. With special guests such as Alexandru Andrieş and Paula Seling, the concert mainly featured songs from the debut, specially arranged for a completely acoustic experience (seven different guitars, banjo, mandolin, cajon, upright bass, acoustic bass, a string quartet, a piano and all sorts of percussion), with no later overdubs in the studio. Additionally, each of the two guests brought a song of their own, and two other brand new songs were also included in the set.
Since fall 2008 and the subsequent Acoustic Drama national tour, the band welcomed Vladimir Săteanu as the new bass player, a craftsman in his own right.
After more touring, a series of special concerts (a two evening gig with an electrical vs. unplugged approach of the same set, an outdoor unplugged session or a live preview of their second studio release to name a few) and an unconventional promotion strategy, the band released their awaited sophomore album, A Kind of Alchemy, in fall 2009. The release marks an evolution in the band's sound, with blues, progressive and funk influences, employing a wider diversity of instruments. In frontman Dan Byron's words, "The mood is nocturnal, rather intimate, sometimes playful or even exuberant", and the album as a whole deals with "the process of creation, ranging from madness to zen".
In spring 2010, the band chooses to release digital versions of their two studio albums under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND license, encouraging listeners to download and share their music free of charge.
Since summer 2010, the band has a new bass player, Dan Georgescu as well as a new drummer, Marcel Moldovan.
February 2011 saw the release of a special project: Perfect, their first album with Romanian lyrics, featuring well known songs by established Romanian artists which were re-arranged and re-interpreted in the band's own style. The music itself is very eclectic, ranging from alternative rock to jazz, swing and even trip-hop, and the guest list is huge (Nicu Alifantis, Alexandru Andrieş, Virgil Ianţu, film director Nae Caranfil and many others).
In November 2010 they've held a couple of special performances (unplugged & electric) in the Turda salt mine in Transylvania, more than 300 feet underground. The resulting material, "Live Underground", was partly shown on HBO Romania. It has been fully released on DVD & Blu-ray in spring 2012, together with a documentary, a series of interviews, making-of features and audio commentary from the band.
In 2012, Dan Georgescu switched instruments and became the band's drummer, while Laszlo Demeter, aka absurdcus, joined in as byron's bass player.
After years of prolonged songwriting during 2009 - 2012, the band's fourth studio album was finally ready in spring 2013. Called "30 Seconds of Fame", the album presents a very diverse sound; byron experimented quite a bit with various electronic elements and textures, yet certain key tracks retain a particular acoustic feel. This is the first byron album to see a bilingual release, being also available as "30 de secunde de faimă" with the lyrics sung in Romanian instead of English.
Some of the album releases are available for full audio streaming on the band's official website, www.byronmusic.ro.
2. Byron - Romanian progressive metal active between 1997 and 1999, when they split up after almost 60 gigs and a few TV appearances. The band members were Daniel Radu "Byron", vocals (who later joined the bands Kumm and Urma, now member of another project also entitled Byron - see above), Felix Barca, guitars, Ciprian Macavei, bass, and Cristi Raducanu, drums, all three active in the defunct Sahara. Presently, Felix and Cristi play with Stonebox.
3. Byron - Formed in 2007, Byron is the solo work of Scott White. Previously from a metal/hardcore background, he began writing music of a contrasting nature following the split of his previous band, Awoken. This year will hopefully see a self-released EP. Byron has now become lakklust
4. Byron - Finnish heavy/doom metal band formed in 2019 by Johannes Lahti after the split of Church of Void.
Crossroads
byron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have to be sure that I am prepared to do what I've been told
But I'm scared of what I might love
Tell me, is there no other way?
I'm supposed to be my highness
And I'm nothing but a slave
Leaving it all away
They said that to be good one has to prove that the path is all clean
But I'm scared of what I might love
Tell me, is there no other way?
I'm supposed to be my highness
And I'm nothing but a slave
What if your thoughts, your dreams are all wrong?
What if my love is just pain on your tongue?
What if I spit on your idols when you pray?
Will you change?
Will you change?
Try not to worry, cheap is the worst me that you'll ever know
I'm glad I refused your known ways of bleeding, your ways to be sold
But I'm scared of what I might love
Tell me, is there no other way?
I'm supposed to be my highness
And I'm nothing but a slave
What if your thoughts, your dreams are all wrong?
What if my love is just pain on your tongue?
What if I spit on your idols when you pray?
Will you change?
Will you change?
The lyrics to Byron's song "Crossroads" explore the inner turmoil of a person as they struggle to find their true path in life. The persona in the song is caught between two roads and must make a decision before they grow old. They long to be prepared for what they have been told to do, but fear what they might love. The persona is meant to be their own leader, but instead, they feel like a slave. They contemplate whether the path they have been brought up to believe is right for them, and whether their thoughts and dreams are all wrong. The message of the song is about the fear of the unknown and the difficulty in making choices that can define our lives.
Throughout the lyrics, the persona is afraid of what they might love, which can be interpreted in different ways. Perhaps they fear falling in love with something that is not socially acceptable or fits into the expectations of their family or culture. It could also be a fear of failure, where pursuing what they love might lead to disappointment, and they question if there is no other way. The lines "What if I spit on your idols when you pray? Will you change?" suggest a desire to challenge the status quo and break away from the expected path. The last verse expresses relief in not following the path of others but acknowledges the fear of what they might love.
Line by Line Meaning
Fail to decide which road I should take before my time grows old
I am uncertain of the path I should take in life, and I fear that if I do not decide soon, it will be too late.
Have to be sure that I am prepared to do what I've been told
I must ensure that I am capable of fulfilling my obligations and responsibilities.
But I'm scared of what I might love
Tell me, is there no other way?
I am fearful of pursuing what I am truly passionate about, and am wondering if there are other options available to me.
I'm supposed to be my highness
And I'm nothing but a slave
I am expected to be in control of my own destiny, but in reality, I feel like I am powerless and helpless.
Leaving it all away
I am considering abandoning my current life and starting over fresh.
They said that to be good one has to prove that the path is all clean
Doing the right things, helping the poor ones, loving your fine queen
Society tells us that in order to be virtuous, we must demonstrate that our actions are morally justified, and that we are good to those less fortunate than ourselves.
What if your thoughts, your dreams are all wrong?
What if my love is just pain on your tongue?
What if I spit on your idols when you pray?
Will you change?
Will you change?
What if my beliefs and desires clash with yours? What if my love is not reciprocated? If I challenge your beliefs, will you be willing to change?
Try not to worry, cheap is the worst me that you'll ever know
I'm glad I refused your known ways of bleeding, your ways to be sold
I am telling myself not to fret, because I know that even at my worst, I am still better than the false version of myself that conforms to someone else's ideals. I am glad that I rejected the societal pressure to conform and sacrifice my own values.
Contributed by Violet S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Madalina Boldea
Poate cea mai frumoasa piesa de la voi.