Byzantine’s Chris “OJ” Ojeda Launches “quarantine jam” video of Metallica’s “The Shortest Straw, CULT OF LILLITH Reveals details for new album, ‘Mara’, FATES WARNING ‘The Spectre Within’, ‘No Exit’, ‘Inside Out’ re-issues now available via Metal Blade Records.
Last month, Byzantine‘s Chris “OJ” Ojeda (vocals/rhythm guitar) took part in a “quarantine jam” of Metallica’s “The Shortest Straw” with Doc Coyle (Bad Wolves; rhythm/lead guitar), Phil Demmel (Vio-lence; lead guitar), Chris Kael (Five Finger Death Punch; bass/backup vocals), and Mike Portnoy (Metal Allegiance; drums), which was filmed and recorded at each members’ home.
Watch the video of this one-of-a-kind collaboration here
Chris “OJ” Ojeda comments: “Chris (Kael) and I have discussed working on something over the past few years since we are old friends. When I mentioned a Metallica cover during this time of restriction, he jumped at the chance. He was able to bring Mike (Portnoy) on board pretty quickly and I pulled Doc (Coyle) and Phil (Demmel) in. I have been musically dormant since the release of ‘The Cicada Tree’, spending time raising my 3 kids and building Trident Music Facility, so it feels GREAT to track some guitars and vocals again. ‘The Shortest Straw’ is quite possibly a perfect Metallica song. I am a piece of driftwood in a sea of Gold performing this classic tune with these fantastic musicians! We hope you enjoy.”
Additionally, on July 25th at 6PM PT//9PM ET, Byzantine will livestream a special performance at Trident Music Facility, featuring music from their first three albums: The Fundamental Component (2004), …And They Shall Take Up Serpents (2005), Oblivion Beckons (2008).
Fans can purchase a $5 ticket to tune in at: www.stageit.com
Byzantine released their latest album, The Cicada Tree, to critical acclaim in 2017. To state that The Cicada Tree is “classic Byzantine” in no way implies that this is an album solely rooted in the band’s past. Certainly, all of the hallmarks that have made their sound so compelling for close to two decades are present and correct: muscular yet lithe riffs and fluid leads play against gripping, dynamic and at times unpredictable rhythms, while rich melodies and lyrics that are both involved and intelligent wind their way through every track. But, once more, the groove metal unit has continued their steady evolution – the interplay between their members organic and natural, imbuing the record’s sixty-two-minute running time with a freshness and urgency.
To stream and purchase The Cicada Tree, please visit: metalblade.com/byzantine
On September 4th, Iceland’s Cult Of Lilith will release their debut full-length, Mara, via Metal Blade Records. A frantic collision of death metal, prog, complex classical structures and more, Mara is a restless, constantly shifting collection that is as imaginative as it is compulsive.
For a first preview of the album, the new single, “Cosmic Maelstrom”, can be heard at: metalblade.com/cultoflilith – where the record can also be pre-ordered
Founded in Reykjavik, Iceland in 2015 by guitarist Daniel Þór Hannesson as the sole member, he hired a session drummer and singer to create the Arkanum EP (2016), going on to put together a full band that was cemented in 2018 with the addition of vocalist Mario Infantes Ávalos. “Stylistically, ‘Mara’ is way more diverse and refined than ‘Arkanum’, but still retains some of the essential ideas of composition. There was another vocalist at the time and since their styles are so different, it has made a big impact on the progression of the band. Mario has great range, so he fits very well with our diverse music. There is also a big difference in sound: ‘Mara’ is much heavier, in your face and beefier than ‘Arkanum’, thanks to the amazing Dave Otero, who mixed and mastered the album.”
Tracking was done at two studios: drums laid down at Dutch Ice Productions with renowned engineer Chris van der Valk (Hail of Bullets) with everything else recorded at guitarist Kristján Jóhann Júlíusson’s Krummafótur Studio. “Tracking guitars was grueling, as it always is for this type of music. Both of our guitarists are perfectionists and achieving a perfect result requires going overboard with tracking until execution is flawless. The whole process was challenging and difficult, but that is kind of the whole point. It makes it more gratifying when it all comes together,” says Júlíusson. The results speak for themselves, and open a thrilling new chapter for a band helping establish Iceland’s place on the extreme metal map.
On August 7th, Fates Warning will release “Original-Series” LP re-issues of their classic albums The Spectre Within, No Exit, and Inside Out via Metal Blade Records.
Pre-order your copies now at: https://www.indiemerch.com & https://de.kingsroadmerch.com
See below for an overview of available formats:
The Spectre Within “Originals-Series” LP re-issue
– sky blue marbled vinyl (USA exclusive)
– 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)
– night blue marbled vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 300 copies)
– violet / blue marbled vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 200 copies)
– blue / white melt w/ red & white splatter vinyl (EU webshop – limited to 100 copies)
No Exit “Originals-Series” LP re-issue
– signal red / white marbled vinyl (USA exclusive)
– 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)
– opaque deep red vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 300 copies)
– light grey / black marbled vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 200 copies)
– silver / blackdust vinyl (EU webshop – limited to 100 copies)
Inside Out “Originals-Series” LP re-issue
– grass green marbled vinyl (USA exclusive)
– 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)
– dark brown marbled vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 300 copies)
– opaque beige marbled vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 200 copies)
– green / brown / red melt vinyl (EU webshop – limited to 100 copies)
