Charleston, West Virginia’s metal veterans Byzantine return with their long-anticipated new album, Harbingers (Metal Blade Records), set for release on June 13th, 2025.
Produced by Peter Wichers (Soilwork, All That Remains, Nevermore), Harbingers delivers nine tracks of crushing intensity and introspective lyricism, clocking in at forty-five minutes. The album showcases one of the most criminally underrated forces to rise from the New Wave of American Heavy Metal in the early 2000s and is now evolving into a five-piece for the first time. This album finds itself at the intersection of groove and progressive metal, as well as melodic thrash, bridging the style of bands like Testament and Lamb of God.
This band blends crushing heaviness with intricate melodic phrasing, weaving progressive song structures into a framework driven by relentless groove. Their sound is both surgical and primal, technical riffs lock into punishing rhythms while soaring leads and haunting harmonics add emotional depth. Vocals are deep, commanding, and full of raw masculine grit, cutting through the mix with conviction. Every track feels like a calculated assault, yet there’s a sense of artistry behind the aggression, where complex time signatures and seamless transitions reflect a deep musicianship rarely found in such ferocity.
Fronted by founding vocalist and guitarist Chris “OJ” Ojeda, the lineup includes returning guitarist Tony Rohrbough, bassist Ryan Postlethwait, seasoned shredder Brian Henderson, and drummer Matt Bowles. With Harbingers, Byzantine further cements their legacy across a seven-album career. “After twenty-five years of riding the struggle bus, we’re ready to show the rock and metal world what we’re truly about,” says Ojeda.
The striking album artwork by mixed-media artist Ashley Hoey features Irene of Athens, the first female empress of the Byzantine Empire and mother of Emperor Constantine. Her image ties into the album’s title: Harbingers.
All in all, this album is fantastic and was a pleasure to listen to.
Buy the album here:
https://www.metalblade.com/us/
10/10
RICHARD REYNOLDS
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