D-Rail And Byzantine headline metal alldayer at Retro

• 16th May 2005

Not to be confused with the lame similarly named boyband, Leeds four piece D-Rail are instead one of the top bands to emerge from their home city’s thriving hardcore scene. Now on the cusp of releasing debut album ‘The Kinetics of a Decaying Structure’ on Calculated Risk Records, the band look set to build on the great promise shown in their debut ‘Soundtrack To A Heartbeat’ EP and their awesome live shows. Infectious, harsh, fast and ‘in yer face’, D-Rail are everything a great hardcore band should be. With the band being compared to the likes of D.E.P, Converge and Saves The Day, D-Rail have the talent and style that should derail any pretenders to their name.

Like D-Rail, West Virginia’s Byzantine arrive in Manchester on the verge of an album release. Sophomore effort ‘… And They Shall Take Up Serpents’ is one of the most eagerly awaited metal albums of the year following the massive underground success of last year’s debut ‘The Fundamental Component’, released by top metal label Prosthetic Records (home to All That Remains, Lamb of God etc). An intoxicating blend of classic metal and a warped modern approach they have drawn comparisons with Meshuggah, Lamb of God, Forbidden and Pantera among others and gained rave reviews in the metal press.

With this epic allday lineup also containing Bristol’s metal-ambient geniuses Indica and local heroes Last Chance to Dance, this day promises over ten hours of the best emerging local, national and international metal talent.

D-RAIL link
Byzantine link

Indica + Last Chance to Dance + Forgotten Hopefuls + InSilence + Tommy Guerilla + Orchid + Cadaver Burn + Fourth State of Matter

Sunday May 22nd 2005 @ Retro Bar, Manchester. Tickets £6adv, Doors 2pm.

“The current UK metalcore/noisecore scene is as strong as it has ever been at the moment, and D-Rail thoroughly deserve to be considered at the top of the pile, for the unbelievably energetic live shows, the sheer mind battery and the chaotic approach” Raw Nerve Promotions

“… this isn't just another GOOD record from another GOOD Leeds band, oh no, this is a GREAT record from a GREAT Leeds band… D-RAIL are fantastic and can be as big as they want to be.” Reason To Believe

“… heres a sure fire contender for one of the best underground metal albums of '04!… Byzantine hit the nail on the head from the get go- 9/10” Metal Hammer

“Bottom Line: Any fan of heavy metal should love this album, because there is something for everyone. If this album doesn’t send Byzantine to the front of the American metal scene, then something is wrong with metal in general. Since I could recommend this album to fans of Lamb of God, Meshuggah, or Pantera, I really wouldn’t be able to understand how any heavy metal lover couldn’t get into this. This is already one of my picks for 2004's best.” Lambgoat.com