West Virginia's forward-thinking thrashers Byzantine are currently featured in Decibel magazine's online blog. Frontman OJ Ojeda chimes in on his take on the worst characters ever invented in the realm of He-Man and The Masters of The Universe. To check it out, head over to the Deciblog.

Byzantine is currently hard at work finishing work on the band's forthcoming album, 'Oblivion Beckons'. The follow-up to 2005's ...'And They Shall Take Up Serpents', 'Oblivion Beckons' was again recorded with producer Aaron Fischer and will feature art by longtime Byzantine collaborator Donnie Searls.

'Oblivion Beckons' tracklist (in alphabetical order):
1. Absolute Horizon
2. All Hail the Endtimes
3. A Residual Haunting
4. Catalyst
5. Centurion
6. Deep End of Nothing
7. Expansion and Collapse (Renavatio)
8. Nadir
9. Oblivion Beckons
10. Pattern Recognition
11. Receiving End of Murder
12. The Gift of Discernment

The band also recently released its first DVD, 'Salvation', which saw an April 2007 release through Prosthetic Records. Featuring a live action film, bootleg clips, extensive interviews and behind the scenes footage, the "Jeremiad" video, as well as an unreleased song - which is only available on 'Salvation,' and won't appear on 'Oblivion Beckons'. The new track, dubbed "Cradle Song," is available exclusively on iTunes .