In a musical landscape often divided between tradition and rebellion, ΔYNAMIS dares to fuse both worlds with a fierce yet reverent energy. The brainchild of Christopher Laskos and Bob Katsionis, ΔYNAMIS is a Byzantine epic metal project that dives deep into Orthodox hymnography and hymnology, breathing new life into ancient chants through the raw power of epic metal. Their debut album, Byzantine Metal, is more than just a record — it’s a cultural statement, a sonic journey through history, faith, and the unyielding spirit of Byzantium.
A Meeting of Minds and Eras: The Origins of ΔYNAMIS
Christopher Laskos and Bob Katsionis are no strangers to the metal world. Katsionis, known for his virtuosic skills in bands like Firewind and Serious Black, brings metal mastery to the table. Laskos, with a passion for Byzantine music and Orthodox hymnology, contributes deep cultural and historical knowledge. Together, they have crafted a project that doesn’t just borrow from Byzantine tradition but immerses metal fans in its spiritual and historical depths.
Byzantine hymnography is a rich tradition of sacred chant dating back over a millennium, rooted in the Orthodox Christian liturgy. ΔYNAMIS channels this tradition, weaving its solemn melodies and complex rhythms with the thunderous riffs and epic arrangements typical of metal. This fusion creates a unique soundscape that is as haunting as it is powerful.
"Byzantine Metal": An Album Steeped in History and Power
The album Byzantine Metal is a carefully composed journey that pays homage to Byzantine culture and Orthodox spirituality. Tracks like "Alosis 1453" recount the Fall of Constantinople, a defining moment that marked the end of the Byzantine Empire. This song, and others on the album, blend traditional psalms and hymns with epic metal arrangements, creating an atmosphere that’s both reflective and electrifying.
Recorded with meticulous attention to the authenticity of the hymns, the album balances reverence with intensity. The use of traditional Byzantine scales and modal systems alongside heavy guitars and dynamic drums gives the music a distinct flavor that stands apart in the metal genre.
The Creative Process: Respect and Innovation
Creating Byzantine Metal was no simple task. Laskos and Katsionis approached the project with a scholar’s respect for the source material and a musician’s passion for innovation. They studied Orthodox hymnography deeply, selecting psalms and hymns that resonated with the themes they wanted to explore: faith, struggle, endurance, and loss.
The production process involved blending live instruments with modern recording techniques to preserve the raw energy of metal while honoring the sacred origins of the hymns. The result is a fusion that feels organic — a modern epic that echoes the chants of ancient Byzantium.
ΔYNAMIS in the Metal and Cultural Scene
Byzantine culture has seen a resurgence of interest in recent years, and ΔYNAMIS taps into this wave, bringing it to metal audiences worldwide. The project sits at a crossroads of cultural preservation and musical innovation, introducing listeners to the beauty and depth of Orthodox hymnology through an accessible, powerful medium.
Fans of epic metal, historical themes, and spiritual music will find something fresh in ΔYNAMIS’s work. The project opens doors to a rarely explored intersection of faith and metal, making Byzantine hymnography relevant for new generations.
Byzantine Metal by ΔYNAMIS