Earlier this year, BYZANTINE vocalist/rhythm guitarist Chris "OJ" Ojeda entered the studio to begin recording his solo project - a cover album of late 80s and early 90s thrash metal songs that inspired him and his band mates to form Byzantine.

The cover album, to be recorded under the band name BLACK CAP MINER, is being tracked by longtime Byzantine producer/engineer Charles A. Fisher and mixed by Drew Mazurek. Ojeda is handling the rhythm section and vocals himself and will be featuring various lead guitarists to handle the lead guitar work. The guitarists will be revealed at a later time.

"This is gonna be a blast!" OJ said. "These are songs that I have dug for over 15 years and to have some of my good touring friends ripping it up on these songs with me will be a hoot! There will be some shredders on here for sure!"

The songs slated to be recorded are as follows: MEGADETH- 'The Conjuring', NUCLEAR ASSAULT - 'Brainwashed', ANNIHILATOR - 'Allison Hell', M.O.D - 'True Colors', TESTAMENT - 'Greenhouse Effect', WRATHCHILD AMERICA - 'Climbing The Walls', EXHORDER - 'Legions Of Death', KREATOR - 'People Of The Lie'.

A new update reads:

"Hey guys. The debut cover album by Byzantine singer/guitarist "OJ" is fast underway. And now for you shredders out there, you can win a chance to solo on the album as well!!! Here's how...

Send via email or post a link on myspace/youtube of you ripping the axe and give a brief explanation of why you think you should be the guest soloist on the new Black Cap Miner album and one unlucky fucker will have a chance to shred a solo on the album! Some criteria other than playing killer guitar has to be met:

1. You must have access to a home studio in which to donate your solo to the project. Costs, other than postage, will not be paid by Black Cap Miner!

2. You must have a working phone and access to a PC with internet for communication purposes.

3. You MUST love old school thrash metal!!!

Once the winner is picked, he or she will be notified and glorified on the Byzantine and Black Cap Miner MySpace pages and included in the liner notes as interim shredder!!! The song in which the winner will play on is "Legions of Death" by Louisiana Thrash Gods EXHORDER.

Let the games begin!

Send all submissions and links to OJ at ojbyzantine@yahoo.com or contact Black Cap Miner."