Album Review and Interview: The Black Dahlia Murder

Before the tragedy, no one ever thought this band was going to exist without Trevor.

Servitude marks the beginning of a new era for The Black Dahlia Murder whilst also honouring their unbelievable past. The record holds three different milestones altogether; the band's 10th studio album, the return of Ryan Knight on the guitar and the first album to be released since front-man and co-founder Trevor Strnad's sad passing in 2022. Stepping up to the take over vocal duties is Brian Eschbach, co-founder and previous guitarist for the band completing the line-up with Max Lavelle on bass, drummer Alan Cassidy and Brandon Ellis joining Ryan Knight on guitars. Together, they intend to carry on the band's legacy and their fallen brother's spirit.

We had the opportunity to speak with Ryan about all things The Black Dahlia Murder, Servitude and everything in between. Check out the full interview HERE:

The record opens with 'Evening Ephemeral,' a sinister guitar tone on the backdrop of an eerie crashing shoreline before it rips you apart with an almighty scream from Eschbach accompanied by furious shredding and thunderous drums. Eschbach kicks things off straight from the get-go literally telling you to prepare yourselves and this sets the tone for the entire album. Passion, fury and fevered energy incapsulates you with addictive yet brutal guitar melodies and rhythms. 'Panic Hysteria' launches straight into the onslaught with frantic riffage and venomous vocals. The energy emanates loud and strong here with flying guitar solos carried by rolling drum beats. 'Aftermath' is the lead track from the album and it envisions a post-apocalyptic cannibal scenario. Eschbach goes on to explain:

“We wanted that one to be heard first because it’s one of the faster songs on the album, if not the fastest. “We wanted that very aggressive Black Dahlia melodic death metal feel coming right at you. Lyrically, it’s about a meteor that fucks up the whole planet, but there’s still people living. Kind of like The Walking Dead, but with no zombies—so you get right to how people deal with it. And by the end, they’re eating each other.”

'Aftermath' echoes this sentiment with deliciously dark atmosphere, rampaging drums, sheer brutality and screaming solos. A short, sharp attack on the senses and even though it is the shortest track on the album, it's certainly the heaviest.

'Cursed Creator' continues the attack with more of a focus on rhythm and harsh melodies disguised under the galloping groove-stomps whilst maintaining that venomous edge. Once again, the intricate guitar solos explode and soar to the forefront, expertly showcasing the band's musical prowess. 'An Intermission' does exactly what it says, a brief instrumental interlude of somber, eerie acoustic guitarwork until the chaotic cacophony that is 'Asserting Dominion' explodes out of nowhere. It's safe to say that The Black Dahlia Murder are certainly asserting their dominion over us all here. Frantic yet detailed flurries of guitar attacks, an unrelenting barrage of blast beats, chugging basslines and rasping gutteral vocals lead the stampede without any sign of slowing down.

The title track charges forward with all the raging chaos of an unhinged berserker. Underpinning the brutal chaos are addictive melodies and rhythms to keep your attention in place whilst it batters you in the face with crushing force. 'Mammoth's Hand' changes the pace ever so slightly and is a stand-out track in terms of speed. This is a slower, groove-driven stomp with all the grace of a swinging sledgehammer. The track is partly inspired by a scene from Don Coscarelli’s 1982 swords n’ sorcery epic, The Beastmaster. The record's penultimate offering is 'Transcosmic Blueprint' and it introduces the record's concluding chapters with all the vigour and rage as it began with. Heavy influences from the 90s Swedish Death Metal scene are sprinkled throughout this track. Finally, 'Utopia Black' serves as a worthy conclusion and is the longest track of the record. A final push of sheer devastation and brutality, closing with the same eerie sound as the record opened with, bringing it full circle.

Remaining true to their stylistic approach whilst also bringing new personal touches to the band, Servitude not only marks a new era for the band but opens a whole other world of creativity thanks to the twin lead guitar element the band have experimented with on this record. A brutal onslaught full of passion and rage, The Black Dahlia Murder are back and Servitude cements their dominion over this new chapter.

Rating: 9/10
Release Date: September 27th 2024
Released By: Metal Blade Records
FFO: At The Gates, Carcass, Allaegeon

Track List

1. Evening Ephemeral
2. Panic Hysteria
3. Aftermath
4. Cursed Creator
5. An Intermission
6. Asserting Dominion
7. Servitude
8. Mammoth's Hand
9. Transcosmic Blueprint
10. Utopia Black