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The Black Dahlia Murder is an American melodic death metal band from Waterford, Michigan, formed in 2001. The band was founded by Trevor Strnad (vocals), Brian Eschbach (guitar), and John Deering (bass). Over the years, the lineup has seen several changes, with key members including Ryan Knight (guitar), Max Lavelle (bass), and Alan Cassidy (drums). The band has released nine studio albums: Unhallowed (2003), Miasma (2005), Nocturnal (2007), Deflorate (2009), Ritual (2011), Everblack (2013), Abysmal (2015), Nightbringers (2017), and Verminous (2020).
The Black Dahlia Murder has achieved significant success in the metal scene, with several albums charting on the Billboard 200. Their intense live performances and relentless touring have earned them a loyal fanbase. The band is known for their technical proficiency and blending melodic elements with brutal death metal, making them a standout act in the genre. They have headlined numerous tours and festivals and continue to be a prominent force in the metal community.
Unhallowed
Released June 17, 2003
Unhallowed is the debut studio album by The Black Dahlia Murder, released on June 17, 2003, through Metal Blade Records. The album is characterized by its melodic death metal style, blending aggressive vocals with intricate guitar work. It established the band as a force in the metal scene.
The album features Trevor Strnad on vocals, Brian Eschbach on guitar, John Kempainen on guitar, David Lock on bass, and Cory Grady on drums. Unhallowed was produced by Chris Dowhan and recorded at Cloud City Studios in Redford, Michigan, in 2003.
CD Track Listings:
- “Unhallowed” – 1:59
- “Funeral Thirst” – 3:55
- “Elder Misanthropy” – 2:34
- “Contagion” – 3:24
- “When the Last Grave Has Emptied” – 3:11
- “Thy Horror Cosmic” – 3:39
- “The Blackest Incarnation” – 4:14
- “Hymn for the Wretched” – 4:19
- “Closed Casket Requiem” – 3:13
- “Apex” – 4:11
Miasma
Released July 12, 2005
Miasma is the second studio album by The Black Dahlia Murder, released on July 12, 2005. The album built on the success of their debut, featuring more complex compositions and faster tempos. It peaked at number 118 on the Billboard 200.
The album features Trevor Strnad on vocals, Brian Eschbach on guitar, John Kempainen on guitar, David Lock on bass, and Zach Gibson on drums. Miasma was produced by Eric Rachel and recorded at Trax East in South River, New Jersey, in 2005.
CD Track Listings:
- “Built for Sin” – 1:15
- “I’m Charming” – 2:55
- “Flies” – 3:26
- “Statutory Ape” – 3:40
- “A Vulgar Picture” – 3:37
- “Novelty Crosses” – 3:48
- “Dave Goes to Hollywood” – 3:59
- “Miscarriage” – 3:17
- “Spite Suicide” – 3:08
- “Miasma” – 4:43
Nocturnal
Released September 18, 2007
Nocturnal is The Black Dahlia Murder’s third studio album, released on September 18, 2007. This album saw the band refining their sound and achieving critical acclaim. It reached number 72 on the Billboard 200, making it their highest-charting album at the time.
The album features Trevor Strnad on vocals, Brian Eschbach on guitar, John Kempainen on guitar, Bart Williams on bass, and Shannon Lucas on drums. Nocturnal was produced by Jason Suecof and recorded at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida, in 2007.
CD Track Listings:
- “Everything Went Black” – 3:17
- “What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse” – 3:50
- “Virally Yours” – 3:02
- “I Worship Only What You Bleed” – 1:59
- “Nocturnal” – 3:13
- “Deathmask Divine” – 3:37
- “Of Darkness Spawned” – 3:22
- “Climactic Degradation” – 2:39
- “To a Breathless Oblivion” – 4:57
- “Warborn” – 4:42
Deflorate
Released September 15, 2009
Deflorate is the fourth studio album by The Black Dahlia Murder, released on September 15, 2009. The album continued the band’s trend of combining brutal death metal with melodic elements. It debuted at number 43 on the Billboard 200.
The album features Trevor Strnad on vocals, Brian Eschbach on guitar, Ryan Knight on guitar, Bart Williams on bass, and Shannon Lucas on drums. Deflorate was produced by Jason Suecof and recorded at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida, in 2009.
CD Track Listings:
- “Black Valor” – 3:09
- “Necropolis” – 3:30
- “A Selection Unnatural” – 2:49
- “Denounced, Disgraced” – 3:43
- “Christ Deformed” – 3:29
- “Death Panorama” – 1:55
- “Throne of Lunacy” – 3:25
- “Eyes of Thousand” – 3:13
- “That Which Erodes the Most Tender” – 3:00
- “I Will Return” – 5:35
Ritual
Released June 21, 2011
Ritual is The Black Dahlia Murder’s fifth studio album, released on June 21, 2011. The album features a more atmospheric and dynamic sound, with themes inspired by the occult. It reached number 31 on the Billboard 200.
The album features Trevor Strnad on vocals, Brian Eschbach on guitar, Ryan Knight on guitar, Bart Williams on bass, and Shannon Lucas on drums. Ritual was produced by Mark Lewis and recorded at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida, in 2011.
CD Track Listings:
- “A Shrine to Madness” – 3:50
- “Moonlight Equilibrium” – 3:28
- “On Stirring Seas of Salted Blood” – 4:44
- “Conspiring with the Damned” – 3:43
- “The Window” – 3:39
- “Carbonized in Cruciform” – 4:46
- “Den of the Picquerist” – 1:30
- “Malenchanments of the Necrosphere” – 4:19
- “The Grave Robber’s Work” – 3:37
- “The Raven” – 4:42
- “Great Burning Nullifier” – 3:24
- “Blood in the Ink” – 4:30
Everblack
Released June 11, 2013
Everblack is the sixth studio album by The Black Dahlia Murder, released on June 11, 2013. The album returns to darker themes and heavier soundscapes, receiving critical acclaim. It peaked at number 32 on the Billboard 200.
The album features Trevor Strnad on vocals, Brian Eschbach on guitar, Ryan Knight on guitar, Max Lavelle on bass, and Alan Cassidy on drums. Everblack was produced by Jason Suecof and Mark Lewis, and recorded at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida, in 2013.
CD Track Listings:
- “In Hell Is Where She Waits for Me” – 5:14
- “Goat of Departure” – 3:51
- “Into the Everblack” – 4:32
- “Raped in Hatred by Vines of Thorn” – 4:33
- “Phantom Limb Masturbation” – 3:55
- “Control” – 3:25
- “Blood Mine” – 3:26
- “Every Rope a Noose” – 3:51
- “Their Beloved Absentee” – 5:01
- “Map of Scars” – 4:22
Abysmal
Released September 18, 2015
Abysmal is the seventh studio album by The Black Dahlia Murder, released on September 18, 2015. The album features relentless speed and aggression, cementing the band’s reputation in the death metal genre. It reached number 45 on the Billboard 200.
The album features Trevor Strnad on vocals, Brian Eschbach on guitar, Ryan Knight on guitar, Max Lavelle on bass, and Alan Cassidy on drums. Abysmal was produced by Mark Lewis and recorded at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida, in 2015.
CD Track Listings:
- “Receipt” – 4:37
- “Vlad, Son of the Dragon” – 3:02
- “Abysmal” – 3:41
- “Re-Faced” – 3:10
- “Threat Level No. 3” – 3:25
- “The Fog” – 4:16
- “Stygiophobic” – 1:54
- “Asylum” – 3:48
- “The Advent” – 3:50
- “That Cannot Die Which Eternally Is Dead” – 3:46
Nightbringers
Released October 6, 2017
Nightbringers is the eighth studio album by The Black Dahlia Murder, released on October 6, 2017. The album showcases a refined and polished sound, featuring complex compositions and technical proficiency. It debuted at number 35 on the Billboard 200.
The album features Trevor Strnad on vocals, Brian Eschbach on guitar, Brandon Ellis on guitar, Max Lavelle on bass, and Alan Cassidy on drums. Nightbringers was produced by Jacob Hansen and recorded at Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark, in 2017.
CD Track Listings:
- “Widowmaker” – 4:42
- “Of God and Serpent, Of Spectre and Snake” – 3:49
- “Matriarch” – 3:17
- “Nightbringers” – 3:38
- “Jars” – 3:28
- “Kings of the Nightworld” – 3:10
- “Catacomb Hecatomb” – 2:57
- “As Good as Dead” – 3:15
- “The Lonely Deceased” – 4:35
Verminous
Released April 17, 2020
Verminous is the ninth studio album by The Black Dahlia Murder, released on April 17, 2020. The album is noted for its experimental approach and lyrical themes centered around decay and pestilence. It peaked at number 99 on the Billboard 200.
The album features Trevor Strnad on vocals, Brian Eschbach on guitar, Brandon Ellis on guitar, Max Lavelle on bass, and Alan Cassidy on drums. Verminous was produced by Brandon Ellis and recorded at The Shred Light District in New Jersey, in 2019 and 2020.
CD Track Listings:
- “Verminous” – 3:51
- “Godlessly” – 3:29
- “Removal of the Oaken Stake” – 3:45
- “Child of Night” – 3:39
- “Sunless Empire” – 4:15
- “The Leather Apron’s Scorn” – 3:19
- “How Very Dead” – 4:12
- “The Wereworm’s Feast” – 4:02
- “A Womb in Dark Chrysalis (Interlude)” – 2:08
- “Dawn of Rats” – 4:44
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BLACK DAHLIA MURDER STUDIO ALBUMS
Complete List Of The Black Dahlia Murder Albums And Discography article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024