The Black Dahlia Murder
The Black Dahlia Murder immediately established themselves at the forefront of the then-burgeoning U.S. metal scene when they released their full-length Metal Blade debut Unhallowed in June 2003. The release of that critically lauded album, however, was only the beginning of an epic journey that would find this Detroit, Michigan, quintet dealing with personnel issues and a nonstop touring itinerary that kept them on the road for nearly two years playing with bands as diverse as The Red Chord, Arch Enemy, Napalm Death and Terror. But those experiences ultimately had a profound affect on their latest Metal Blade release, Miasma. “The road has been what really made Miasma what it is,” vocalist Trevor Strnad confesses. “Much of the content here is a direct result of our experience in the band.”
It is no surprise, then, that Miasma reflects the insanity of life on the road for five guys, barely over the legal drinking age, who were playing an endless string of shows across North America and Europe. “It’s quite a bit more personal lyrically, ranging from anthems of cheap sex and drug use to more classic Black Dahlia Murder horror style,” says Strnad. “I’ve tried to reinvent BDM lyrically here. It’s still dark. It’s still really evil shit.”
Strnad’s growth as a lyricist is just one of the ways the band expanded its sound on Miasma. Guitarist Brian Eschbach contributed more to the writing process while his counterpart John Kempainen wrote and played solos for every track. As a result, The Black Dahlia Murder have created an album that reflects the bonds cemented by the band’s two-year odyssey. Recorded and co-produced with the band by Scarlet drummer Andreas Magnusson at Planet Red Studio in Richmond, Virginia, Miasma is a deadly reinvention of The Black Dahlia Murder’s nefariously nasty melodic death metal sound. It is a sound that Kempainen simply describes as “more pissed off.” Strnad sees other improvements, as well, however. “The new songs are much heavier than anything on Unhallowed,” he declares. “We were making a conscious effort to challenge ourselves as players and give each song an identity of it’s own.”
Miasma is just the latest chapter in the ever-twisted saga of The Black Dahlia Murder who since before the release of this immeasurably anticipated sophomore effort, landed themselves a spot on the coveted second stage at Ozzfest 2005 alongside bands like Killswitch Engage, Mastodon, Rob Zombie, and label mates As I Lay Dying. The band followed up their successful run on Ozzfest with an exceptional headlining tour with Between the Buried & Me, Cephalic Carnage, and up and comers Into The Moat which sold out almost every single show as did their co-headlining run with Throwdown which also included label mates The Red Chord in the line up. The band also made their way over to Europe and Japan bringing their brand of American melodic death metal to the masses.
The Black Dahlia Murder is secured to play this summers Sounds of the Underground festival along with In Flames, Terror, Trivium, and label mates Cannibal Corpse and headliners As I Lay Dying. All in all The Black Dahlia Murder have more than proved themselves to be warriors of the road, an unbeaten live act, and ferocious musicians that can not and will not be stopped.
