THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER is a name most Metalheads will know, love them or hate them, you cannot deny their prolific release and touring schedule nor Trevor’s devotion to supporting underground Death Metal bands. Their new album is here, out now via Metal Blade Records. As someone who really enjoyed their last, “Nightbringers”, I am hopeful this will be some fantastic Melodic Death Metal.
Creepy samples set out the mood before intricate blastbeats convulse to life with melodic, soaring guitar chords. The thrashy, melodious assaults soon spring to life with the usual energetic and upbeat approach TBDM are known for with screamed vocals atop a medley of tight riffing and drumming that barrages forth with the usual catchiness. There is an almost blackened edge, placed subtly in the rhythmic shifts while the Melodeath intricacies and progressions remain in the foreground.
With plentiful stunning solos, the technicality of the release is just as marvellous as ever, while the killer riffs definitely offer the enticing hooks that the band has built their career on while certainly a newer, more extreme feeling is clearly present on this record (possibly due to the aforementioned blackened touches). Pounding with passion and a flawless delivery, while some may find the drums a touch too overproduced, this is otherwise a really well-rounded display of the bands talents.
Ferociously aggressive and masterfully written, the unrelenting obliteration of TBDM surges on without a moment of respite, offering only the most insanely hectic and frenzied Melodeath with a confidence that I cannot help but admire. Naturally this could be assumed for a band that has such a glorious discography. Blistering with a gorgeous balance of melodic excellence and barbaric savagery (though in a very concisely talented package) make for another astoundingly good release from TBDM.
There is enough diversity in tempo and riffs to keep fresh while in just over half an hour, we see an unmistakably riveting and chaotic assault from the band. Truly a crushing feat that has the usual instrumental magnificence backing up harshly screeched vocals, the mix we all know and many of us love, but with a revamped and furthered sense of frantic aggression. Packed with grooves, melodies and hooks that you won’t quickly forget, this is another wonderful release from The Black Dahlia Murder. -8/10
Discover more from NATTSKOG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.