The Black Dahlia Murder – Servitude (Indie Exclusive – Smoke Vinyl)

1 Evening Ephemeral

2 Panic Hysteric

3 Aftermath

4 Cursed Creator

5 An Intermission

6 Asserting Dominion

7 Servitude

8 Mammoth’s Hand

9 Transcosmic Blueprint

10 Utopia Black

Notes: Before the tragedy, no one ever thought this band was going to exist without Trevor.’ That’s The Black Dahlia Murder’s co-founder Brian Eschbach telling it like it is. With the tragic passing of TBDM’s frontman and co-founder Trevor Strnad in 2022, Eschbach, bassist Max Lavelle, drummer Alan Cassidy and producer/guitarist Brandon Ellis were faced with a decision: Close the door on one of the most beloved death metal bands of the last 20 years, or carry on in their fallen brother’s charismatic spirit? – The members of The Black Dahlia Murder know that some will be skeptical of an album without Trevor’s inimitable presence. But many fans have already embraced the band’s decision to move forward. ‘More than pressures or expectations from the fanbase, I feel their trust and support,’ Ellis says. ‘We’ve always done what we do for them, and they’ve appreciated our consistency over the years. The global outcry following Trevor’s passing has shown us how important the band’s music has been to so many people, and how important it is that we continue in his honor. Under all that weight, I think we all knew what needed to be done.’ ‘We put in everything we had, and this is the album that felt right to make,’ he adds. ‘I’m proud of it and proud of the five of us. You can never please everybody, but I know that this music will be a healing and positive force for those who embrace it!’ – ‘Following Trevor’s legacy, Servitude of course marks the beginning of a new era of The Black Dahlia Murder,’ Ellis says. ‘With Brian now taking up the torch, his personality as an inspired lyricist and vocalist shines bright-he knows well what the music needs. Ryan Knight’s return to the band adds a third but familiar guitarist to the writing team, as well as allowing for a twin lead guitar element that the band never previously had. This all opens new terrain creatively. Where some doors have closed, new doors have opened.