The Black Dahlia Murder – Servitude
The Black Dahlia Murder – Servitude
Metal Blade
Release Date: 27/09/2024
Running Time: 33:00
Review by Rory Bentley
9/10
I absolutely hate that I have to start the review with this, but I can’t not, and I promise this will end on a positive note, but the death of Trevor Strnad in 2022 has continued to sting for everyone in Metal. It fucking sucks and it still hurts to think about as I write this, he was a an amazingly talented and beloved figure in the scene and he will be missed forever. However, with the efforts of his surviving band mates his legacy will be kept alive in the best way imaginable- with another album of outstanding, sick and twisted Death Fucking Metal!
“Servitude” was always going to be treated kindly by the music press at large, as is the way when a bereaved band makes a comeback, but Trevor would not have wanted anyone’s pity. Thankfully this is not required l, as whichever way you slice it, this is another fantastic TBDM album in a career full of consistent brilliance. The acoustic intro and ambient waves that begin the record on ‘Evening Ephemeral’ might give you the fear that the band have understandably gone in a sombre, melancholic direction, however fear not- shit gets nasty real fast! The riffs barrel in at a zillion miles an hour, the drums are neck-snappingly brutal, and guitarist-turned lead singer Brian Eschbach screeched out a vile tale of grim human sacrifice witnessed by an audience burning to death in a theatre. It’s exactly what one would want.
Subbing in on axe duties as Brian takes up the mic is the returning Ryan Knight, whose tag team with Brandon Ellis is terrifyingly great. The twin harmonies and synchronised attack on the Melodeath monster ‘Panic Hysteric’ is jaw-dropping and immediately cements them as one of the top guitar teams in the game. The sheer volume of filthy riffs and licks per second is truly wild. The solo and harmonies on ‘Cursed Creator’ in particular are fretboard pornography and made me do some fucked up looking faces and air guitar that I am not proud of.
Circling back to Eschbach, he does a tremendous job taking up Trevor’s blood-stained mic, perfectly hitting the required tone of shrill squeaks and barbaric gutturals with a little theatrical, knowing panache. Lyrically as well he is totally on point, the towering ‘Aftermath’ for example, has a title that implies some kind of tribute to their fallen brother and a feeling of rebuilding one’s life- this is not the case. It’s about a massive fucking asteroid hitting the earth and turning everyone into rabid, subhuman cannibals- as it fucking should be. TBDM songs should feel like a runaway ghost train tearing through all manner of horrific scenarios, so thank the Lord that this vibe has remained intact.
From the doomy, groove-fest of ‘Mammoth’s Hand’ to the buzzsaw chug fest of closing monster ‘Utopia Black’, “Servitude” does everything you want it to do. Crammed into a viciously lean 33 minutes, it’s as good as this genre gets and will make you want to chug 20 beers and head butt a wall before you’ve even got halfway through. By forging something worthy of TBDM legacy and continuing the flawless streak of the band’s catalogue, they have paid the ultimate tribute to Trevor. With Death Metal as mean, driving and life-affirmingly disgusting as this he will always be with us.
‘Mammoth’s Hand’ Official Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. Evening Ephemeral
02. Panic Hysteric
03. Aftermath
04. Cursed Creator
05. An Intermission
06. Asserting Dominion
07. Servitude
08. Mammoth’s Hand
09. Transcosmic Blueprint
10. Utopia Black
LINE-UP:
Brian Eschbach – lead vocals
Max Lavelle – bass
Alan Cassidy – drums
Brandon Ellis – lead guitar, backing vocals
Ryan Knight – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Rory Bentley and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
