The Black Dahlia Murder

The Black Dahlia Murder

The Black Dahlia Murder is an American melodic death metal band from Waterford Township, United States, formed in 2001. Their name comes from the 1947 unsolved murder of Elizabeth Short, who is often called the Black Dahlia.

History and lineup

The band begins in late 2000 and reaches its final early lineup in January 2001. Its early recordings include the demo What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse and the four-track EP A Cold-Blooded Epitaph, which is issued on Lovelost Records. After appearances at events such as Milwaukee Metal Fest, the band signs to Metal Blade Records in 2003.

The Black Dahlia Murder goes through several lineup changes over the years. Trevor Strnad and Brian Eschbach remain the only constant members until Strnad’s death in 2022. After that, Eschbach takes over lead vocals. The listed members are Trevor Strnad, Brian Garrett Eschbach, Ryan Knight, Alan Cassidy, Max Lavelle and Brandon Christopher Ellis.

Albums and releases

The band’s first full-length album, Unhallowed, follows the departure of bassist David Lock and is engineered in part by Ryan “Bart” Williams, who also joins the group after touring with them. The second album, Miasma, is released in 2005 and reaches No. 118 on the Billboard 200. After further touring, drummer Shannon Lucas leaves and Alan Cassidy fills in on drums.

Nocturnal appears in 2007 and debuts at No. 72 on the Billboard 200. In 2009, the band releases its first DVD, Majesty, which includes a documentary, live footage from Summer Slaughter and the Children of Bodom tour, as well as music videos and behind-the-scenes material. That same year, long-time lead guitarist John Kempainen leaves and Ryan Knight joins on guitar.

Deflorate follows in 2009 and sells 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week. It debuts at No. 43 on the Billboard 200, No. 5 on the Independent Albums chart, No. 4 on the Top Hard Music Albums chart and No. 50 on the HITS Top 50 Albums chart. The band supports the album with touring alongside Children of Bodom and Skeletonwitch.

Ritual is completed in early 2011 and released in June of that year. It peaks at No. 31 on the Billboard 200, becoming the group’s highest-charting release at that point. In 2012, bassist Max Lavelle joins during the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival. Later that year, Shannon Lucas leaves and Cassidy becomes the touring drummer.

Everblack is released in 2013 and reaches No. 32 on the Billboard 200. The album has 10 tracks and includes the single “Into The Everblack”. In 2014, the band releases the 7-inch EP Grind ’Em All through A389 Recordings as part of Record Store Day’s Black Friday event. It contains three short grindcore covers: “Ripped Up” by Left for Dead, “Rebel Without a Car” by Sedition and “Populous” by Gyga. The songs are recordings from the Miasma period, and the cover art is by Szymon Siech.

In 2015, the band releases Abysmal, produced by Mark Lewis and Ryan Williams. It is described by Strnad as more raw and natural in sound, with more dynamic and developed songs than earlier work. The album includes the songs “Vlad, Son of the Dragon”, “Receipt” and “Threat Level No. 3”.

In early 2016, Ryan Knight leaves and Brandon Ellis replaces him on lead guitar. The eighth album, Nightbringers, follows in 2017 and reaches No. 35 on the Billboard 200. Verminous, the ninth studio album, is released in 2020. In 2024, the band releases the single “Aftermath” and then the album Servitude; “Mammoth’s Hand” appears as a second single. Brandon Ellis leaves in 2025.

Style and standing

The Black Dahlia Murder is associated with death metal, deathcore, melodic death metal, metal and metalcore. Their last eight studio albums chart on the U.S. Billboard 200, and the band becomes one of the best-known contemporary American extreme metal acts.

Trevor Strnad dies in 2022, and a tribute concert is later announced at Saint Andrew’s Hall in Detroit, supported by Darkest Hour and Plague Years. Brian Eschbach then moves from guitar to lead vocals, while Ryan Knight returns on rhythm guitar.