Servitude | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 27, 2024 | |||
Genre | Melodic death metal | |||
Length | 32:49 | |||
Label | Metal Blade | |||
Producer |
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The Black Dahlia Murder chronology | ||||
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Singles from Servitude | ||||
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Distorted Sound Mag | 8/10 [3] |
Kerrang! | [4] |
Metal Hammer | [5] |
Metal Storm | 7.7/10 [6] |
MetalSucks | [7] |
Servitude is the tenth studio album by American melodic death metal band the Black Dahlia Murder, released on September 27, 2024, through Metal Blade Records. [8] This is the band's first studio album since Verminous (2020), marking the longest gap between studio albums in their career, and their first after the death of former lead vocalist Trevor Strnad, with Brian Eschbach taking over vocals. It is also The Black Dahlia Murder's first album to feature guitarist Ryan Knight since Abysmal (2015). The album includes the singles "Aftermath" and "Mammoth's Hand".
On May 11, 2022, the band announced that lead vocalist Trevor Strnad had died. While no cause of death was given, the phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline was provided at the end of the band's statement. [9] A few months later, on September 14, the band announced that they would be holding a tribute concert on October 28 at Saint Andrew's Hall in the band's hometown of Detroit. It was also announced that rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Brian Eschbach would become the band's new lead vocalist and that Ryan Knight would be returning to the band as its new rhythm guitarist. [10]
In November 2023, it was announced that the Black Dahlia Murder had entered the studio to record its next studio album and would be releasing it in 2024. [11] [12] [13]
On June 13, 2024, the Black Dahlia Murder announced Servitude with the release of its lead single, "Aftermath". [14] Eschbach spoke about the soundscape of the album: "We wanted that very aggressive Black Dahlia melodic death metal feel coming right at you. Lyrically, it's about a meteor that fucks up the whole planet, but there's still people living." [15] [16]
On August 6, the second single from the album, "Mammoth's Hand", was released. An animated music video for the single premiered later that day. [17] [18]
All lyrics are written by Brian Eschbach.
No. | Title | Music | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Evening Ephemeral" | Eschbach | 3:55 |
2. | "Panic Hysteric" | Ellis | 3:07 |
3. | "Aftermath" | Eschbach | 3:02 |
4. | "Cursed Creator" | Knight | 3:35 |
5. | "An Intermission" | Knight | 0:29 |
6. | "Asserting Dominion" | Knight | 3:31 |
7. | "Servitude" | Ellis | 3:28 |
8. | "Mammoth's Hand" | Knight | 3:54 |
9. | "Transcosmic Blueprint" | Ellis | 3:48 |
10. | "Utopia Black" | Eschbach | 4:00 |
Total length: | 32:49 |
The Black Dahlia Murder
Technical
Chart (2024) | Peak position |
---|---|
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [19] | 49 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [20] | 55 |
Scottish Albums (OCC) [21] | 97 |
UK Album Downloads (OCC) [22] | 69 |
UK Albums Sales (OCC) [23] | 89 |
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [24] | 41 |
UK Physical Albums (OCC) [25] | 98 |
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC) [26] | 15 |
US Top Albums Sales ( Billboard ) [27] | 11 |
The Black Dahlia Murder is an American melodic death metal band from Waterford, Michigan, formed in 2001. Their name is derived from the 1947 unsolved murder of Elizabeth Short, often referred to as Black Dahlia. Currently, the band consists of lead vocalist Brian Eschbach, bassist Max Lavelle, drummer Alan Cassidy, and guitarists Brandon Ellis and Ryan Knight. The Black Dahlia Murder has undergone various lineup changes, with Trevor Strnad and Eschbach remaining the only constant members, until the former's death in 2022, which then saw Eschbach take over lead vocals and Knight replacing him on rhythm guitar.
Unhallowed is the debut studio album by American melodic death metal band the Black Dahlia Murder. It was released through Metal Blade Records on June 17, 2003. An enhanced version of the album was released that included photos and info about the band. Metal Blade released a limited edition vinyl version of Unhallowed on August 20, 2013 in honor of the album's tenth anniversary. The band performed the album in its entirety on their spring 2016 tour with Fallujah and Disentomb.
Miasma is the second studio album by American melodic death metal band the Black Dahlia Murder. Released through Metal Blade Records on July 12, 2005, Miasma is the only album to feature drummer Zach Gibson, who replaced founding member and drummer, Cory Grady, as well as being the last with bassist David Lock. Gibson also left the band the following year after the release of the album and was replaced by Shannon Lucas, formerly of All That Remains.
A Cold-Blooded Epitaph is the first EP by American melodic death metal band the Black Dahlia Murder released in May 2002 on Lovelost Records, it is released as an MCD. This is the band's last release with guitarist John Deering.
Nocturnal is the third studio album by American melodic death metal band the Black Dahlia Murder. It was released through Metal Blade Records on September 18, 2007, and is the band's first album to feature bassist Bart Williams, who replaced Dave Lock, and drummer Shannon Lucas. It is also the last album to feature longtime guitarist John Kempainen.
Whitechapel is an American deathcore band from Knoxville, Tennessee. The band is named after the Whitechapel district in East London, England, where Jack the Ripper committed a series of murders. The group comprises vocalist Phil Bozeman, guitarists Ben Savage, Alex Wade, and Zach Householder, bassist Gabe Crisp and drummer Brandon Zackey. Their core lineup, with the exception of the drummer, has remained consistent since Householder replaced original guitarist Brandon Cagle in 2007. Founded in 2006 by Bozeman and Savage, the band has released eight studio albums and fourteen music videos, and it's currently signed to Metal Blade Records. Whitechapel's 2010 album A New Era of Corruption, sold around 10,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release and debuted at position No. 43 on the Billboard 200 chart. The band's self-titled fourth album was released in 2012 and debuted at No. 47 on the Billboard 200, selling roughly 9,200 copies in its first week. In 2014 the band released their fifth full-length album, Our Endless War to generally positive reviews. The album sold roughly 16,000 copies in its first week and debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200. They released their sixth full-length album Mark of the Blade in 2016 to greater critical acclaim, selling roughly 8,000 copies in the first week of its release. In 2019, Whitechapel released their seventh album, The Valley, which debuted at No. 143 on the Billboard 200 also to critical acclaim. Their newest album, Kin, was released on October 29, 2021.
What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse is the first demo album by American melodic death metal band the Black Dahlia Murder, released independently in May 2001. It is the band's only record to feature Sean Gauvreau on bass. Although the Black Dahlia Murder is considered to be a melodic death metal band, the style of the demo has been described as metalcore. Vocalist Trevor Strnad said in an interview that much of the material on the demo is a blatant "rip-off" of the metalcore band Prayer for Cleansing.
Carnifex is an American deathcore band from San Diego County, California. Formed in 2005, they are currently signed to Nuclear Blast after having been signed to Victory Records. They have released nine studio albums and three EPs. Since 2022, the band has consisted of founding members, lead vocalist Scott Ian Lewis and drummer Shawn Cameron, along with rhythm guitarist Cory Arford, bassist Fred Calderon and lead guitarist Neal Tiemann.
Deflorate is the fourth studio album by American melodic death metal band the Black Dahlia Murder. Released through Metal Blade Records on September 15, 2009. The album sold 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release and debuted at position #43 on the Billboard 200.
Ritual is the fifth studio album by American melodic death metal band the Black Dahlia Murder. It was released on June 17 in Europe and on June 21 in North America via Metal Blade Records. It is the band's last record to feature Ryan "Bart" Williams on bass and Shannon Lucas on drums. The album sold 12,960 copies in the United States in its first week of release and debuted at No. 31 on the Billboard 200. The album has sold 51,000 copies in the US as of September 2015.
Everblack is the sixth studio album by American melodic death metal band the Black Dahlia Murder. The album was released through Metal Blade Records on June 11, 2013. It is the first release by the band to feature drummer Alan Cassidy and bassist Max Lavelle.
Abysmal is the seventh studio album by American melodic death metal band the Black Dahlia Murder. It was released on September 18, 2015 through Metal Blade Records. It was produced by Mark Lewis, who also produced The Black Dahlia Murder's albums Deflorate and Ritual, and the band's former bassist Ryan Williams, who also produced their preceding album Everblack. It was the band's last album to feature guitarist Ryan Knight before his departure in February 2016, until his return in 2022 and performance on Servitude in 2024.
Revulsed is an Australian death metal band that was founded in 2010. Revulsed's debut album Infernal Atrocity was featured on No Clean Singing and Trevor Strnad of the Black Dahlia Murder's best albums of 2015 lists.
Infernal Atrocity is the debut album by Australian death metal band Revulsed.
Nightbringers is the eighth studio album by American melodic death metal band the Black Dahlia Murder. This is the first album to feature Brandon Ellis on lead guitar, replacing Ryan Knight. It was released on October 6, 2017, through Metal Blade Records. Nightbringers became the best-selling direct-to-consumer pre-order in Metal Blade Records' history.
Visitant is the sixth studio album by American extreme metal band Arsis, released on November 2, 2018, via Nuclear Blast and Agonia. It was the last to feature lead guitarist Brandon Ellis before his resignation to join The Black Dahlia Murder.
Verminous is the ninth studio album by American melodic death metal band the Black Dahlia Murder. It was released on April 17, 2020, through Metal Blade Records. This is the band's final album to feature original member and lead vocalist Trevor Strnad before his death on May 11, 2022.
Shadow of Intent is an American deathcore band from Connecticut. They formed in 2013 as a Halo-themed studio project by Ben Duerr and Chris Wiseman. The band's name is a reference to a Covenant ship in the Halo series. They are not signed to a label and have released all their albums independently. They have released four studio albums to date, along with two instrumental versions of previous releases, and a deluxe album. Their fourth studio album, Elegy, was released independently on January 14, 2022.
Melancholy is the third album by deathcore band Shadow of Intent. The album was released on August 16, 2019. It is their first album with Andrew Monias on bass, and their only album with Anthony Barone on drums before he was replaced by Bryce Butler of Contrarian. Melancholy marked a departure from writing strictly Halo-themed music, instead being what has been described as a concept album depicting mass suicides orchestrated by a demonic goddess. An instrumental version of Melancholy was also released on November 22, 2019.
Suffer in Hell is the sixth studio album by American deathcore band Chelsea Grin. It was released on November 11, 2022. It is the first release from the band without drummer/co-vocalist Pablo Viveros since their 2012 EP Evolve; Viveros has been on hiatus from the band since 2021 and had made commitments with another artist in the downtime during COVID-19 pandemic to perform and tour. They revealed he was still a member of the band, but would continue to take a hiatus from the band to fulfill his commitments, with session member Nathan Pearson taking his place.