Enter our Necropolis this week with the masters of the macabre, The Black Dahlia Murder.
Fast becoming one of the genre’s true torch bearers the Detroit boys began with a line up that was steady. Though after time the line up began to deteriorate, calling for a change in the guard the band decided to bring in a new axe slinger. From fellow death metal band Arsis, Ryan Knight was welcomed aboard The Black Dahlia Murder vessel and the age of Deflorate had begun.
The Black Dahlia Murder – Deflorate
With this album being an incredibly important in the bands career, a decisive time in the life of any band. The metaphorical crossroads. Formed of two, Trevor Strnad and Brian Eshbach, of death metal’s biggest fans the band had a serious tune up. Inserting even more melody into the mix was the addition of ex Arsis guitarist Ryan Knight. Personally Knight is one of my favourite guitarists of the modern day, able to switch the mood a song with one fell swoop akin to our Revocation man Dave Davidson. A prime example being “Throne Of Lunacy” led by an augmented style riff the lead work is then segued into a fantastic melodic solo.
Deflorate was a much needed injection into the band, which began to propel them to the lauded status the band have attained. The blistering speed of the album leading it to be just over 34 minutes is chock full of death metal majesty. From the word go “Black Valor” snaps the listener, and like our Hulk did to Loki thrashes with such vigour. It is also worth noting that Deflorate contains a now live favourite “I Will Return” featuring the band’s most adventurous lead work, again courtesy of the new inclusion of Knight. This Metal Masterpiece led to a very important injection. Without which the band may not have gone on to create their finest hour thus far. The concept driven Ritual. An album that is cohesive, showing the true integration of the band as a whole. Deflorate was this beginning, before Ritual, before Everblack. Marking their return this year with their brand new album a whole new chapter is set to unfold in The Black Dahlia Murder story.
