The Black Dahlia Murder Premiere New Single & Music Video “Aftermath” From Upcoming New Album “Servitude”
Melodic death metal outfit The Black Dahlia Murder’s first new studio full-length since Trevor Strnad’s passing in 2022 has been named “Servitude” and is set for release on September 27th via Metal Blade. The band has launched the first single, “Aftermath,” from the upcoming album.
Following Strnad’s death, guitarist/vocalist Brian Eschbach transitioned to the lead vocal role, while guitarist Ryan Knight rejoined the band to fill Eschbach’s previous position.
The production of “Servitude” was primarily handled internally, with guitarist/vocalist Brandon Ellis overseeing the sessions at his studio. The drum recordings were conducted under the guidance of producer Mark Lewis (Cannibal Corpse, DevilDriver), who also collaborated with Ellis on mixing the album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries
Reflecting on continuing without Strnad, Eschbach stated:
“Before the tragedy, no one ever thought this band was going to exist without Trevor. Everyone that’s in the band now is someone that Trevor and I searched for. We spent so much time on the road together that everyone understands the mission statement. We don’t really need to talk about it. We just need to make great music and try to make people happy playing it.”
Regarding his expanded role as a vocalist and lyricist, Eschbach shared:
“I just had to lean into it hard. Honestly, writing the lyrics for this album was easier for me than writing the music for the three songs that I wrote music for. I’d pick a subject, research it, and just kinda dive in. Even though it’s not something I’d really ever done before, there was a natural flow to it once I started.”
A music video for “Aftermath” was filmed with director David Brodsky (Cattle Decapitation, Deicide) and has just been released. Eschbach commented on the track:
“We wanted that one to be heard first because it’s one of the faster songs on the album, if not the fastest. 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. Kind of like The Walking Dead, but with no zombies-so you get right to how people deal with it. And by the end, they’re eating each other.”
Eschbach also addressed the task of replacing his late bandmate and the reception he’s received since:
“More than pressures or expectations from the fanbase, I feel their trust and support. 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. 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!”
Adds Ellis:
“Following Trevor‘s legacy, ‘Servitude‘ of course marks the beginning of a new era of The Black Dahlia Murder. 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.”
Plans have already been laid for the album’s next two follow-up singles ,with “Mammoth’s Hand” and “Panic Hysteria” next in line. The former is inspired by the 1982 film ‘The Beastmaster‘, as Eschbach explained:
“We usually like to give some idea of what kind of diversity is gonna be on the album with the first two tracks we release. Ryan Knight wrote the music for this, and the slow rhythm made me think of these barbaric warriors riding mammoths out in the snow or that scene from The Beastmaster when the Jun horde takes the village.”
As for the latter, Eschbach offered:
“It’s actually about rock n’ roll. I was reading quotes from Frank Sinatra, who really didn’t like rock n’ roll, and was pretty eloquent about it. I quoted him a couple of times in the song. That was a fun Sunday writing those lyrics. I’m not gonna lie-vodkas and Shirley Temples were involved.”
“Servitude” track listing:
01 – “Evening Ephemeral”
02 – “Panic Hysteric”
03 – “Aftermath”
04 – “Cursed Creator”
05 – “An Intermission”
06 – “Assering Dominion”
07 – “Servitude”
08 – “Mammoth’s Hand”
09 – “Transcosmic Blueprint”
10 – “Utopia Black”
