The Black Dahlia Murder were a band in limbo following the tragic passing of frontman and co-founder Trevor Strnad in 2022. Torn between allowing that event to force a premature end to their career or carrying on in their fallen brother’s charismatic spirit, there was no right or wrong choice.
It was simply a matter of what emotional toll either decision would take.
After an understandable period of grief and reflection co-founder Brian Eschbach, bassist Max Lavelle, drummer Alan Cassidy, and producer/guitarist Brandon Ellis were unanimous in their desire to continue, with Eschbach making the transition from guitarist to vocalist and former guitarist Ryan Knight recalled to assume guitar duties.
It was very much a case of baby steps from there, with the future anything but known. But what was known was the remaining members of The Black Dahlia Murder found the resolve to continue, debuting with the new line-up in Detroit that October.
It was a performance which solidified the bond between the bandmates and, fuelled by the passion and acceptance from their loyal fanbase, The Black Dahlia Murder slowly set about rebuilding their lives, due, in part, to the efforts put into writing for album number ten.
That album is now finished and ready to celebrate the next chapter of The Black Dahlia Murder, with Servitude set for release on September 27. Preceded by the singles Aftermath and Mammoth's Hand, Servitude has been universally lauded by those who have been privy to an advance listen, labelled by some as a graceful return to form and by others as a ruthlessly ripping masterclass in death metal dynamics.
One thing you can be sure of is The Black Dahlia Murder have returned to satiate our every sonic desire, with Knight joining HEAVY to discuss the new album and more.
"Good," he smiled when asked how he was feeling about the release. "We've been living with this thing for almost a year, and as the time ticks down, it feels like an eternity. We're ready for this thing to come out and really think everyone's gonna enjoy it."
Twelve months is a long time to sit on unreleased material, allowing for second thoughts or revisions on already constructed work - should you be that way inclined mentally. We ask Knight if he is the sort of person who finishes an album then puts it to bed, or if having it sit there in a holding pattern was an annoyance.
"I feel like this time - at least on my end - I feel pretty solid about it," he measured. "I feel like for me with every record… I never give anything I do… I would never score it and say 'it's 100% score'. But this one I'm pretty happy with. No regrets for me."
Ryan also discussed The Black Dahlia Murder's upcoming album Servitude in more depth, and how it showcases the influence of new band members and a diverse range of musical styles. He also talked about the significance of the singles Mammoth's Hand and Aftermath, which blend the band's classic sound with experimental elements. Ryan reflected on the band's evolution over the years and the balance between maintaining their core sound while incorporating new influences.
We also talked about his reintegration into the band and Brian's transition from guitar to vocals, discussing the challenges of adapting to new roles and sounds. The positive crowd reaction from fans and the band's decision to continue after the loss of Trevor were also highlighted, along with their upcoming U.S. and Canadian tours.