The Black Dahlia Murder / Crystal Lake / Live Review // The Limelight // Belfast

Black Dahlia Murder / Crystal Lake / Live Review // The Limelight // Belfast

On a continuation of a theme, Belfast is overflowing with metal! I am slowly recovering from Suffocation, Distant and Survivalist last night and somehow walked my ass into another stellar lineup with the mighty Black Dahlia Murder and Japanese Metalcore giants Crystal Lake!

The only saving grace is the start time, not as early as last night so I get an extra hour’s recovery time, when we land in the venue it’s relatively calm, early still but time enough to get your bearings before Crystal Lake hit the stage. Speaking of the lads they land down side stage about 5 minutes before the set kicks off, all pretty chilled, unassuming giving nothing away as to what is about to happen when they get up there.

That, by the way, is one of the most aggressive live sets I’ve witnessed in this room in a very long time, Crystal Lake are a behemoth of a band, the stage as always is challenging here and these guys have their own take on how to approach that with bassist and guitarist playing pretty much back to back away from each other, their drummer perched out front ahead of TBDM own kit so their frontman is climbing up and down on a hardcase he’s using as a platform. From the moment this band rips into their set The Limelight is shaking to its core, the level of filth being tossed out from that stage is also overwhelming! The fusion of the live performance, and ambient backing tracks and visceral live vocals is a tour de force! The room is In shock at the brutality on show from our Japanese friends and Belfast is lapping it up!

As the set gets further down the tracks somehow these guys pull more out do the bag, I’ve never seen a support act rouse such a support! You would think the crowd is here tonight for Crystal Lake! The room is bouncing! Frontman John Robert Centorrino keeps asking for more, I don’t know if Belfast has more to give but they’re saying they can! As the set builds to a crescendo and Crystal Lake slams out their last song, the room is screaming for more! If you haven’t seen these guys live and have half a chance do it! Fuckin incredible!

Crystal Lake Online

We only have a short time to catch our breath as Japanese efficiency means the stage is cleared toot-sweet! And as we gather in our masses I have to admit I am looking forward to seeing the incredible Brandon Ellis on guitar, I had just recently watched a Tube You video on his guitar collection and sweet baby Jesus he has some seriously cool 80’s inspired shit! Tonight he’s favouring his Jackson Kelly as he hits the stage initially, and those 5150 Iconic’s behind him. This is gonna be tasty!

As The Black Dahlia Murder took the stage, delivering a performance that was nothing short of extraordinary. The American melodic death metal band, known for their blistering riffs, relentless drumming, and ferocious vocals, brought their A-game to the iconic venue, leaving the audience in awe and exhilarated.

From the moment the band emerged on stage, the energy in the room was palpable. Opening with “Verminous”, they immediately set the tone for the evening: intense, aggressive, and unapologetically powerful. Brian Eschbach’s guttural growls and piercing screams commanded the crowd’s attention, while the dual guitar assault of Ryan Knight and Brandon Ellis created a wall of sound that was both intricate and punishing.

The setlist was a well-curated journey through the band’s extensive discography, including fan favorites like “Everything Went Black,” “Statutory Ape,” and “What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse.” Each song was delivered with precision and passion, showcasing the band’s technical prowess and deep connection to their music. The crowd responded with fervent enthusiasm, forming mosh pits and chanting along to every chorus.

A standout moment of the night was the performance of “Deathmask Divine,” where Ellis’s guitar solo was nothing short of spectacular, earning him roaring applause from the audience. Drummer Alan Cassidy was a powerhouse behind the kit, driving the relentless pace of the show with his thunderous beats and impeccable timing. Max Lavelle’s bass lines provided a deep, rumbling foundation that anchored the band’s complex compositions.

The visual aspect of the show was equally impressive, with dynamic lighting and a haunting backdrop that complemented the dark themes of their music. The band’s stage presence was commanding, and their interaction with the crowd felt genuine and heartfelt. Strnad, in particular, took moments between songs to express his gratitude to the fans, creating a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect.

As the night drew to a close, The Black Dahlia Murder delivered a thunderous rendition of “I Will Return,” leaving the audience clamoring for more. The band’s encores, a blistering performance of “Warborn and Deathmask Divine” was the perfect finale, sending the crowd into a final frenzy.

The Black Dahlia Murder’s live show at The Limelight Belfast was a masterclass in melodic death metal. Their technical skill, raw energy, and connection with the audience made for an unforgettable experience. Fans left the venue with ringing ears, sore necks, and wide smiles, already eagerly anticipating the band’s next visit. If this performance is any indication, The Black Dahlia Murder shows no signs of slowing down, continuing to push the boundaries of their genre and deliver some of the most compelling live metal performances today. As the metalheads streamed out onto the cool Belfast streets we had to remind ourselves that this week is not yet over, Thy Art is Murder are here tomorrow night 4 other bands in tow! Jesus!

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER:

Brian Eschbach – lead vocals

Max Lavelle – bass

Alan Cassidy – drums

Brandon Ellis – lead guitar, backing vocals

Ryan Knight – rhythm guitar, backing vocals

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THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER To Release Servitude On September 27th Via Metal Blade Records

New Video/Single Now Playing + Preorders Available

Watch/Stream “Aftermath” HERE.

Photo by Marshall Wieczorek

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER will release their tenth studio album, Servitude, on September 27th via Metal Blade Records, today unveiling the record’s first single and preorders.

“Before the tragedy, no one ever thought this band was going to exist without Trevor.”

That’s THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER’s co-founder Brian Eschbach telling it like it is. With the tragic passing of the band’s frontman and co-founder Trevor Strnad in 2022, Eschbach, bassist Max Lavelle, drummer Alan Cassidy, and producer/guitarist Brandon Ellis were faced with a decision: Close the door on one of the most beloved death metal bands of the last twenty years, or carry on in their fallen brother’s charismatic spirit?

“Everyone that’s in the band now is someone that Trevor and I searched for,” Eschbach says. “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.”

After a period of profound grief and deep soul-searching, Eschbach moved from guitar to vocals, setting aside his lifelong identity as a live guitarist for the survival of the band. Former THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER member Ryan Knight returned to the fold to take Eschbach’s place on guitar. The new lineup made their debut in TBDM’s hometown of Detroit in late October 2022 for a tribute show for Strnad.

Fast forward to right about now: THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER’s new album is the one that many would have thought impossible. Servitude marks Eschbach’s recorded debut as THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER’s lead vocalist and lyricist—and their first with Knight on guitar since 2015’s Abysmal.

“I just had to lean into it hard,” Eschbach says of approaching Servitude in a completely new role. “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.”

You can hear the thrilling results on “Aftermath,” the ripping lead single, which envisions a post-apocalyptic cannibal scenario. “We wanted that one to be heard first because it’s one of the faster songs on the album, if not the fastest,” Eschbach says. “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.”

Watch THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER’s video for “Aftermath,” created by My Good Eye: Music Visuals AT THIS LOCATION

The members of THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER know that some will be skeptical of an album without Trevor’s inimitable presence. But many fans have already embraced the band’s decision to move forward.

“More than pressures or expectations from the fanbase, I feel their trust and support,” Ellis says. “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,” he adds. “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!”

The guitars, bass and vocals for Servitude were recorded at Ellis’ home studio in New Jersey. The drums were recorded by Mark Lewis in Nashville, Tennessee where the album was also mixed. Servitude was mastered by Ted Jensen.

Servitude will be released on digipak CD, cassette, and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants and special editions: