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".
| Servitude | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 27, 2024 | |||
| Genre | Melodic death metal | |||
| Length | 32:49 | |||
| Label | Metal Blade | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| The Black Dahlia Murder chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Servitude | ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metal Hammer |   [3] |
| MetalSucks | [4] |
| Kerrang! | [5] |
| Distorted Sound Mag | 8/10[6] |
| Metal Storm | 7.7/10[7] |
Background
editOn 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]
Track listing
editAll 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 | ||
Personnel
editThe Black Dahlia Murder
- Brian Eschbach – lead vocals
- Brandon Ellis – lead guitar, backing vocals, producer, mixing, engineering
- Ryan Knight – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Max Lavelle – bass
- Alan Cassidy – drums
Technical
- Mark Lewis – producer, mixing, drum recording engineer
- Ted Jensen – mastering
Charts
edit| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[19] | 55 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[20] | 97 |
| UK Album Downloads (OCC)[21] | 69 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[22] | 41 |
| UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[23] | 15 |
References
edit- ^ Greg Kennelty (June 13, 2024). "THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER Returns With New Song "Aftermath", New Album Servitude Out This September". Metal Injection. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
- ^ Gregory Adams (August 6, 2024). "Hear THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER's bloodthirsty new song "Mammoth's Hand"". Revolver. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
- ^ Hill, Stephen. "Servitude is the best tribute to Trevor Strnad Black Dahlia Murder fans could have asked for". Metal Hammer. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ Delorean, C.C. "Review: The Black Dahlia Murder Make Their Triumphant Return on Servitude". MetalSucks. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ Thomas, Olly. "Album review: The Black Dahlia Murder – Servitude". Kerrang!. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ Marshall, Will. "ALBUM REVIEW: Servitude – The Black Dahlia Murder". Distorted Sound Mag. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ "The Black Dahlia Murder - Servitude review". Metal Storm. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ Kaufman, Spencer (June 13, 2024). "The Black Dahlia Murder Announce New Album, Song "Aftermath"". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on August 10, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Black Dahlia Murder frontman Trevor Strnad has died, aged 41". NME. May 11, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
- ^ The Black Dahlia Murder (September 14, 2022). "The Black Dahlia Murder Announce October 28th Show: A Celebration Of The Life and Legacy Of Trevor Strand". Facebook.
- ^ "The Black Dahlia Murder Have Begun Recording Their Tenth Studio Album". theprp.com. November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ "THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER Is Recording A New Album". metalinjection.net. November 17, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
- ^ "The Black Dahlia Murder - Recording Next Studio Album". Metal Storm. November 20, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
- ^ Valcanis, Tom (June 13, 2024). "The Black Dahlia Murder Announce Tenth Album 'Servitude'". Hysteria Magazine. Archived from the original on August 10, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "The Black Dahlia Murder announce new album 'Servitude', release lead single "Aftermath"". LambGoat. June 13, 2024. Archived from the original on August 10, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Kennelty, Greg (June 13, 2024). "The Black Dahlia Murder Returns With New Song "Aftermath", New Album Servitude Out This September". Metal Injection. Archived from the original on August 10, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER Unleash Animated Video For "Mammoth's Hand"". bravewords.com. August 6, 2024. Archived from the original on August 10, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "The Black Dahlia Murder release second new single, "Mammoth's Hand"". LambGoat. August 6, 2024. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Black Dahlia Murder – Servitude" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 5, 2024.