Servitude

Servitude is The Black Dahlia Murder's tenth album, on which they opened a new chapter beyond loss. After co-founder and frontman Trevor Strnad passed away in 2022, the remaining members decided to continue the band. Co-founder and guitarist Brian Eschbach took over lead vocals and lyrics, and former member Ryan Knight returned on guitar. With twin lead guitars alongside Brandon Ellis — a configuration the band never had before — they open new terrain. The lead single "Aftermath," depicting a world after a meteor strike, is one of the album's fastest numbers. From the opener "Evening Ephemeral" to the title track "Servitude" and the closer "Utopia Black," their ferocious melodic-death character runs throughout. Guitars, bass and vocals were recorded at Ellis's home studio in New Jersey, with drums tracked by Mark Lewis in Nashville and mastering by Ted Jensen. Carrying on Strnad's legacy and, in his honor, it is a powerful record that vividly shows the band opening the curtain on a new era.