UMUR
"Servitude" is the tenth full-length studio album by US death metal at The Black Dahlia Murder. The album was released through Metal Blade Records in September 2024. It´s the successor to "Verminous" from 2020 and there have been a few lineup changes since the release of the predecessor. Firstly guitarist Ryan Knight has returned to the fold, having originally departed in 2016 after an eight year stint with the band. Secondly and on a more sad note lead vocalist/founding member Trevor Strnad took his own life in May 2022. A huge force on the post-2000 death metal scene Strnad could not be easily replaced, but guitarist and main composer (and co-founder) Brian Eschbach took up the challenge and performs the vocals on "Servitude" (Eschbach does not perform guitars on this release).
So it´s of course the number one question when listening to "Servitude", if Eschbach brings the goods like Strnad did on so many albums before this one...and the answer is yes. Strnad was a very unique vocalist and of course Eschbach can´t replace him one-to-one, but I think he steps up to the plate and brings his own version of the high pitched blackened snarling/deep growling death metal vocal style with success. Regarding the instrumental part of the music there´s nothing negative to say about it. This is more or less The Black Dahlia Murder as they have sounded since day one. Predominantly fast-paced, melodic (often neo-classical influenced) death metal with horror themed lyrics performed by an incredibly skilled band. The rhythm section deliver sharp, precise, and powerful drumming and bass playing, the guitarists play one fast-paced and sharp riff after another and deliver loads and loads of melodic lead themes and solos, and on top of it all Eschbach´s high pitched blackened snarling/deep growling death metal vocals.
"Servitude" still stands out a bit from the last couple of releases though, as The Black Dahlia Murder have gone for a slighly less polished and a generally more stripped-down production style, which I personally think suits the material well. It´s a more immediate and instantly effective release than anything they´ve released in the last 15 years. And that´s not a criticism of the releases which came before this one, because they are all great in their own right, but "Servitude" is just a bit more direct and in-your-face.
Faced with an immense tragedy The Black Dahlia Murder never wavered (at least not publicly) and almost immediately vowed to return with a new lineup and keep the band going, and "Servitude" is the proof that they did the right thing. I´m sure Strnad would have been proud of the result. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.