The Black Dahlia Murder: Nightbringers

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The Black Dahlia Murder
Nightbringers
(Metal Blade)

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The Black Dahlia Murder has always stood out amongst the newer generation of death metal bands for their ability to actually write songs and slow down once in a while. Most death metal bands today set their speed at a million miles an hour from start to finish, and although the brutality of it all can be appreciated, it can also get boring real quick. Sometimes slowing down, even if only for a brief moment, can really create a powerful and lasting dynamic that can melt faces from miles away.

TBDM’s new release, Nightbringers, has the band continuing on their path of death metal domination. This is great considering how I, and possibly others, were worried that the great brutal union of guitarists, Brian Eschbach and Ryan Knight, was no more, due to Knight’s departure last year. Yes, Eschbach writes the majority of the band’s music, but something about Knight’s arrival on Deflorate really seemed to take the band to the next level when they could have easily just rested on their laurels. New guitarist, Brandon Ellis, fits right in and the results are another excellent step forward in the band’s discography.

“Widowmaker” opens the album in an epic fashion and then goes for your throat the way you just knew it would. Everything is on point from Trevor Strnad’s versatile growls, to the intricate riffing to drumming, so complex and fast, it’s easy to imagine that drummer Alan Cassidy is not really human. The rest of the album refuses to let go and although the running time is just over thirty minutes, you never feel short changed. Besides, your brutal death metal offerings should always be short and fast, otherwise they can wear out their welcome.

Of the nine tracks here, I couldn’t point a finger at any specific song for being filler. Every track counts, but some standouts for me aside from “Widowmaker” were “Kings of the Nightworld,” “Catacomb Hecatomb,” and the title track. The closer, “The Lonely Deceased” also brings things to an end with tremendous thunder.

After eight releases, The Black Dahlia Murder has more than proven that they deserve their spot in the metal community. Consistency is good, but consistency combined with innovation is even better. It keeps things reliable and fresh for the band and fans so everyone one wins. Nightbringers is definitely another win for The Black Dahlia Murder and us fans.

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