The Black Dahlia Murder unleashes their latest video for “Panic Hysteric”. The fiery new tune comes off the band’s tenth studio album, Servitude, out now on Metal Blade Records.
“Panic Hysteric” is a modern, classic TBDM waltz in the time-honored Swedish style. “Lyrically, it’s a tribute to the fear and outrage that rock and roll ignited in mid-century America,” elaborates vocalist Brian Eschbach. “I was reading quotes from Frank Sinatra, who really didn’t like rock ‘n’ roll, and was pretty eloquent about it. I quoted him a couple of times in the song. That was a fun Sunday writing those lyrics. I’m not gonna lie – vodkas and Shirley Temples were involved.”
“The highest praise one could give [Servitude] is that it sounds like the kind of death metal record [late vocalist Trevor] Strnad himself would’ve loved”, writes Decibel Magazine, who recently featured the band on their 20th anniversary issue. “At a brisk thirty-three minutes, there’s no real fat, just a collection of raging riffs and solid gold grooves that never overstays its welcome…” Blabbermouth concurs, “The Black Dahlia Murder could have taken a prolonged hiatus and returned a few years down the road, refreshed and reinvented. But fuck that. Whether wallowing in grim, doomy waters on ‘Mammoth’s Hand,’ or blasting away like some crazed, nihilistic army of intergalactic ghouls on ‘Transcosmic Blueprint’ and climactic hook avalanche ‘Utopia Black,’ this is an album that nobly delivers the goods, while screaming defiance at the stars. Everybody involved should be immensely proud. The saga continues.” Adds Kerrang, “…the release of Servitude faces down existential concerns with determination and defiance. Forged from tragedy and loss, it honors their fallen friend while celebrating the survival of The Black Dahlia Murder as an ongoing entity.”
Guitars, bass, and vocals for Servitude were recorded at guitarist Brandon Ellis’ home studio in New Jersey while drums were recorded by Mark Lewis in Nashville, Tennessee where the album was also mixed. Servitude was mastered by Ted Jensen.
The Black Dahlia Murder , who recently wrapped up a massive European tour, will join Dying Fetus for a North American co-headlining tour later this week. The Beg To Serve 2024 tour will begin on October 3rd in Cleveland, Ohio and make its way through over two dozen cities, the journey coming to a close on November 10th in Chicago, Illinois. Support will be provided by Spite, AngelMaker, and Vomit Forth.
With the tragic passing of the The Black Dahlia Murder ‘s frontman and co-founder Trevor Strnad in 2022, band co-founder Brian 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 or carry on in their fallen brother’s charismatic spirit? After a period of profound grief and 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 the band’s hometown of Detroit in late October 2022 for a tribute show for Strnad.
Fast forward to 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.
Photo by Marshall Wieczorek
