THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER

It won’t be ‘Horrible Night to have a Curse’ if you attended this bombastic rager

Many wondered what would happen to this band back in 2022 when founding member and vocalist passed away in 2022.  Would the band fold? Who would replace this guy?  How would fans react? Would it be “no Trevor Strnad, no Black Dahlia?” like we always read in the face book comments section?   However, there was one founding member left in the band, and that is rhythm guitar player Brian Eschbach. He decided to make the switch to lead vocals, and carry the torch for the fallen Strnad.

It’s been a couple years now and this is my second time seeing Eschbach on vocals since Strnad’s unfortunate passing.  The last time they were here was in 2023 at the Modified Ghost Festival.  They are no stranger to this town as they have been here 13 times since 2004 according to Setlist.fm.

Tonight we get a really stacked bill here with Vomit Forth, Spite, Dying Fetus and The Black Dahlia Murder at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver Canada.   Having a established extreme freight train like Dying Fetus playing another devastating set just prior, how will Black Dahlia fair?

Besides Eschbach Melodic death metal Dahlia have Max Lavelle (Bass), Alan Cassidy (Drums), Brandon Ellis (Lead guitar) and Ryan Knight, who took over from Eschbach on guitar back on 2022.

They have also released their first full length album a few weeks ago called Servitude.  I had a chance to give it a few spins and it definitely slaps as hard as any of their previous albums.   I am looking forward to hearing some of these tracks tonight.

They start the evening off with the frenzied “Kings of the Nightworld” from 2017’s Nightbringers album that gets the pushing and shoving started in the mosh pit.   If that wasn’t enough to get the blood curdling, then the “What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse” main riff will get your neck in gear next.

Song 3 we get 1 of only 2 new ones they will play tonight with “Mammoth’s Hand”.  You know, Eschbach does a pretty convincing vocal style of Strnad, not to worry.  The other one they play off the new one is “Aftermath” that was played at song 5 after “Statutory Ape”.

Musically, this band is very competent in all positions.   Both Ellis and Knight can play sharp leads and dualling solos as seen this night. Cassidy and Labelle definitely props to these 2 as well for keeping the timing in proportion.

One thing, as noticed by last years show as well, they don’t skimp out on the lighting as you get  a gaggle of flashing strobes and laser lights all over the place.  The sound was pretty decent as well for Vogue Theatre.   As I look around, the only disappointment really is the lack of fan support for such a stacked bill as this one, but both bands have been around here in the last year (Dying Fetus earlier this year), so they might be saving cash for upcoming shows.  The Vogue was half empty tonight.

Other standout songs for me heard this night “Sunless Empire”, “Everything Went Black” and an oldie from their first album “Funeral Thirst” which hasnt been played here on tour since 2015.  They ended the only 11 song set (most songs average around 4 minutes) show with the last 2 being “A Shrine of Madness” and “Deathmask Divine”.  Despite that minor poke I just made on the lack of songs, all the other bands had a pretty fair shake of songs to make it all even so I don’t think anyone left disappointed.  Eschbach appeared to me more confident since I saw him last year fresh on the mic, working the stage and getting fans moving.    His melodic vocals are not too shabby either and can cover Strnad era songs quite admirably, I must say.   Check out the new album “Servitude”, as well as this tour.  You won’t be disappointed with the new Dahlia at all, go support them!