Artist: The Black Dahlia Murder
Label: Metal Blade Records
Release Date: 6/17/03
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Title: Unhallowed Artist: The Black Dahlia Murder Label: Metal Blade Records Release Date: 6/17/03 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
This album is definitely growing on me. While I've liked it from the first time I heard it, it definitely didn't blow me away from the get go. But damned if every time I've turned on my stereo in the last few weeks, this one hasn't found its way in. I don't mean to put it in. I say to myself, "Self, I'm going to go listen to some obscure black metal", or "I'm really in the mood for some old-school thrash to bring me back to my high school days", then the next thing I know, this melodic death metal act from Detroit is forcing me to bang my head.
"I just know the more I listen to this one the more I like it." So what makes this record so much different than all the other stuff that's coming out right now? I'm not quite sure. I just know the more I listen to this one the more I like it. Perhaps it's their decidedly American take on a European sound. This stuff may be melodic, but it isn't flowery. It's got a desperation to it that is glossed over in most of the genre as it stands today. The music is frantic, but it's a controlled sort of frantic because it's got a purpose. And I believe that purpose is to roil the blood and quicken the breath, and damned if it ain't working.
The vocals are just awesome, alternating between a scream and a growl. They display raw emotion but maintain a catchiness that's got more hooks than a Cenobite. And the vocals are just the beginning. We all know that metal centers around one thing and one thing only. Guitars. And these guys have come up with a thick, well-produced dirge of a guitar sound that gives a based momentum to each and every song, elevating the already impressive songwriting. One listen of the title track will prove my point, and that's only the tip of the iceberg.
"Rarely has a band come out with such a successful debut." Rarely has a band come out with such a successful debut. If you think this is just another Swedish metal clone, do yourself a favor and give it another listen, these guys could be changing the face of metal an album or two down the line. One word review: Infectious.
Death's Review:
"Overall, the album screams: 'This would kick ass live.'" It's good to see Metal Blade get in the game - so to speak - with the new-school, American, aggressive blackened death/melodic death outfit, The Black Dahlia Murder. This Detroit five-piece brings an updated At the Gates meets Lamb of God meets Dissection, "Swedish metal meets death metal" vibe to the table, and is the type of band that would go over great with death metal audience and the "hardcore fans who are also lovers of melodic death metal" audience (you know, the type of people who went to Hellfest but were psyched to see In Flames and Soilwork playing there) alike. In Flames on steroids without the sing-songy elements; The Haunted with more melody. Overall, the album screams: "This would kick ass live."
"The problem is that bands like this are popping up everywhere right now; there are many contenders for ascension into the ranks of the elite." The songs are not always altogether all that catchy, but I attribute much of this to the fact that this is a relatively new band (having formed in January of 2001), and is perhaps just starting to come into its own. The current product is very cool, even though it sometimes feels a bit generic within the scene right now. But trust me, every band that you might associate some aspect of The Black Dahlia Murder's sound with all have their own sound, and while the band evokes the vibe of classic acts like At the Gates, Dissection and Carcass, I wouldn't be surprised to see them step up to take a place amongst the titans of the new underground American-metal movement (Lamb of God, Shadows Fall, Killswitch Engage, Dillinger Escape Plan) that is quickly gaining commercial steam. The problem is that bands like this are popping up everywhere right now. And there are many contenders for ascension into the ranks of the elite. Mere competence in putting together the basic elements won't be enough to sustain long-term interest in any of them. There has to be that something more, and The Black Dahlia Murder sounds like they just may have it. It's what they do next, where they go from there, how they elevate their sound, whether they can "take it to the next level," etc., etc., that will make all the difference. For now, it appears that the Black Dahlia Murder are on to something; Unhallowed is thrashy and totally metal, with great double-bass drums, pummeling riffs, and an interesting vocalist. Classic-styled early melodic death with modern brutality. You should probably check this one out and listen for yourself; at some point down the line, you're going to want to know what this band is all about.
Hel's Review:
At this point in time, melodic death metal is on the verge of being the next metal clich é. The style has become so prevalent that the market is saturated with knock offs and sound-alikes, which in turn, dilute the style and makes people reluctant to try any newer bands playing it. I myself have become tired of the glut of bands to inundate the scene of late, though I continue to enjoy the sound overall. Yet even I cringed at the idea of another new melodic death band.
"Even I cringed at the idea of another new melodic death band."
"The Black Dahlia Murder made me regret my reluctance." The Black Dahlia Murder made me regret my reluctance. Unbelievably, they really do seem to offer something different in this landscape of sound-alikes. The main vocal style has more of a black metal flavor to the scream and is offset nicely by the deeper backing growls. The guitars contain exactly the necessary elements to successfully pull of kick ass melo-death. The level of musicianship is amazingly high, and the drummer admirably keeps pace with the blazing pace of the guitar work.
The songwriting and production are the icing on the cake. Every note is clear, and the songs are fresh despite being firmly in a musical category that everyone has espoused as devoid of new ideas. This one is better than the rest of the pack and seriously worth exploring if you enjoy the style but have grown tired of other recent offerings. It's more than just buzz - this band really is worth watching out for.
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