The Black Dahlia Murder

Unhallowed (Metal Blade)
by Martin Popoff

The Black Dahlia Murder (named for a legendary unsolved mutilation and murder case) follows acts like Darkest Hour with respect to American bands chipping into the stone-free legacy of the Swedes and their “melodic death metal” style (man, some of the terms we come up with… they just fail, don’t they?).

Anyway, this new Detroit act add some fresh twists by moving faster and blaster than most, and by utilizing a traditional death vocal next to a thrashy scream that is nearly black metal – both the work of the same guy, Trevor Strnad. The result is an album that compromises on nothing, save for the little Chinese throwing star licks borne from the catalogues of Arch Enemy, Shadows Fall, and God Forbid. I’m a little unsure about the drum mix, finding the snare a little girly and an overall sense of distortion that nags a bit at my hi-fidelity ear. Otherwise, a competent knock-off that proposes some specific, small new things.
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