The Black Dahlia Murder performing during the I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me Tour at the HEB Center in Cedar Park, Texas on October 5, 2025, with Brian Eschbach, Max Lavelle, Alan Cassidy, and Ryan Knight. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
The Black Dahlia Murder stands as one of the most revered and foundational pillars of modern American melodic death metal. Hailing from Michigan, the band established a career built on a relentless dedication to blistering speed, technical complexity, and an unapologetically grim aesthetic. Their sound is instantly recognizable: a frenetic fusion of Swedish death metal's signature soaring guitar harmonies and the guttural aggression of American death metal. This synthesis created a formula that, while intensely heavy, possessed a melodic earworm quality that set them apart, earning them a fiercely loyal, global following.
For two decades, The Black Dahlia Murder was synonymous with their beloved and iconic frontman, Trevor Strnad. His voice was a masterful instrument of extreme metal, capable of executing intricate, rapid-fire lyrical barrages with precise clarity, navigating every possible texture from high-pitched shrieks to deep, powerful growls. Strnad was more than a vocalist; he was the charismatic soul of the band, a visible historian of the genre, and a uniquely engaging presence who brought warmth and humor to the often-stoic world of death metal. His tragic passing left an immense, irreplaceable void in the metal community.
The current tour, however, is a profound testament to brotherhood, legacy, and resilience. Rather than dissolving, the surviving members chose to honor Strnad's memory and the band's catalog by continuing, a decision fueled by the collective passion of the band and its fanbase. In a crucial shift, long-time guitarist Brian Eschbach has moved to take over vocal duties. Eschbach, a founding member and a creative force behind the band's sound, brings a raw, authentic energy to the mic, while founding bassist Max Lavelle, guitarist Brandon Ellis, and drummer Alan Cassidy provide the unshakeable foundation of the band's signature technical brutality.
This latest run of shows is far more than a typical concert; it's a powerful and deeply emotional ceremony. The setlist is a vibrant celebration of their extensive catalog, delivered with the mechanical precision and technical prowess that fans have come to expect. Eschbach, while possessing a distinct vocal style that is heavier and more guttural than his predecessor’s, steps into the role with courage and respect, channeling the energy of the band's past while marking a path forward.
The band’s performance is nothing short of breathtaking. Brandon Ellis is a marvel on guitar, executing the dizzyingly complex harmony leads with surgical accuracy. The rhythm section, driven by Alan Cassidy's blistering speed and technical endurance, remains one of the tightest in the genre. But it’s the atmosphere that truly defines the experience. There is an almost palpable sense of communion between the band and the audience, as every scream and every harmony serves as a shared tribute. When the band launches into their classic tracks, the air is thick with passion and sorrow, quickly giving way to ferocious, cathartic energy. The Black Dahlia Murder’s current tour is not just a showcase of elite musicianship; it is a moving declaration that the music and the spirit of the band will endure.
Fan reviews:Setlist for the show at the HEB Center
Seen Black Dahlia Murder many times and they always level the place, sounded great!
Best live show I have seen in a long while. The Black Dahlia Murder was a bucket list band for me. Did not disappoint. One of the best live bands I have ever seen.
First time seeing this band and was very impressed. I would see them again in a heartbeat.
Awesomeness! The Black Dahlia Murder was soooo good! Trevor is smiling down on y'all. The sound is great and glad to see they are sticking to their roots but also forging ahead.
The show was wild. It started normal like any rock/metal show, by the time Black Dahlia Murder hit the stage, the place was electric. The bands gave everything they had and the fans returned it ten fold.
- What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse
- Everything Went Black
- Nightbringers
- A Vulgar Picture
- Malenchantments of the Necrosphere
- Statutory Ape
- Cursed Creator
- Unhallowed
- Funeral Thirst
- Deathmask Divine
The Black Dahlia Murder shared the stage with Lorna Shore, Shadow of Intent, and PeelingFlesh at the HEB Center. They continue across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe with the last stop at the Raiffeisen Halle im Gasometer in Vienna, Austria on March 19, 2026.
The Black Dahlia Murder
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