The Black Dahlia Murder
Ritual Metal Blade Records
'Ritual' is the band’s fifth studio album, and the follow up to 2009′s 'Deflorate'. Well, this Detroit band have pulled off a masterstroke with this extreme, brutal and aggressive album. Opening with delicate strings, you could be kidded into thinking this is going to be a mellow (if there ever was, or will be such a thing!) Black Dahlia album.
'A Shrine to Madness' is a hammering death metal track, as soon as the drums and guitar kick in, you are greeted by Trevor Strands insane screams and growls, then you fully realise what a MONSTER of an album you have in your presence.
'Moonlight Equilibrium' is uncompromising and blistering as Strand pushes himself to the max. 'On Stirring Seas of Salted Blood' is a furious, maelstrom of death metal, tearing at your insides. A delicate piano intro brings 'Carbonized in Cruciform' to your consciousness, Ryan Knight’s evocative acoustic guitar doubled with satanic, absorbing “evil“ guitar work, and intense, passionate drumming from Shannon Lucas.
'Den Of The Picquarist' is sinister and penetrates your psyche with lyrics that talk of slicing, stabbing, hacking, maiming, shredding, severing, rearranging, mincing, dicing, mutilating, and you know that if you saw these guys playing this one live, that you would be in for a full on mosh-pit frenzy, that won’t abate until the final chord is struck.
'On Stirring Seas of Salted Blood' and 'Malenchantments of the Necrosphere' has riffs heavy laden with menace and doom, which will invade and pummel your brain.
Final track, ' Blood in the Ink' has a string-section throughout the track, symphonic music battling with Trevor Strands addictive, rampaging vocals, this is an ambitious final track and totally epic.
This whole album is an experimentation and progression in the Melodic Death Metal Genre.
BDM have toured with the likes of Children of Bodom, Cannibal Corpse, Skeleton Witch, 3 Inches of Blood and many more, and are due to be making a number of festival appearances in the coming months. It seems a lot of people don’t like this band because of their appearance, which is quite frankly ridiculous. This band is brutal, multi-talented and in your face and as well as sounding excellent on an album, you really need to be see them live to fully appreciate the sheer mastery and vengeance that you get at a Black Dahlia Murder gig.
Review by: Seb Di Gatto
Tracklisting:
1. A Shrine To Madness2. Moonlight Equilibrium3. On Stirring Seas Of Salted Blood4. Conspiring With The Damned5. The Window6. Carbonized In Cruciform7. Den Of The Picquerist8. Malenchanments Of The Necrosphere9. The Grave Robber's Work10. The Raven11. Great Burning Nullifier12. Blood In The Ink
