"Before the tragedy, no one ever thought this band was going to exist without Trevor." Those are the words of Brian Eschbach, co-founder of the Black Dahlia Murder, speaking with raw honesty about the devastating loss of their frontman Trevor Strnad in 2022. For a band that’s been a pillar of the melodic death metal scene for over two decades, Strnad’s passing left an enormous void. But instead of closing the book, Eschbach, alongside bassist Max Lavelle, drummer Alan Cassidy, and producer/guitarist Brandon Ellis, made the decision to move forward, keeping Strnad’s spirit alive through their music.

Now comes Servitude, the band’s tenth studio album and a significant turning point for the band. Not only does it mark Eschbach’s debut as the band’s lead vocalist and lyricist, but it’s also their first record with guitarist Ryan Knight since 2015’s Abysmal. Eschbach stepped into his new role with conviction, describing the lyric-writing process as surprisingly natural. “Honestly, writing the lyrics for this album was easier for me than writing the music,” he admits.

The album's lead single, “Aftermath,” wasted no time in announcing the Black Dahlia Murder’s return with ferocity. The fast, ripping track envisions a post-apocalyptic scenario where humans, in a world ravaged by a meteor, resort to cannibalism. “We wanted that one to be heard first because it’s one of the faster songs on the album, if not the fastest,” Eschbach says. The track channels classic Black Dahlia aggression, giving fans the band’s signature melodic death metal sound with a new twist. Following “Aftermath” is “Mammoth’s Hand,” a groove-heavy, slower track inspired by the 1982 cult classic The Beastmaster. Eschbach conjures an epic vision of barbaric warriors riding mammoths across a frozen tundra, pillaging villages in a time long lost. Ryan Knight’s return to the band shines here, with the lumbering rhythm capturing the colossal weight of the imagery. Then there’s “Panic Hysteria,” which draws lyrical inspiration from an unlikely source - Frank Sinatra. Eschbach wittily taps into Sinatra’s disdain for rock ‘n’ roll, creating a melodic death metal waltz that pays tribute to the fear and outrage rock once sparked in mid-century America. “It was a fun Sunday writing those lyrics,” Eschbach says with a chuckle. “Vodkas and Shirley Temples were involved.”

There’s no question that Servitude is the beginning of a new era for the Black Dahlia Murder. While the absence of Trevor Strnad’s inimitable presence is felt, the band has embraced this moment with reverence and energy. “More than pressures or expectations from the fanbase, I feel their trust and support,” says Ellis. “We’ve always done what we do for them, and this album felt right to make.” Servitude is more than just a continuation, it’s a powerful tribute to Strnad’s legacy, and a testament to the band’s resilience and drive to move forward.