Miasma

The Black Dahlia Murder | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 12, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Metal Blade
• ASIN: B0009JK0XY
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #76,318 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

The Black Dahlia Murder immediately established themselves at the forefront of the then-burgeoning U.S. metal scene when they released their full-length Metal Blade debut Unhallowed in June 2003. The release of that critically lauded album, however, was only the beginning of an epic journey that would find this Detroit, Michigan, quintet dealing with personnel issues (founding member drummer Cory Grady was replaced by Zach Gibson) and a nonstop touring itinerary that kept them on the road for nearly two years playing with bands as diverse as The Red Chord, Arch Enemy, Napalm Death and Terror. But those experiences ultimately had a profound affect on their latest Metal Blade release, Miasma. "The road has been what really made Miasma what it is," vocalist Trevor Strnad confesses. "Much of the content here is a direct result of our experience in the band."

It is no surprise, then, that Miasma reflects the insanity of life on the road for five guys, barely over the legal drinking age, who were playing an endless string of shows across North America and Europe. "It's quite a bit more personal lyrically, ranging from anthems of cheap sex and drug use to more classic Black Dahlia Murder horror style," says Strnad. "I've tried to reinvent BDM lyrically here. It's still dark. It's still really evil shit."

Strnad’s growth as a lyricist is just one of the ways the band expanded its sound on Miasma. Guitarist Brian Eschbach contributed more to the writing process while his counterpart John Kempainen wrote and played solos for every track. As a result, The Black Dahlia Murder--rounded out by bassist Dave Lock--have created an album that reflects the bonds cemented by the band's two-year odyssey. Recorded and co-produced with the band by Scarlet drummer Andreas Magnusson at Planet Red Studio in Richmond, Virginia, Miasma is a deadly reinvention of The Black Dahlia Murder's nefariously nasty melodic death metal sound. It is a sound that Kempainen simply describes as "more pissed off." Strnad sees other improvements, as well, however. "The new songs are much heavier than anything on Unhallowed," he declares. "We were making a conscious effort to challenge ourselves as players and give each song an identity of it's own. And the addition of Zach has enabled us as a unit to write more complex and interesting arrangements."

Miasma is just the latest chapter in the ever-twisted saga of The Black Dahlia Murder. Like the long-unsolved murder of a young Hollywood starlet that the band took its name from, The Black Dahlia Murder's appeal is visceral and dark, a terror-filled exploration of extreme sounds and vicious brutality. And it is a step closer to the apex the band is still aiming its sights for. "I feel that we are yet to reach our prime," says Strnad, "but Miasma is many steps closer to where we want to be. We have a better band in 2005 and now a record to show for it."

Product Description

Plays fine, sounds sublime. Fom a well cared for personal collection. Buy with confidence--see my feedback. Thanks and enjoy this great CD!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True Metal, August 5, 2005

By 

Knowledgeable DemiGod (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Miasma (Audio CD)

Authors of two negative reviews for this CD demonstrate their worth in musical judgement in different reviews; one says that his favorite band is Norma Jean, the other gives From Autumn To Ashes' "Too Bad You're Beautiful" a five star review.

"Miasma" is a five star epic. It destroys the cliched metalcore laden with breakdown after breakdown (see: Norma Jean) and the wussy/emo infused hardcore that kids cry to (see: FATA), and does exactly what it is supposed to: brutalizes the listener for ten straight songs. The Black Dahlia Murder have displayed a unique approach to Swedish metal by giving it a noticeably American edge, and "Miasma" is the perfect follow up to "Unhallowed" that will be appreciated by any listener who hoped this band would grow (and really, how can you beat the fast and beautiful Egyptian-style solos throughout?). The disappointed few need to get over it: the CD isn't another "Unhallowed".

If you are looking for hardcore, or if you are looking for something tame - "Miasma" should not be your choice. But if you like to thrash and to feel aurally defiled from the sheer intensity of a metal record...then this is the metal record for you.

Buy it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ...that damn "bang your head against the wall" crap, July 12, 2005

By 

tormentor (portland, or) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Miasma (Audio CD)

These guys have definitely grown in leaps and bounds since UNHALLOWED...the guitar playing is nothing short of perfection, and their harmonies are so tight that they would be hell for any other band to pull off live, but for these guys it definitely won't be a problem. the only letdown for me on this album are the solos... on UNHALLOWED, there were only a couple, but they hinted at greatness to come on future releases, but the solos here are no more complex than the ones on the last album, there are just more of them. I was hoping for serious shred, and they do deliver to a certain extent, but not full on. everything else about this band has only gotten better with time. If you haven't seen these guys live, they will blow your mind. I didn't think it was physically possible to switch back and forth between Trevor's growl and scream...i figured they would have one of the guitarists do the highs live, but apparently it is possible, because he does it with ease...and the new drummer is a friggin madman, to say the least.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crushing everything its path, July 12, 2005

By 

Concatenation (West Lin, OR ,United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Miasma (Audio CD)

The Black Dahlia Murder have successfully taken what they started with their fantastic debut "Unhallowed" and evolved it into a modern extreme music masterpiece with "Miasma".

There are a couple important things to consider in regards to "Miasma". First of all, its faster, heavier, more brutal and more complex than "Unhallowed". Where as before, TBDM have always sort of straddled the line between hardcore influence with some touches of Carcass and At The Gates worship (that is not a putdown). With this record, they have taken a step to the side and leaned more into the death metal and grindcore side of things. At points during their completely battering and relentless assault upon your senses they seem to be channeling vintage Cannibal Corpse and Cryptopsy. Besides the evolved songwriting, a large part of this is new drummer Zach Gibson, who more than fills the shoes of original drummer Cory Grady.

With increased complexity, will come detractors. As music becomes more complex, it takes more patience to fully understand and absorb. I think some may initially be somewhat let down, as is inevitably the case when a band releases a sophomore album after an amazing debut. I think however, for those who enjoy bands pushing extremes, "Miasma" is a very rewarding... and exhausting... experience. Some will even feel "Miasma" surpasses "Unhallowed".

Like Unhallowed, the record starts off with a great intro track that feeds into the real opener "I'm Charming", and from that explosion on, its clear that TBDM have upped the ante of brutality. The next few excellent tracks, "Flies", "Statutory Ape, and the albums first single "A Vulgar Picture" continue to decimate your senses with breakdowns, blast beats, solos and mind bending melodies swirling through the chaos.

I'm happy to say that Trevor Strnad's madman high screams and death growl trade offs are back in full force, which only tickles my nostalgia senses and reminds me of the glory years of Steer and Walker and Carcass. As a long time fan of extreme music, The Black Dahlia Murder, with their 2 fantastic releases, have moved into the realm of the greats of extreme music for me. They have a place among Carcass, Death, Morbid Angel, Napalm Death, Cryptopsy, Suffocation.

The Black Dahlia murder now move into my favorite release of 2005 category (at least until new Opeth)

And finally, as with all metal, PLAY IT LOUD!!!!