Customer Reviews

Miasma [Vinyl]

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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!!!!

This has got to be one of the craziest pieces of plastics ever to grace my hands. BDM is the sickest band EVER. This disc kicks your arse then piledrives you into submission. Every song demands that you to beat your head off the wall. If you don't plan on buying this disc, then let vultures peck your eyes out. Definetly disturbing and disgusting.

Miasma is an excellent album, combining power, speed, and melody in almost equal portions. I enjoyed this album the very first time I played it, and have lost no love with each play. The band manages to bring aspects of the 80's style of melodic metal, but does so while remaining technical and without sounding cheesy. It should be noted that the songs sound even better when listened through headphones as you can hear the two guitars, in stereo, complement each other. The songs are all fast and full of pure metal energy. The only downside is that this album does not stray far from a particular sound. Although the songs do not all sound alike, there is not a lot of variety in the style or tempo from song to song. Likewise, the singing is limited in its scope. And, it should be noted the album is only about a half-an-hour long. This album is less ground-breaking, and more of a "meat-and-potatoes" metal album. But we all need our meat-and-potatoes as they are the staples of our diet.

This band is a DEATH METAL BAND. Tell me, somewhere, anybody, tell me... Where do you hear hardcore in this music? Or metalcore even? I think there are 2 breakdowns on this entire cd which trust me, breakdowns came from metal, not hardcore. And there is NO SINGING on this, so dude downstairs that said he hated the singing on this cd probably has never heard this cd, because they wouldn't even try to be death metal if they sang, there is not 1 unscreamed or ungrowled voice on this cd, no clean vocals at all. Ok, they have a gothenberg feel to -SOME- riffs on this album, as do millions of other "metalcore" bands, but on which of those albums are they played STRICTLY to blast beats? I always hear 1 riff, and another with the same guitar part but with slower drums, thus creating a breakdown, which is NOT done, NOT ONCE on this album. After a blastbeat, the song only continues to play faster... Okay, the gothenberg riffs come from their influence of At The Gates, but it's but over a death metal complex, along with the lyrics... And dude downstairs said they said they are "A hardcore infuenced death metal band"? Well, uh... I see on another page I'm looking at right now says that their influences are: "Carcass, At The Gates, Dissection, Morbid Angel, Death, Suffocation, The Haunted, In Flames, Dimension Zero, Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Megadeth." ohhh... sorry emo kids, no hardcore :-( Oh, and I found a quote of this band that says something about hardcore, and here it is: "We catered to a hardcore audience because we're young and had short hair. The bands we toured with in the beginning was out of our hands at the time. Now I'm happy that we get to tour with some real bands. Just recently we toured with behemoth." And here's another: "Metalcore is a dirty word, most of the bands playing that style are creating crimes against humanity and none of us respect them. You can listen to our album, and make a clear distinction between our music and "metalcore", it's death metal."
Yeah... ah..... Don't you just love metal? Because these guys certainly do, real metal that is...

And I said melo-death, not "metalcore". It seems like if an American band plays music influenced by Swedish bands that they are automatically labeled "metalcore". Well, you're wrong and don't know sh*t about music. Now that I got my rant out of the way, let's review the album, shall we?

I bought this not too long after it came out, which was when the band was playing Ozzfest around July. The vocals are amazing, ranging in both high and low pitches, and the blastbeats, too addicting. (too bad Zach was forced to leave the band...) "A Vulgar Picture", the first song I heard off this album, is more of a speedy song compared to many of the band's songs off "Unhallowed". Every song is amazing, including closer track "Miasma", which steers into the mode of bands like Dissection. Highly recommended for something original. If you want another melo-death album from an American band, check out "From Your Grave" by The Absence as well.

I am going to have to defend The Black Dahlia Murder here. I listen to bands like: Suffocation, Hate Eternal, Nile, Origin, Kataklysm, Morbid Angel, Vader, Dismember, Marduk, Old Man's Child, and countless other true metal bands. My point here is, that there have been some reviews where this band is dismissed because it has other influences.. o.k., well who doesn't?

Pure Death metal? No.. Death Metal at all? Definitly. This band is heavy, need I say brutal at times, and the lyrics are simply ingenious. The vocals are awesome, because it matches well with the lyrics, his Death Metal voice competes with the best of them. I did not know at first how I would feel about this album, but now I know, it just kicks ass.

They aren't no Suffocation, but they sure as hell aren't a crappy Nu-Metal band either. These guys have real talent.

All I can say is, if you just flat out like Heavy as Hell music, get this album. It's awesome.

Miasma, The Black Dahlia Murder's second album, is an impressive album that definitely earns and keeps the impeccable reputation just as its predecessor, Unhallowed, did.

The Black Dahlia Murder is not only a great studio band, but also one of the best live bands out there, I was breath taken when I heard them live at one of there shows, as they exceeded my expectations.

Miasma delivers an incredible sound as they take a more technical approach to there music while still staying true to there roots of a death metal band (which in my opinion is more metal than death) who packs strong lyrics with impressive technical playing by everyone. The swapping of drummers in between albums has only seemed to improve the bands performance and abilities beyond expectation.

There has been a lot of talk to whether this album is better or worse than its predecessor, Unhallowed. Miasma is a fantastic album that brings something new to the ears of metal/death metal fans everywhere. But, I must put my size 15 foot down and declare that in my opinion, Unhallowed, although less technical and organized, has it beat by a small amount.

Since there are no 4 1/2 stars, I gave this album 5 for being one of the best metal albums of 2005.

Great CD don't get me wrong... defintely hear the influences on the band... At OZZFEST I give the lead guitar 5 stars he really outshines the band... Keep up the good work BDM...Going in the right direction.