Jason Suecof is back at the board: he covered mixing responsibilities and co-produced the effort with the Black Dahlia and Mark Lewis (who has done work with Deicide.) One of the first things I noticed (other than the superb playing and song structure) is how clean the production is. I must admit, I feel completely torn by this due to the fact that engineers (of which I am one) should ALWAYS be improving their sound and the sound of their bands so I WANT this album to sound amazing…but I think some of the brutality may be lost in the splendor of the sound – I’d love for the album to have a bit of the grit, the dirty, the raw, perhaps on the level of Unhallowed (which is ranked right up there with some of my favourite metal albums of all time.) I have no doubt that some of that grit will be experienced during their live shows. I promise not to miss them next time…

Although the title of the album Deflorate, by definition, means the point past the flowering state, post-pollen shedding, The Black Dahlia Murder is in no way past their prime bloom. Deflorate delves even deeper lyrically than Nocturnal, and with the addition of Ryan Knight of Arsis, we find BDM expanding musically as well. Shannon Lucas’s drumming is exceptionally brutal and supports the rest of the instrumentation without fail, while Trevor’s vocals, sitting nicely in the mix, scream and shriek and command our attention to his message. I know I find myself enraptured…

Standout tracks for me are “Throne of Lunacy” and “Necropolis,” which is the first single off the new record (check out Revolver.com for the video if you’d like…) “That Which Erodes The Most Tender” sounds the most like what I’d like to hear from BDM and the only truly odd spot on the record is “I Will Return.”  As though Black Dahlia Murder wanted to dip a toe into the frigid waters of Viking Metal, the song reminds me of Amon Amarth’s “Twilight of The Thunder Gods.” A-B it yourself, I’m sure you’ll hear it too…

Don’t be afraid to budget in Deflorate from your next paycheck, the album drops September 15th and should become a part of your regular Ipod playlists as the seasons change and all the living green things start to wilt and die. A perfect soundtrack.

A note from Butters: Unlike Katie, I was able to see BDM’s performance at Mayhem Fest (Blossom – Cleveland), this was my first time witnessing their brutalness live (I changed my pants after). They did play Necropolis for us, because, we are awesome. Unlike Katie and her awesome BBQ outing, I had to wait in line to see them. Enough of my jealous rants, back to Deflorate! First round of this I immediately realized that this was going to an epic ablum. The new solos from Ryan Knight has taken this band to a new level. I believe I read somewhere that Shannon mentioned that this was his “Most Technical Album”. I couldn’t agree with him more. But yet again, they still are the fun boys that we’ve all grown to love (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’d recommend watching Majesty DVD) in the new music video for Necropolis (check it out here).

My two favorite tracks are going to be, Necropolis and That Which Erodes The Most Tender. I’m going to agree with Katie, this album is amazing, go buy this. Place it on your iPod and let your Mom listen. She’ll love it. If she doesn’t have her call me. Because, Black Dahlia Murder has yet again, amazed me. The new line up, is amazing, technical, and brutal.  I’m highly looking forward to a possible interview, and face melting here in Columbus Ohio, on “Rocktober” 25th.

The Black Dahlia Murder Myspace

Buy Deflorate on 9/15 Here, and Here, and Here

Buy Majesty DVD Here!

This was my second time visting The Basement, and like last time, I had a blast. And I was slightly deaf after it was all said and done. This venue by far, is great for metal! You are literally a foot away from them. I don’t know how that is for the actual artists, but I think it’s awesome.

Hit the jump for me complete run down on each band.

First up was Starring Janet Leigh, they were the most unique act of the show. I really didn’t get into the music a lot. They are pretty technical, but a little too grindcore for my taste. The vocals on the other hand, epic. He hit ever possible octave that you could think. Amazing.

Next on the ballet was Woe of Tyrants. The home town heros (in my book). Pretty awesome dudes I might say. I got to hang out with them after their set for awhile and bullshit with them. But back to why I’m really posting this. They, were my second favorite band of the evening. Awesome lick, riffs, breakdown, you name it they nailed it. Vocals = awesome/scary. Every scream, grunt, yell made him look like he was going to pass out. His eyes would go in the back of his head, I got kinda worried their for a few minuets. They really set the pace for the energy level for the crowd.

Now on to For The Fallen Dreams. This was the breakdown-core of the evening. I missed half of their set, so I wouldn’t take my word on anything I say on this one. Wait, yes take my word. Awesome performance, but mainly breakdowns. I was hoping that it would be somewhat technical, it wasn’t. They put on a good show though, lots ‘o energy.

And now for Unearth. We had a little fun during their sound check. The sound dude has only 2 words in his vocabulary, “YEAH” and “CHECK”. His main word of the night was “YEEEAH” (we turned it into a James Hetfield YEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHH), everyone in the crowd was getting into it as well. Okay, I’m done with that rant. Unearth was utterly amazing. I’ve never really gave them a listen to, but now, that’s all I’m listening to. Very talented musicians. Guitars were unbelievable, Unearth totally rejuvenated breakdowns for me. Unearth has now been added to my top 5 bands I want to see again, and I will drive great distances for that.

Starring Janet Leigh: Myspace

Woe of Tyrants: Myspace

For The Fallen Dreams: Myspace

Unearth: Myspace

First gig up to stage was Admission of Guilt. They aren’t horrible, but I personally felt that the energy level could have been a little higher then what it was. AOG has some pretty sweet break downs, as well of some tasty riffs. Over all Admission of Guilt was a decent band, they could have been a little tighter, and like a said before they could have had a little more energy. But they put on a hell of a show.

Second at bat was Gangster Like Drive By. Bawls to the wallz on this one. Damn, awesome performance by GLDB (Andyman would like to point out that this is also the acronym for the band “Glowing Lotus Douche Bags”, but I’m convinced he’s making that band name up). Apparently, they were down a member for this gig, but I didn’t notice. Very full sound from theses guys. One thing I would like to put a spot light on was their bass player. I don’t remember his name (sorry), but damn, he was fuckin’ on it! Not just completely over the stage, but just playing it in general. He has talent, as well as the hole band. Bruuuutal break downs, and of course them delicious riffs that sprawled out of this 3/4′s of a band. Can’t wait to see them again, hopefully with the full Gangster like Drive By experience.

Bless the Child hit the stage next, with more and more people crowding the floor in hopes of getting a pit. Anyways, Bless the Child was more of the grind type of all the acts thus far. Having finally seen these guys for the first time, the KnucklesFirst crew and I were left wondering how we didn’t hear about these guys before. They were on the ball, extremely tight throughout the whole set. I also learned that night that they are on a compilation CD with Misery Signals, Bleeding Through, Arsis, Genghis Tron, Meshuggah, Bring Me the Horizon, Abigail Williams, Soilwork, Suicide Silence, Winds of Plague, and All Shall Perish. Huge props to these guys for that, and for melting my face right off. Thanks Guys.

Hailing from West muthafuckin Virgina comes Let the Guilty Hang. First of all, is that not a sweet band name? Awesome. These guys reminded me a lot of August Burns Red, and As I Lay Dying. FULL, and I mean FULL of break downs and shredding from the shallow depths of hell. LTGH also had some great stage presence. Except, I felt that their lead singer wasn’t having a pleasent day. I just don’t like when a vocalist doesn’t face the crowd 70% of the show, it’s rude, give us some excitement! Other then that, they are going places, and I really believe that.

Sourblood. These guys know how to put on a fucking show. They really kicked our asses, and let me be the first to tell you. It was their rhythm guitarist’s last show with the band. If their lead guitarist ever happened to venture into standup comedy, I’d probably be blogging about it as well. He’s was crackin’ the shit out of everyone there that night.

Chime-in time for Andyman: YO WASUP. Okay, so these last two bands were so bangin’ I couldn’t not (double negative) put in my two cents on this show review.

Let the Guilty Hang was my favorite band at this show. I think a more accurate description of their set would be early Lamb of God meets Atomic Bitchwax. Weird, I know…but seriously. These guys were talented, and treated show-goers with some awesome cross-genre…canoodling. Seriously, they would go from sweet solo, to epic breakdown, to crazy stoner-blues rock interlude, and then just a single beat of silence before slamming back into a ballbreaker riff. I was so excited about their performance, I went and bought a sticker, a CD, and a t-shirt (only $20, and they threw in a free button…sweet). I gave the CD a listen and was somewhat disappointed. There could be a hundred reasons for it, so I won’t speculate why, but the bottom line is these guys are much better live than they are on this particular CD.

Sourblood was perhaps the best band that night, though I personally prefer the style of Let the Guilty Hang. Sourblood had the energy, the enthusiasm, the repetoir, and the volume to set that place on fire. Good riddance to their guitar player who jumped in the pit during the last song and jacked me in the adams apple with his fucking headstock (PRS, I believe, from the red mark on my throat) lol j/k no hard feelings. (But seriously. Ow.) I also picked up these guys’ CD, and I must say I am impressed. They were selling the thing for like $3, which is an epic steal. If you get a chance to see these guys, do it, and pick up the CD. It’s worth it. Andyman out ( I was the handsome lad in the Death Angel t-shirt).

So this concludes our first ever local show review. I’d like to take the time and thank everyone out there at C.B.R.’s–the manager was awesome, as well as the countless other band members I had a chance to bullshit with throughout the night. And knuckleheads, please keep us posted as to when/where you will be playing around Columbus — we will try our hardest to show up. E-mail me butters[at]knucklesfirst.com

Admission Of Guilt Myspace

Gangster Like Drive By Myspace

Bless The Child Myspace

Let The Guilty Hang Myspace

Sourblood Myspace