Album Review: The Black Dahlia Murder-Ritual

There are just some bands that can come out and consistently make amazing records. The band has to be really special to pull it off. The list of the bands that can pull of this amazing feat is short and The Black Dahlia Murder is on it.

Ritual is not only an amazing album, it's the best out of a long line of amazing albums. The Black Dahlia Murder has pushed their music even further this time. There is a more mature,heavy,melodic, and faster vibe this time around. Ritual takes the classic Black Dahlia Murder formula and just adds a bunch to it. It's evident from the opening seconds of "A Shrine To Madness" that the listener is in for brilliance. The subtle string arrangements are paired flawlessly with the first of many killer riffs that Ryan Knight sprinkles throughout the record. Knight's guitar playing and songwriting ability is a big reason that Ritual is so special. This is the first record he played a big part in writing and he just does such an amazing job. There is the perfect combination of breakneck speed and haunting melodic undertones. The guitar solos are the best to date from him and that's quite the accomplishment considering how great of a player he is.

Ritual is not only amazing because of Ryan Knight. The whole band goes above and beyond their previous work. Trevor Strand, who was already the best vocalist in modern death metal, makes his vocals even more menacing. I thought it was impossible for him to sound any better, but once again he rises to the occasion and continues to improves. Ditto with Shannon Lucas. He's always been an awesome drummer, but here he steps his game up even more. It's really amazing how dedicated they are to music and how they continue to push themselves to get even better over time. Some band at this point in their career start to get lazy, but not The Black Dahlia Murder.

Ritual is completely fucking incredible. The Black Dahlia Murder is in the minuscule number of bands that get better with each release they put out. This is Black Dahlia at their absolute finest. Every single song is completely amazing and it is a god damn hard task to pick favorite songs on this record, the whole record is that good. The Black Dahlia Murder continue to prove why they are modern death metal legends, they are absolute gods of the genre. Ritual is an instant classic that will be remembered for years to come in the death metal community.

5/5 Stars
Standout Tracks
1.Carbonized In Cruciform
2.Moonlight Equilibrium
3.Blood In The Ink