Band:	The Black Dahlia Murder
Album:	Nocturnal
Style:	Melodic death metal, Metalcore
Release date:	September 18, 2007
Guest review by:	b0000mst1ck

01. Everything Went Black
02. What A Horrible Night To Have A Curse
03. Virally Yours
04. I Worship Only What You Bleed
05. Nocturnal
06. Deathmask Divine
07. Of Darkness Spawned
08. Climactic Degradation
09. To A Breathless Oblivion
10. Warborn

The heathens are back with their third release: Nocturnal. Ten tracks of constant, driving mayhem that should become a textbook definition of deathcore. Their perfect mixture of death metal and hardcore elements should really say something, as they still haven't given up on either influence. Both are prevalent throughout, yet somehow work together.

The album opens with the slammer "Everything Went Black". There's no intro here, but instead a head-first dive into the organized chaos that has sky-rocketed this band to the top of the American metal food chain. Immediately it becomes apparent that Trevor Strnad either strained his vocal chords, or lost some of his edge from performing, because the vocal parts sound weaker than before. However, every instrument on the album is accented and balanced well, and is still just as driving and emotionally driven as anything else this band has done; non-stop, technically aggressive music at it's finest.

There's no decline of intensity in this album, but the closest you get to a "break" is during the ninth track, "To a Breathless Oblivion". The tempo is slower than the rest of the songs, but it still isn't lacking in heaviness or edge by any means. It may be heavy in a difference sense, but if you're expecting a chance to breathe, forget it.

Instrumentally speaking, not one musician disappoints. Anytime both guitarists provide a duel lead, both match up perfectly and seem to feed off of each other. There are some refreshing key changes, unrelenting breakdowns, and plenty of clean sounding solo work. Also, the drummer is a great example of how well someone can hone and perfect their skills. He was decent on "Unhallowed" and "Miasma", but everything comes together on this one. More difficult fills, awe-inspiring blast beats, and great footwork. For a perfect example check out the last 50 seconds of track six, "Deathmask Divine". Double bass rolls, at their finest.

The Black Dahlia Murder are apparently doing something right, because they've been supporting this album on tour since it debuted, returning to almost every city at least once. The talent was there on "Miasma", but on "Nocturnal", it's showcased. They've reached their true potential, and if you haven't heard them yet, now's your chance.