“Before the tragedy, no one ever thought this band was going to exist without Trevor.” That’s The Black Dahlia Murder’s co-founder Brian Eschbach telling it like it is. With the tragic passing of TBDM’s frontman and co-founder Trevor Strnad in 2022, Eschbach, bassist Max Lavelle, drummer Alan Cassidy and producer/guitarist Brandon Ellis were faced with a decision: Close the door on one of the most beloved death metal bands of the last 20 years, or carry on in their fallen brother’s charismatic spirit?

After a period of grief and soul-searching, Eschbach moved to vocals, setting aside his lifelong identity as a guitarist for the survival of the band. The new lineup made their debut in TBDM’s hometown of Detroit in late October 2022 for a tribute show for Strnad, the first with Ryan Knight returning on guitar since 2015’s Abysmal.

The members of The Black Dahlia Murder know that some will be skeptical of an album without Trevor’s inimitable presence. But many fans have already embraced the band’s decision to move forward. “More than pressures or expectations from the fanbase, I feel their trust and support,” Ellis says. “We've always done what we do for them, and they've appreciated our consistency over the years. The global outcry following Trevor's passing has shown us how important the band's music has been to so many people, and how important it is that we continue in his honor.”