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First Impressions is a column that expresses my opinion based solely on my first impression as a casual listener. This is in no way an actual review, but what my first thoughts about the release are without being critical. Please know this before you slam my server with hate mail. |
The Black Dahlia Murder was once a band I could always turn to for a good swift kick in the ass. Their live shows were always something spectacular to behold, and the music was simply uncompromising from start to finish. The band had been one of my favorite groups since their Metal Blade Records debut album Unhallowed and catching them on tour for that album supporting Cannibal Corpse. Since then I've seen this group more times then I can count, just narrowly edging out their labelmates Goatwhore by one (for a grand total six times). However, I swore to never review any of this band's material. Sadly, their vocalist (Trevor), my fiancee, and I, kind of have a bit of a history together that doesn't end well. No, he didn't sleep with my girl or anything along those lines. It all had to do with something that was said being really turned around rather quickly. Either way, the point is that due to the fallout that happened between him and I, there's always been that doubt I wouldn't judge the band's material fairly, so if I can't be unbiased towards it, I don't want to review it. Period..
But, it's been about five, six years since all this started, so perhaps it's time to just let it go and give this new single and spin then see where it all stands. Since "First Impressions" isn't a genuine critical review of anything, and meerly my thoughts on an album or song just by the first one or two spins of it without being overly critical, I figure I can let everything slide to compose this article. And, honestly, it just sounds like typical Black Dahlia Murder. There's absolutely nothing too special about it other then the guitars feel a little more melodic at times, especially around the chorus. And that's kind of what kills it for me. That hint of melody is never really present on their previous albums, and if it was, then it was more brutal or intense then it is here that I never really picked up on it. The music also stays consistent throughout, never really breaking up outside of one section that really slows the pace down and feels a little odd as a whole.
Really that's all I can say about the song in the initial spins. The song is good, but nothing I'd go batty over, whether I was still a die hard fan or not. The melody leaves the track feeling a little open at times, and the general non-stop faster pace is there with the higher pitched rhaspy vocals with random gutterals thrown in here and there. If you liked the group's previous efforts, there's no doubt you're going to enjoy this song. While this track wasn't anything to convert me back to a rabid fan, it was mildly enjoyable for what it was, and allowed me to realize that, yes, I'm over what happened...until next time...duhn duhn duhnnn!
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Click here to stream "Moonlight Equilibrium" off the label's official Youtube page. |
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