THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER are back fuckers! They are back with an album that is as strong as the will and the passion these guys have! Even though most of you will accuse the band of being Metalcore or have melodic breaks, I have to say that these guys are one of the best and most brutal Metalcore/Deathcore bands out there. If your brains are still in your head after the amazing Miasma (2005), Nocturnal will just blow them away!

Let's start with one interesting fact. A band that has had the pleasure of featuring members (even just for touring issues) like Kevin Talley who has played for bands like DYING FETUS, MISERY INDEX and CHIMAIRA, and Tony Laureano, NILE's  ex drummer, cannot be just any band. THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER have proven that they are one of the sickest Metalcore bands out there since their debut album Unhallowed in 2003.

They were formed in 2000 and managed to get their name heard everywhere in just 3 years. I know it is also a matter of good promotion, but this band doesn't need luck and pushing from labels. Their hard work has rewarded them with the recognition they deserve, which grows larger day by day. They managed to release a really good debut album, continue with an amazing second full-length effort, and now they kick our sorry asses with their best album so far.

Nocturnal starts with Everything Went Black, a 3:17 anthem where the band unfolds its composing skills, as well as its incredible technique. This song may well be the most representative to what this band plays, slightly melodic Death Metal. Until the listener gets to the last track (Warborn), he will face countless times were he will just pray for mercy. The Michigan boys do not intend to soften for every easy listener. Their merciless Death Metal will make your ears bleed. Their clean and sharp production makes the blasts along with the poisonous riffs sound like a war tank ready to blast you down.

Nothing could have prepared me for such an assault by THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER! These guys seem more mature in every album they release and if they keep up like this, we will have to face the next big thing in Death Metal. The band's new drummer Shannon Lucas (ex-ALL THAT REMAINS, MENSREA) is like a beast behind his drum kit, Trevor's vocals are a lot better than they were in the past (his deep growling/hi pitched screams variation is just amazing) and the guitar work avoids the Metalcore standards and pays tribute to bands like SUFFOCATION and DISSECTION.

I am pretty sure that we are having to deal with one the best releases for 2007 here. This band has perfectly managed to maintain the balance between its US Death Metal and NWOSDM influences and create a unique (and definitely twisted) style. You can call it Metalcore, Deathcore, melodic Death Metal or any way you want to call it. I prefer to call it THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER...