Deflorate

Hardcore proponents of black metal may argue that since the Black Dahlia Murder are injecting their fourth studio album with hints of melody, the Waterford, Michigan quintet’s music can no longer be called black metal. But subgenre nitpicking aside, the subtle melodies heard on Deflorate don’t turn the songs into the kinds of tunes you can hum to yourself. From the opening assault of “Black Valor” it’s hard to believe that this band hails from Michigan and not Bergen, Norway especially since Trevor Strnad’s shrill, larynx-shredding shrieks sometimes resemble those of Gaahl from Gorgoroth. Named after a mythological city of the dead, “Necropolis” is easily the most evil sounding number here. “A Selection Unnatural” is another standout with pummeling riffs, lightning leads and rapid-fire drum beats from new guitarist Ryan Knight that fly like a hail of bullets. Unlike most recorded drumming in this genre, the drums on Deflorate sound less mechanical and more like an actual drum kit, giving the album an overall classic sound and a live feel.