Michigan extreme metal band THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER has just announced a Trevor Strnad celebration of life concert to take place in Detroit on October 28 at Saint Andrew’s Hall.
The concert marks the band’s return to the stage after the untimely passing of their beloved frontman on May 11. Founding member Brian Eschbach will be putting down his guitar and taking on the role of lead vocalist moving forward — a decision that wasn’t made lightly when the band got together to discuss their future after they started to work through the initial shock and grief of losing their best friend. Stepping back into the THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER family is guitarist Ryan Knight. Support for the show will come from DARKEST HOUR and PLAGUE YEARS.
Tickets go on sale this Friday, September 16 at 10 a.m. ET.
Decibel has interviewed all members of the band for a cover story of the magazine’s November 2022 issue, out this month.
Eschbach tells Decibel: “We spent many days thinking things like, ‘Is this over?’ None of us wanted it to be over. We still feel like there is a lot left to do. I know Trevor would keep this band going if I went down a deep, dark path and weren’t here. It’s bigger than us. When we finally started talking about it, we thought, ‘Let’s remake it from within and see if Ryan wants to return. And I’ll take a crack on the vocals and see how it goes.’ I can’t go out there and do Trevor’s voice or try to be him. I can only execute the music of THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER with respect and try to do it the most justice I can. I’ve heard Trevor perform more than anyone else alive.”
Knight says the decision to return was easy despite the difficult circumstances. “The time I’ve spent with this band is the best time I’ve ever had,” he says. “Being away has given me a lot of time to reflect, and it always occurred to me that being in THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER is the best use of my time. I’ve thought a lot about the band while I was away and realized how much value this band has. I almost feel like I let some opportunities slip, being away from the band. So, it feels great to be back and like everything has come full circle. I’ve realized how much I love being in this band.”
A memorial for Strnad was held on July 30 at St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit. The private event was attended by Strnad’s friends, family members and music industry colleagues, including Brian Slagel and Michael Faley of THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER’s record label, Metal Blade Records, and BROKEN HOPE guitarist Jeremy Wagner.
Strnad’s death was announced by his bandmates on social media on May 11. At the time, they wrote: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Trevor Scott Strnad. Beloved son, brother, and Shepard of good times, he was loved by all that met him. A walking encyclopedia of all things music. He was a hugger, a writer, and truly one of the world’s greatest entertainers. His lyrics provided the world with stories and spells and horror and whimsy. It was his life to be your show.” The band also shared the telephone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER guitarist Brandon Ellis wrote in a separate post: “I can not even begin to process this… In total shock and disbelief. It has been my greatest honor to spend the last six and a half years in a band with this absolute icon and legend. A brother. A best friend. One of the funniest and most entertaining people to walk the earth. The life of the party that is THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, as well as any given room he happens to occupy. A lyrical mastermind. A champion of the entire culture of heavy music. Also my biggest supporter. This man changed my life and believed in me more than I do myself. I can not believe there will no more laughs had, songs written together, or stages decimated with Trevor at the helm. I hope he knew how much he was loved the world over.”