The Black Dahlia Murder
Named for the infamous 1947 slaying of 22-year-old Elizabeth Short, aka the Black Dahlia, sounds like they should live in Scandinavia, whence originates much of the
frenetic brand of death and black metal that inspires them. Formed in January 2001, the group followed their six-song What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse demo with the four-track A Cold-Blooded
Epitaph EP, which was released on their own Lovelost Records. With a number of acclaimed concerts appearances like the Milwaukee Metal Fest already under their belts, the group then signed with Metal Blade in 2003 and were soon recording their debut album, Unhallowed.
2005's Miasma and
2007's Nocturnal kept death metal as the group's foundation, though the band began exhibiting an increasingly melodic streak that came to fruition on
2009's brutal, but majestic Deflorate.