{"id":5608,"date":"2026-10-27T00:20:05","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T00:20:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slateman.net\/blog\/?p=5608"},"modified":"2026-10-28T02:24:41","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T02:24:41","slug":"concert-review-arch-enemy-the-black-dahlia-murder-silver-spring-md-25-october-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/slateman.net\/blog\/archives\/5608","title":{"rendered":"Concert Review: Arch Enemy\/The Black Dahlia Murder \u2013 Silver Spring, MD \u2013 25 October, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>I’ve never seen The Black Dahlia Murder<\/b>. Their sophomore release Miasma<\/b> was my 2005 AotY<\/a>, but I lost interest and only kept up casually as the years progressed. Glossing over the obvious tragedy, I was really surprised with Servitude<\/b> and when this tour was announced, I figured now would be a great time to see them for the first time. It’s rather infrequent that I see new<\/i> bands nowadays, being fortunate enough to have witnessed most of my idols and followed acts. Come to think of it, that’s a good article right there: Bands I’ve Never Seen. I digress.<\/p>\n

Tumultuous is the most sanitized word I can use about my situation leading into the show, so the ride north began on a somber tone. A few weeks ago I made a playlist matching the setlist and I’ve been prepping. Going through 10 albums is a daunting task, after all. <\/p>\n

Shedding my introspective attitude, I blasted the full setlist while muscling through waves of bullshit Sunday-night traffic. Quick pre-game prep for entrance, I grabbed some merch from the curiously short line, and enjoyed my chatter with the vendor who gave me a pile of Unhallowed<\/b> stickers that I’ll never be able to use\/give away.<\/p>\n

I caught Septicflesh’s<\/b> set and the Greek trio (missing one member who fell down some stairs and broke a few ribs) sounded pretty good. A pair of songs caught my interest, but the main reason I was there was next, so I timed it perfectly \u2014 as a concert-going veteran is wont to do \u2014 and got up front for the arrival of The Black Dahlia Murder<\/b>.<\/p>\n

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And they were simply fantastic. By the end of Necropolis<\/b>, I was at the barrier. Not one person behind like every other show I frequent, no, I was right there<\/b>. And there I remained: neither boots to the head nor a bouncer punch to the face could sway me. The band pummeled their way through 14 songs covering 7 albums, including 3 from my beloved Miasma<\/b>. Some didn’t go over as well as others, a scientific formula I cannot discern. In fact, it’s hard to pick a favorite song as I was so fucking thrilled to see every one. <\/p>\n

I took a handful of pictures, most of which came out great due to my proximity, but the hour flew by and the intensity hardly ever relented. Both guitars sounded great, Brian’s shift to vocals leave a haunting gap in the band’s presence, but he commanded the stage, and Alan Cassidy’s drums, foundational to the band’s brutality, didn’t miss a beat. <\/p>\n

More bodies flying overhead, including the ape during Statutory Ape<\/b>, my Monday morning revealed fully bruised forearms and the 50-year-old version of headbanger head. The final tally was just shy of an hour, but what an hour it was. I absolutely loved it. <\/p>\n

The setlist:<\/p>\n

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  1. Necropolis<\/li>\n
  2. Contagion<\/li>\n
  3. Mammoth’s Head<\/li>\n
  4. Moonlight Equilibrium<\/li>\n
  5. Panic Hysteric<\/li>\n
  6. Nightbringers<\/li>\n
  7. Everything Went Black<\/li>\n
  8. Cursed Creator<\/li>\n
  9. A Vulgar Picture<\/li>\n
  10. Miscarriage<\/li>\n
  11. Statutory Ape<\/li>\n
  12. Christ Deformed<\/li>\n
  13. Utopia Black<\/li>\n
  14. What A Horrible Night To Have A Curse<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    \n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\tThe Black Dahlia Murder: Miscarriage<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n
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    \n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\tThe Black Dahlia Murder: A Vulgar Picture<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n

    I stepped back to catch my breath; I didn’t need to be up front for Arch Enemy<\/b>. The wait was longer than I’d have liked, but when they emerged, it didn’t take me long to get right back, now to my usual second-in-line position. Unfortunately, I was behind two absolute idiots who spent the entire show filming. Well, when they weren’t hiding from the constant rain of bodies coming over the top. These assholes were the worst part of the show, and when one feared he’d lose his spot, he gave me a swift elbow to the throat. Whatever, glad he got his footage, which looks identical to the douche next to him. <\/p>\n

    Lauren came out donning a tight leather outfit and she just fucking shredded. Her voice is fantastic, way better than Alissa, and that’s the only comparison needed. No, Lauren was commanding and she was having a great time. She spoke about how Ravenous<\/b> made her want to sing like she does, and while the rest of the band appeared to be going through the motions, she was lively, energetic and fantastic. Make no mistake, however, the band’s performance was solid, with Erlandsson feeling atop of his game and the Michael\/Joey Concepcion duo hitting everything with precision. Sharlee seemed the least enthusiastic, both his demeanor and his playing, but nothing felt lacking. As my fifth time seeing the band, my biggest gripe was with the setlist. As a co-headlining date, I’m glad BDM<\/b> got more time, but Arch Enemy’s<\/b> choices were less inspiring to me. However, the good was just outstanding: Lauren’s headbanging on My Apocalypse<\/b>, the crowd’s response to Dead Bury Their Dead<\/b> and Nemesis<\/b>, and the overall sound \u2013 I loved it. <\/p>\n

    Not nearly as much as The Black Dahlia Murder<\/b> of course. <\/p>\n

    The setlist and some photos.<\/p>\n

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    1. The World Is Yours\n
    2. Ravenous\n
    3. War Eternal\n
    4. Blood Dynasty\n
    5. My Apocalypse\n
    6. To The Last Breath\n
    7. Under Black Flags We March\n
    8. The Eagle Flies Alone\n
    9. Bury Me An Angel\n
    10. Dead Bury Their Dead\n
    11. No Gods, No Masters\n
    12. Nemesis\n<\/ol>\n

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