Trevor Strnad — the lead vocalist and co-founding member of Michigan melodeath outfit the Black Dahlia Murder — has died. The band confirmed the artist's passing this afternoon on social media, though a cause of death was not revealed. He was 41.
"Beloved son, brother, and Shepard of good times, he was loved by all that met him," the Black Dahlia Murder wrote of Strnad, calling 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."
Strnad joined the Black Dahlia Murder upon the band's 2001 inception, and contributed vocals and lyrics to all nine of the band's studio albums, the most of recent of which is 2020's Verminous. The band were due to support Parkway Drive on a North American tour this month, which was ultimately cancelled.
In his career with the Black Dahlia Murder, Strnad spoke with Exclaim! on three occasions, beginning with a 2008 interview after the release of the group's third album, Nocturnal — a record he felt was meant to give listeners an "awareness of old school death metal."
"I got into death metal when I was 15. I'm 27 now and I'm still combing the annals of death metal. I'm buying obscure albums and I'm just as obsessed with it as I've ever been," Strnad shared, later adding, "The internet's the best thing that ever happened to death metal. So many talented, awesome bands are on small-assed labels because it's not a marketable kind of music. It's hard to find and record stores are going the way of the graveyard. At least the indies. Best Buy isn't about to sell death metal. [The internet] helps the word-of-mouth and it's been a great tool. I do download ... a lot of shit. But I buy too. Buying CDs is my ultimate vice; a problem, I do it so much."
Strnad would cross paths with Exclaim! again in 2018, appearing on Exclaim! TV's Aggressive Tendencies after the release of his band's 2017 LP Nightbringers. In his appearance, he discussed musical aims outside of the Black Dahlia Murder.
"There are a lot of different things I'd love to do outside of this band. I'd love to sing in a punk band again… some kind of Fat Wreck Chords type shit," Strnad shared. "This band takes up so much of my life ... Every egg of my life is in this one basket, basically. I've put 1,000 percent into it. It's hard for me to deviate."
Shortly before the release of Verminous, Strnad took part in Exclaim!'s Cannabis Heroes interview series, speaking about his love for the plant and its impact on his artistry.
Find tributes to Strnad from Hatebreed's Jamey Jasta, Testament's Alex Skolnick, Within the Ruins, Fleshgod Apocalypse and more below.
"Beloved son, brother, and Shepard of good times, he was loved by all that met him," the Black Dahlia Murder wrote of Strnad, calling 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."
Strnad joined the Black Dahlia Murder upon the band's 2001 inception, and contributed vocals and lyrics to all nine of the band's studio albums, the most of recent of which is 2020's Verminous. The band were due to support Parkway Drive on a North American tour this month, which was ultimately cancelled.
In his career with the Black Dahlia Murder, Strnad spoke with Exclaim! on three occasions, beginning with a 2008 interview after the release of the group's third album, Nocturnal — a record he felt was meant to give listeners an "awareness of old school death metal."
"I got into death metal when I was 15. I'm 27 now and I'm still combing the annals of death metal. I'm buying obscure albums and I'm just as obsessed with it as I've ever been," Strnad shared, later adding, "The internet's the best thing that ever happened to death metal. So many talented, awesome bands are on small-assed labels because it's not a marketable kind of music. It's hard to find and record stores are going the way of the graveyard. At least the indies. Best Buy isn't about to sell death metal. [The internet] helps the word-of-mouth and it's been a great tool. I do download ... a lot of shit. But I buy too. Buying CDs is my ultimate vice; a problem, I do it so much."
Strnad would cross paths with Exclaim! again in 2018, appearing on Exclaim! TV's Aggressive Tendencies after the release of his band's 2017 LP Nightbringers. In his appearance, he discussed musical aims outside of the Black Dahlia Murder.
"There are a lot of different things I'd love to do outside of this band. I'd love to sing in a punk band again… some kind of Fat Wreck Chords type shit," Strnad shared. "This band takes up so much of my life ... Every egg of my life is in this one basket, basically. I've put 1,000 percent into it. It's hard for me to deviate."
Shortly before the release of Verminous, Strnad took part in Exclaim!'s Cannabis Heroes interview series, speaking about his love for the plant and its impact on his artistry.
Find tributes to Strnad from Hatebreed's Jamey Jasta, Testament's Alex Skolnick, Within the Ruins, Fleshgod Apocalypse and more below.
I remember listening to The Black Dahlia Murder for the first time almost 20 years ago and being consumed by Trevor's voice because I couldn't comprehend it being one person. An absolute beast on vox and a certified great dude.
— Dead Heat (@DeadHeat805) May 11, 2022
RIP Trevor Strnad🖤
