Photo by: Alexandra Lorrae
The untimely loss of The Black Dahlia Murder front-man, Trevor Strnad, is nothing short of tragic. The metal community has been collectively stunned as we all attempt to wrap our minds around this unfathomable loss.
Trevor forged a legacy in his own right by being one of the most commandingly charismatic front-men in one of the most pivotal bands in all of extreme music. With 9 albums and countless tours over 20+ years; Trevor and TBDM solidified their monumental mark on the metal landscape. Trevor’s monstrous vocals and portrait-painting lyrics are what set The Black Dahlia Murder apart early on in their career. Though, Trevor really shined by honing the ability to make the crowd have as much fun as he was having on stage every night. Whether he was demanding everyone to flex and “show me your muscles!” or constantly flashing a smile so big you couldn’t help but do the same with him; every show felt like a party that he personally invited you to attend.
A torch-bearer for all extreme music, Trevor supported heavy underground music like none other. He was notorious for steadily championing underground bands. He would talk about new bands any chance he got. He would graciously take many of them out on their “first major tours” or give them their “big breaks” simply because he enjoyed their music so much. He would do guest vocals on almost every metal band you have and have not heard of. He even wrote a reoccurring column for the heavy music news site Metal Injection for years under the moniker The Obituarist. There he would also create curated playlists of countless underground bands who quite possibly may not have been discovered otherwise in the endless void of music. Trevor was never obligated to be metal’s biggest cheerleader. His undeniable passion was what compelled him to do all of this. The metal community benefited tremendously by having a man like Trevor proudly wave its flag for so long.
Author George R. R. Martin once hauntingly penned, “the brightest flame casts the darkest shadow.” If you ask any of Trevor’s colleagues or fans, he was undoubtedly a beacon of light in a world that can be seemingly engulfed by darkness. Though his flame illuminated the path for a myriad of metalheads; his shadow was the blackest incarnation. Even though he is no longer with us on this plane of existence, his undying spirit will forever reign here and beyond. We love you and miss you eternally. May you rest easy as you ride into the everblack.
-Amber Elkins