What makes Nocturnal by The Black Dahlia Murder notable?

Nocturnal received critical acclaim upon release, debuting at number 113 on the Billboard 200 chart and showcasing the band's growing popularity. It is frequently cited as a significant work within the melodic death metal genre, influencing subsequent artists and contributing to the band's reputation for crafting memorable and intense compositions. Released on January 1, 2007, Nocturnal was The Black Dahlia Murder's fourth studio album and marked their continued evolution within the melodic death metal genre. Following the success of their previous album, 2005's Miasma, this record solidified their presence in the metal scene and showcased their ability to blend technical prowess with catchy melodies.

Who is Nocturnal for?

Nocturnal works well if you're into steady energetic flow throughout, haunting atmosphere with intensity and focused listening for full impact.

How many songs are on Nocturnal?

Nocturnal has 10 tracks, running approximately 34 minutes.

Nocturnal

The Black Dahlia Murder · 2007

34 min · 10 tracks · melodic death metal

Aggressive riffs intertwine with melodic intricacies, delivering a relentless exploration of darkness and despair in melodic death metal.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Everything Went Black — The opening track sets a dark tone with its furious pace and intricate guitar work, establishing the album's thematic focus on mortality and despair.
→
I Worship Only What You Bleed — This track features haunting melodies paired with brutal instrumentation, exemplifying the band’s signature juxtaposition of beauty and aggression.
→
Nocturnal — The title track encapsulates the album's essence through its relentless energy and lyrical themes that explore darkness and existential dread.
→
Deathmask Divine — A standout for its chilling atmosphere and compelling riff progression, this song captures both emotional weight and musical complexity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album combines aggressive riffs with melodic elements, showcasing strong craftsmanship and solid songwriting.

What we noticed

The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a relentless tempo, which is maintained through the first half before slowing down slightly in the latter tracks.
Riffs often alternate between aggressive chugging and intricate melodic lines, creating a dynamic contrast within individual songs.
Vocals shift between high-pitched screams and deep growls, adding to the intensity and emotional weight of the lyrics.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady energetic flow throughout
haunting atmosphere with intensity
focused listening for full impact
short bursts of frenetic energy

Maybe skip if you

prefer slow, mellow experiences
favor standalone tracks over cohesion

Where this album fits

Career context: Released on January 1, 2007, Nocturnal was The Black Dahlia Murder's fourth studio album and marked their continued evolution within the melodic death metal genre. Following the success of their previous album, 2005's Miasma, this record solidified their presence in the metal scene and showcased their ability to blend technical prowess with catchy melodies.
Stylistic neighbors: At the Gates· Soilwork· In Flames