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NEWS

Artist Spotlight:
Brian Eschbach of The Black Dahlia Murder

Hailing from Waterford, Michigan, Brian Eschbach of melodic death metal band The Black Dahlia Murder has been an ESP player for many years, and an official part of the ESP Family since 2006. Brian is a founding member of The Black Dahlia Murder, formed in 2001.

Like most bands, TBDM started by doing shows and recording demos and EPs to gain some local attention. They also gained the notice of Metal Blade Records, who signed them in 2003. Their first full length album, 2003ʻs Unhallowed, didnʼt cause very much fanfare, but two years later, their follow-up Miasma proved that TBDM was a band to be taken seriously, reaching the Billboard Top 200.

It was in 2005 that Brian had a rather interesting experience. Weʼre not 100% positive, but weʼre pretty sure that Brian is the only artist endorsed by ESP who not only appeared on television completely naked, but was subsequently arrested for it. He was filming a show for Fuse, interviewing bands and fans at Ozzfest in Pittsburgh, when the towel he was wearing was pulled off by someone. Unfortunately, Brian wasnʼt wearing anything under the towel, and he was soon seized by the police. Brianʼs statement on the matter at the time, after his subsequent release: “I'd like to start off by saying that it feels good to be free. Of course, it's weird saying that when this incident just draws so much light on how much injustice there is in America and how much general lack of freedom we really have. But it feels good to be back on tour rocking with my bandmates... and word up to all my boys in cell A and I hope to see you all again soon.”

More Albums, More Tours

In 2007, the band released their third album, Nocturnal, which did even better than the past two, and debuted at #72 on the Billboard charts. They then did some big-time touring, joining labelmates on Metal Bladeʼs 25th anniversary celebration tour. During this time frame, The Black Dahlia Murder toured with a number of other ESP-playing bands, including Goatwhore, Kataklysm, and Whitechapel, as well as an opening slot for Children of Bodom. The tour resulted in more than new fans; they also produced a DVD of the experience called “Majesty”.

In 2009, TBDM continued their success with the release of Deflorate, their fourth studio album which entered the charts at #43 (and hit #4 on Billboardʼs Top Hard Music Albums chart). Brian and the rest of TBDM didnʼt rest on their laurels; after more rounds of touring, they recorded their most successful album to date, 2011ʼs Ritual, which peaked at #31 on the Top 200 and again got as high as #4 on the hard rock charts.

Brian and ESP

While Brian has turned to a number of different ESP models over the years, his current axe of choice is a custom ESP Eclipse. Itʼs a great-looking design that Brian created, with quilted maple in a natural satin finish, with a Floyd Rose and EMG pickups. If youʼre looking to get Brianʼs sound but arenʼt quite ready to jump into your own ESP Custom, the ESP Eclipse and LTD EC Series are available for a wide range of guitarists.