Brandon Ellis has left The Black Dahlia Murder, marking the end of an era for the band and their fans. After nearly a decade as the band’s lead guitarist, Ellis announced his departure earlier today, leaving behind a discography that includes Nightbringers (2017), Verminous (2020), and Servitude (2024).
Ellis kept it brief, avoiding any deep dive into why he’s moving on, simply stating, “Unfortunately, the time has come that I must close this chapter and begin the next.” That’s about as vague as it gets, but the tone makes it clear—this isn’t a bitter split. If anything, he seems to be leaving on good terms.
His statement also acknowledged what many fans will be thinking: the sheer weight of playing in a band that lost its heart and soul when frontman Trevor Strnad passed away in 2022. “I’m grateful for my nine years spent with this iconic band, and to have had the rare honour of making music with the legendary Trevor Strnad,” Ellis wrote. “I’m proud of my contributions to the band’s legacy and of all that we’ve accomplished together.”
The Black Dahlia Murder responded with their own message of appreciation, saying, “We wanna thank Brandon Ellis for his nine years of service and wish him the best of luck in all future endeavours.” Straight to the point, but nothing about it feels like theres bad blood.
Ellis was a defining part of the the bands second wind. When he joined in 2016, stepping into the shoes of Ryan Knight, he had the impossible task of keeping up with a band whose technical proficiency was their calling card. His contributions, both in songwriting and in pure shred ability, helped push Nightbringers and Verminous into some of the most celebrated releases of their career.
There’s no word on what’s next for him, but it’s safe to assume he’ll land on his feet. Whether it’s another band or a solo project, Ellis is too much of a force to stay quiet for long.
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