The Black Dahlia Murder has exciting news to share ahead of their much-anticipated performance at Sonic Temple this weekend. The iconic metal band has officially announced their new guitarist, while also revealing a significant lineup change for their upcoming shows that fans will not want to miss.

Meet the New Guitarist of The Black Dahlia Murder: Wes Hauch

In a heartfelt video message shared across the band’s social media platforms, Brian Eschbach enthusiastically announced that they have successfully found a replacement for the guitarist position left vacant by Brandon Ellis, who departed from the group earlier this year in February.

“Sonic Temple will mark our very first performance with someone many of you already know and love, the incredibly talented guitarist, Mr. Wes Hauch. We are absolutely thrilled to welcome him into our fold, and you can expect to see him shredding with us for the foreseeable future,” the lead singer expressed with great excitement.

Wes Hauch boasts an impressive background in the metal genre, having recently performed with Alluvial. He has also contributed his exceptional guitar skills to numerous esteemed projects, including records with Periphery, The Faceless, Austrian Death Machine, Black Crown Initiate, Devin Townsend, and Polyphia, among others.

Additional Announcements from The Black Dahlia Murder

As The Black Dahlia Murder prepares to take the stage with Hauch, it’s important to note that Eschbach will unfortunately be absent from their next two festival performances.

“In other news, due to personal circumstances, I regret to inform you that I will not be able to perform with the band at these two upcoming festivals. Instead of canceling our participation in these incredible events, we decided to seek a bit of assistance. Thus, we are delighted to announce that my longtime friend and collaborator, Guy Kozowyk of The Red Chord, will be stepping in to handle the vocal duties,” the frontman shared with fans.

READ MORE: Brian Eschbach of The Black Dahlia Murder Reflects on His Most Fulfilling Experiences with the Band

“We hope those attending enjoy these once-in-a-lifetime mashup events. But rest assured, I will return to the band this summer, ready to rock and melt your faces off,” he added with optimism.

What to Expect from The Black Dahlia Murder in 2025

Currently, The Black Dahlia Murder’s tour schedule for 2025 remains relatively limited. They are set to perform at the Sonic Temple Festival on Friday, May 9, in Columbus, Ohio, followed by a show on May 18 at Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach, Florida. It’s important to note that Eschbach will be sitting out both of these performances.

The band is scheduled to return to the stage in September, with planned appearances at the highly regarded Louder Than Life festival on September 18 and a performance at the Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts, on September 20.

For all the latest updates, tour dates, and ticketing information regarding The Black Dahlia Murder, fans can visit the official website for the band.