The Black Dahlia Murder Touring Europe Without Guitarist Ryan Knight

Update, 11:00 a.m.: Sources tell us the guitarist touring in Knight’s place is Brandon Ellis (Cannabis Corpse, Arsis). Still no word on whether or not he’s replacing Knight permanently or is just filling-in for this tour. Original story follows below.

Multiple MetalSucks readers who have seen The Black Dahlia Murder on their current tour of Europe have alerted us to the fact that the band is performing without their lead guitarist, Ryan Knight. Fan filmed video and photos confirm this to be the case — even with the face out of focus, it’s clear from his stage movements that whomever is touring with the band right now is not Knight.

Knight is, however, present in this video of the band performing in Ohio last month:

So what’s going on? Is Knight out of the band, or just sitting out the current trek for some reason?

In January of 2012, the band toured Europe without then-bassist Ryan “Bart” Williams; that April, they confirmed that Williams was leaving the group and being replaced by Max Lavelle, the bassist who had done that tour. Hopefully that’s not the case here — Knight is an incredible musician and it would be really sad to see him split.

Representatives for Metal Blade Records, TBDM’s label, declined to comment. We’ll let you know more as soon as we do.