The Black Dahlia Murder - Removal of the Oaken Stake Full Playthrough

Here is a full song playthrough for Removal of the Oaken Stake to go along with the lesson for today on Shred Light District where I detail all of the riffs, harmonies, and my songwriting strategy to put this whole tune together!
That lesson can be found below:
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To make this video, I recorded a live take playing through the whole song over the drum and bass stems, which you see here, then I added in some FX in my DAW and tracked all the missing harmonies and mixed them in low. No miming! The tone is a NAM capture of my 100w EVH 5153 EL34 head and matching cab with some SM57s.

[@LambChopper678]

I'm embarrassed to say I've just discovered you man, your riffs and style are absolutely killer.

[@USDAselect]

Ahoy there dude. His rig setups awesome too. Killer tone and he's playing through an EVH Iconic 80 watt head.

[@Jeffmetal42]

everyone talks about your lead work (which is indeed very impressive) but dude... Your riffs are crazy good. 🤘🤘

[@TimOertel]

For sure. Beyond that, his vibrato is never too quick and shrill for the song. It ebbs and flows and around the tempo for emphasis for the needed phrasing.

[@Jeffmetal42]

@@TimOertel perfectly said

[@kyleearley8194]

100%

[@raymondmiller8664]

It's his sense of "effortlessness" that make him memorizing

[@J1Nflo]

Dude is so smoooooth. Ryan is incredible but Brandon has that flowwww

[@eddominates]

It's crazy how much you changed Dahlia without changing it. Seamless integration.

[@smokingcrab2290]

He was the missing piece they always needed

[@OpenCasket19]

We are all eternally greatfull that you do these videos, thank you

[@DomicidalCovers]

Oh here he is again with another banger! Love the melodies in this one, but I also have noticed how there's always a classical edge to a lot of the key changes to both your leads and melodies. A lot of players go nuts with it, but you use a subtle amount which keeps it interesting and add flavour. Not sure any of that made sense, but I'm loving it basically👍

[@greatsoutherntrendkill79]

Read my comment

[@plaguerunner3392]

Any chance on a 27 frett for us regular folk?

[@AlienRope]

Dude has a whole ass spaceship in that room

[@caseygroves3046]

I would really like for more people to understand how up there with legendary guitarists you are.

[@АлександрКоростелев-з8ч]

Сперва лайк, потом просмотр. :) Молодец, как всегда.

[@AtomicMeatballGuitar]

How do you set up your amps? That tone is so good.

[@sunsty1e]

cant wait to hear you and ryan on the same record =p

[@RebieRebs]

I love watching these, Brandon. I play bass and even though I know nothing about electric guitar, this inspires me to play more bass! I love TBDM! Stay safe! And thank you ♥️♥️♥️

[@raymondmiller8664]

Love the look of the maple fretboard with the black and gold crackle inlays. 🤘

[@J1Nflo]

Wow I didn't even notice it was on the inlays as well That's amazing!

[@BrandonJohnstonMusic]

Killing it bro . Was looking into signing up on your patreon for the lessons. Definitely a big influence in me wanting to grind out guitar.

[@Reptar11]

Dude you have the tastiest vibrato in the game. The EVHs sound so nasty. What do you like best about them compared to the Peavys? Been rocking my 5153 for 9 years now 🤘🤘

[@CrushingAxes]

Man this guitar is so cool! Great tone! This song is very awesome too!

[@jorge_tati]

ultra mega cool!!!!! ,🤘🏿🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@brandonharris9160]

It would be cool to see Brandon Ellis do some more Arsis playthroughs, they are underrated

[@moderndaygrinch]

Any tips for getting your Floyd to flutter?

[@Jeffmetal42]

Smack that hoe! 🤣 You can also just slide your hand off of it while you have it pressed in. Those are the ways I know to do it, but I also don't play lead stuff so I never use it.

[@alexlapena]

These are always instant clicks, flawless stuff.

[@eddominates]

and even if he messed up he would still upload it. he just doesn't mess up!

[@nickalderman5943]

god I have a mighty need for a gold and maple Kelly.

[@cxnzz2659]

as always a perfect playthrough 🤘

[@noelwhittington6457]

Your video popped up ,had to watch and say you have a badass jackson guitar!

[@gestaltzerfaII]

crazy crazy, love the depth of tone you're getting

[@angeleyes4039]

I'm at my desk bashing my head against the keyboard and he's calm as meditating monk...Zen and the art of shredding by B. Ellis

[@greatsoutherntrendkill79]

I asked Cassidy a while back if he heard what I heard. I can’t help but hear the music from The Goodies when the Fratellis busted out of jail and raced down the beach. More profound when the intro picks up. I asked if you did it purposely ( most likely not ). Just keep an open mind if you listen to it. 🤷🏻‍♂️😆 Im gonna bust out the Black Dahlia Mower tomorrow and butcher the grass. Stay black!

[@tristanvillani9855]

I got kinda bored with DBM with everblack but something about verminous really clicks with me. Not sure what others think about that album in comparison to their other work but I've been listening to it just as much as i had with their first 5 albums. I like it better than nightbringers honestly

[@ivorlongshot]

Such a great tune man.

[@st.peterunner8758]

We are not worthy

[@scoobybenguitars]

What a treat!

[@JdT93_]

Love the harmonics 🤘🏻 hope Brandon stays in the band for a long time.

[@amd67]

Hey Brandon, what's that unit right above your 5150 iconic in the rack? Is that an attenuator?

[@BrandonEllisGtr]

It's a preamp/power amp/cabinet selector I had custom made for me by De Lisle. All of my amps inputs/fx loops/speaker outs patch through it.

[@amd67]

@@BrandonEllisGtr Wicked. Thanks for the reply I friggin lub u

[@StopPanakinAnakin]

That rail neck pickup looks so fricken satisfying right by the neck slice. *groans* Youre incredible as always, Brandon. Thanks for the constant inspiration and entertainment.

[@PNW_Wolfpack_Adventures]

Damn dude this was awesome

[@louisxD]

Amazing writing!

[@djrenault]

how does one get one's hands on that NAM capture? sounds sick

[@StrongBornBullies2]

❤❤❤ YES!!! I wonder if it's a full rig...

[@harshgarrett]

hey man can you share your nam capture? please

[@mikelangelier5734]

1:52 Did I remember to feed the dog 🤣

[@TheWolverine7]

just confirming the guitar gods were stank-facing in approval 😂

[@gregp4404]

$&!?ing Outstanding!

[@DEADITEDAN]

Wholy pedalboard! 😳🥴🤤

[@sylviagilbert8536]

yeah. what can I say? just a fantastic song.

[@CodyJonas]

this riff kills

[@IgnacioCentu96]

Love this song! it has a lot of intricate riffs

[@AlexRG8]

Nobody better! 😎🤘🎶💯

[@ColdDayInHell]

You had big shoes to fill and you uhhh. No disrespect to any previous guitarist. But as a 34 year old “guitarist” , who has had you guys since 8th grade …. you’re an old soul. Keep it up ❤

[@theocatti1236]

God I love this song.

[@samuelthomasengardio]

@Brandon Ellis I really want an Alder bodied Jackson archtop dinky 8 string with a Floyd Rose in a 26.5" scale length. Please help make this happen.

[@moderndaygrinch]

Shred 🙏

[@thegeetarmann]

🤘😎🤘

[@Ghallium]

Such a tasty riff

[@HappyKozak]

🔥🔥🔥

[@CyberFX01-xw5jt]

Masterpiece!

[@JimmyRare]

Amazing riffs!

[@QwikVidz]

What a treat

[@StrongBornBullies2]

Awesome!! Is your NAM capture a Full rig? Amp, cab mic/speaker.

[@SteamheadBlue]

Who I do I gotta blow for a I will return play through?!

[@FknAzzMuncher]

that which erodes the most tender of things too

[@joaoterraaa]

AMAZING

[@gregoriyefimovichrasputin4931]

Sunless Empire Playthrough Please

[@iLLuzion1st]

Im STILL trying to learn this album! Verminous is a right hand workout omg

[@RSilversurfe]

firE🤘

[@richardevans3951]

Thank you Brandon! These videos are the best!!! 🤟🤟🤟

[@greatsoutherntrendkill79]

I call him Effortless Ellis. If you didn’t feel good from listening to this then you don’t have a feel good bone in your body. Sucks to be you. 😆 what keeps me coming back? the wild women the wild women, the rippin and the tearin the rippin and the tearin

[@brycemooreguitar]

Man this is just so dope being able to use you tube to slow down the videos to learn exactly how to play this! Thank you brandon, this lead riff with that big vibrato is maybe one of the best sounds any guitar has ever made!!

[@gavendelrio9193]

Christ that’s a gorgeous Kelly!!!!

[@EL_DUDERIN0]

Yay-ya. This is so sick. My picking is getting so much better from jamming to these. So much fun thanks Brandon!

[@Will-sg1qq]

Brandon has convinced me my first tube amp gonna be a evh iconic 😂

[@themightymcb7310]

He sounded just as good on the 6505 mh. It's in the hands when it comes down to it

[@Will-sg1qq]

@@themightymcb7310 I definitely agree I was makin jokes cause ppl are always hatin on the iconic but I say it sounds great imo, I just know my first real amp is gonna be a evh or peavy

[@themightymcb7310]

@@Will-sg1qq I thought they sounded pretty good. It does the 5150 thing, that's really all anyone can ask for.

[@tonybarber420]

Is that a joyo pedal on the first row, orange one??

[@DEATHMETALRUST]

My favorite song on Verminous.

[@CreepingDeath_]

Best TBDM song ever written. Instant classic

[@WhyteBoosy]

You’re pretty good are you in a band

[@Zhaggysfaction]

I'm in love with that guitar.

[@michaelkruppenbacher1711]

2:40 is just too damn good.

[@katiahrvth8483]

thank you for this, the riff has been etched into my brain since 2020

[@xulxer9077]

masterful

[@adamhector8104]

I'm in love 😍

[@aaronhenschel1885]

Thanks

[@jamiedelong7095]

Arguably one of the best solos on the album

[@EL_DUDERIN0]

Dawn of Rats! Dawn of Rats! No wait, they're all good. Dawn of Rats!

[@themightymcb7310]

I want to agree, but Sunless Empire exists

[@jamiedelong7095]

@@themightymcb7310 I mean yes, but I can’t dispute that any song on verminous is better than another

[@TerryWest91]

Insane playing

[@masato9995]

great playing

[@thesmileofdawn]

awesome!

[@corvo1324]

That guitar 😍

[@kylemiller4999]

Oh this guy is in the band??

[@pellekorvsson3203]

yes lol

[@kylemiller4999]

@@pellekorvsson3203 thought it was weird for a KZbin cover artist to have so much equipment lol. Ni wonder he's playing it so tightly

[@MidnightDesperado66]

Sounds a lot like Iron Maiden?

[@AffixedEvil]

I haven't listened to Iron Maiden much, but I don't think his stuff is similar to what they did. Yes, he implements some things used by Iron Maiden, such as harmonies between two guitars in thirds and he certainly was influenced by metal bands from 80's and 90's but I can't say he has Maiden in his playing style.

[@Blessedddd762]

🦾

[@kruno_peric]

why is the 5150 powered up if you're using a NAM capture (curious)

[@BrandonEllisGtr]

I am going into a DI box into my interface but also sending it thru to my real amps. The iconic is dialed in the way I like to hear myself in the room and I am just using it for monitoring. I guess I could have easily just recorded a mic on the cab instead of using NAM but it was just convenient to commit to one of my captures to get a nice mix going quickly rather than... I would probably have been tempted to spend all day turning knobs and moving mics being a perfectionist with the real gear.

[@kruno_peric]

@BrandonEllisGtr wow, thanks for the reply! Very interesting!

[@kruno_peric]

@BrandonEllisGtr have u ever considered using the Ox Box? It's a really good speaker emulator/load box

[@russianskunk7892]

Hi Brandon. I love your playing.