Hardcore music has always been rather metallic in sound. MPB bring out elements of classic NYHC but interject a lot more heaviness, and also a new found melodic streak that really does a lot to emphasis the choruses on certain songs. Chugging riffs are quite common for this band but they aren't necessarily the typical ones we've all heard before. They have a unique slant and really offer more then one note and a crappy lead guitar ending. You'll also find a few faster songs where the band really shows off where they come from. I like the faster songs, but it's the slower, heavier songs with the melodic choruses that really help the band show off their originality. One of the biggest surprises comes in the form of Funeral Photography which shows off a doom influenced. The opening riff minus the vocals actually reminds me of the band Grief. The vocals are pure MPB though. It's a song that really makes you realize how varied this album really is. Each track makes sense alone or in the context of the album. This is an album that has absolutely no filler. MPB have proven that they can come back with a new singer and not even lose a step along the way. This is above and beyond what they have done in the past and is an album that every hardcore fan needs to hear.

This record is nothing short of incredible. MPB comes out with new singer Rob Fusco and rips it right off the bat with "The Great Red Shift," and what will most likely be one of those breakdowns that will rank up there with "Clobberin' Time," Crucified," and "Firestorm." Yes I am a very big Tom Sheehan fan, but those days are over and Rob is now the frontman, and one couldn't have asked for a better person to take over vocal duties for MPB. His fury and emotion are well demonstrated throughout the entire release, especially on the very metal "Funeral Photography" and my favorite track "Why Hyenas Laugh," which will have you breaking everything you ever cared about in your house. If you've heard MPB before you should know what to expect from this release. Killer breakdowns, incredible lyrics, and some of the funniest shit you'll ever hear as the bonus tracks at the end of the CD. The melodic chorus parts on songs like "Your Picture Hung Itself" initially took me by surprise, but after a couple of listens it grew on me, and I realize they're there cause it sounds good and not cause it's the trend. Production of the CD is great and obviously the songs are incredible live (if you haven't seen them, you suck). This is an amazing sophomore record for Most Precious Blood. In short, get this fucking record now.

Most Precious Blood still remains one of the most traditional sounding hardcore bands out there. While other bands continue to inject metal into their sound or their lyrics, Most Precious Blood still retain the sound they started with. They recently added new vocalist, Rob Fusco (formerly of One King Down), but they maintain that sound reminiscent of Sick Of It All, the Cro-Mags and Raw Deal. The new album is packed full of power chords and a serious dislike for religion and other staples of common life. By far, this is the most powerful Most Precious Blood album to date. These guys (and girl) are sort of the "missing link" between old and new school, and have managed to be by incorporating both. I can't think of a more reliable standard of measurement for true "New York Hardcore".

Anticipation of this release seems to have weaned since MPB announced the departure of their old vocalist. Everyone here at LCF wondered how they could pull off a new singer when the guitars are specifically written for [the old guy]'s high scream. I decided not to look forward to this record because I thought I would be let down. As the old Most Precious Blood this only hits as mediocre; as a totally different band; I really like it. I can't seem to stop thinking about what the record would have been with [the old guy], but I don't think anyone could have been a better replacement than former One King Down singer Rob Fusco. With Rob, MPB joins the stream of bands doing the same sing/scream thing, granted it actually fits, and it's not emo, but I thought MPB would never adhere to that trend. Despite the above, this CD still delivers, but in a different way than expected.

From the outset, you can tell that Most Precious Blood have progressed from their 2001 debut. "The Great Red Shift" has them quickly pounding away hardcore in typical fashion. "Collusionist" and "Growing Square Eyes" are frantic blasts of drums and guitars with some breakdown moments, while "Quiet Pattern" and "Your Picture Hung Itself" features some well-used melodic and clean vocal choruses. The slow moving dirge of "Funeral Photography" soon builds up some steam to add a distinctively different touch midway through the album, while vocalist Lou Koller from Sick Of It All guests on the stunning "It Runs In The Blood". Most Precious Blood has given us another classic metalcore as only a band from New York can.

Most Precious Blood is a band I've been hearing a lot about for quite a while now. However, I haven't really payed attention because frankly, I heard their first cd and didn't like it that much. However, when I heard that Rob Fusco from legendary hardcore band One King Down had joined the band as vocalist, I decided to give them another listen. At first, the record didn't connect with me. The last few weeks of my life have been extremely hectic and I wasn't able to give this band my undivided attention. Well, after finally sitting down, relaxing, and playing this cd numerous times, I'm really digging "Our Lady of Annihilation", the group's latest and greatest offering yet. The songs contained herein are short, extreme, and to the point. This, my friends, is hardcore of the truest and heaviest nature possible. Where many bands incorporate metal influences into their sound, I don't hear a lot of that on "Our Lady of Annihilation". This band throws down an eclectic mix of straight-up hardcore ferocity but keeps it accessible enough for pretty much anyone to get into. It sounds like this band has finally come into their own as a unit and as musicians, with the intensity of tracks like "The Great Red Shift" and "It Runs In the Blood" coming together with emotionally melodic tracks like "Your Picture Hung Itself" with ease. I don't want to single one band member out in this review and say something like "The drumming is killer" or "Guitars are great here!" That's ok for certain bands but not this one. Each member of this group plays their heart out and that's what makes this album great. Most Precious Blood has released one solid hardcore release that is deserving of your time and energy. What Earth Crisis was in the 90's, this band is their millenial equivalent. Great job indeed.

Most Precious Blood is a band I've been hearing a lot about for quite a while now. However, I haven't really payed attention because frankly, I heard their first cd and didn't like it that much. However, when I heard that Rob Fusco from legendary hardcore band One King Down had joined the band as vocalist, I decided to give them another listen. At first, the record didn't connect with me. The last few weeks of my life have been extremely hectic and I wasn't able to give this band my undivided attention. Well, after finally sitting down, relaxing, and playing this cd numerous times, I'm really digging "Our Lady of Annihilation", the group's latest and greatest offering yet. The songs contained herein are short, extreme, and to the point. This, my friends, is hardcore of the truest and heaviest nature possible. Where many bands incorporate metal influences into their sound, I don't hear a lot of that on "Our Lady of Annihilation". This band throws down an eclectic mix of straight-up hardcore ferocity but keeps it accessible enough for pretty much anyone to get into. It sounds like this band has finally come into their own as a unit and as musicians, with the intensity of tracks like "The Great Red Shift" and "It Runs In the Blood" coming together with emotionally melodic tracks like "Your Picture Hung Itself" with ease. I don't want to single one band member out in this review and say something like "The drumming is killer" or "Guitars are great here!" That's ok for certain bands but not this one. Each member of this group plays their heart out and that's what makes this album great. Most Precious Blood has released one solid hardcore release that is deserving of your time and energy. What Earth Crisis was in the 90's, this band is their millenial equivalent. Great job indeed. Final Score: 8/10

If you think Most Precious Blood is just the sequel to Indecision... well, you'd be right. Except unlike most sequels, Most Precious Blood outshine their former incarnation in every way, especially in terms of maturity. These guys (now featuring new vocalist Rob Fusco) have played and been actively involved in hardcore for so long now that every breakdown and chug just sounds natural . Effortlessly crushing, if you will. From a doomy noisefest into a swaggering waltz ("Funeral Photography"), a supercharger into a slow grinder ("It Runs in the Blood"), a punker into a melodic singalong ("Your Picture Hung Itself"), it's as if Most Precious Blood wrote the damn handbook on how to kick metalcore ass. And taking into account their hands-on ethic (DIY silk screening of shirts, passing out social awareness pamphlets at shows, supporting PETA through promotional campaigns, and � in the case of guitarist/backup vocalist Rachel � championing female involvement in the male-dominated genre) and above-average intelligence (great lyrics, literate mindset, not to mention a medical examiner within their ranks), there is no doubt that Most Precious Blood are the only NYHC band (apart from Sick Of It All, of course) that matter. This is what hardcore is all about and what the rest of the genre should be about.

Despite the whining and skepticism that came from fans when hearing that Rob from Onekingdown joined MPB, he more than proves he's capable of fronting Gotham City's finest. On MPB's second release, the band spans several trademarks of hardcore without lingering in any one place too long, making certain moments that much sweeter. When a breakdown hits, it's like a punch in the face because the CD doesn't rely on breakdowns for its muscle. Or, when the vocals are clean and melodic, they hit you harder because they're sparse and carefully placed within songs. Unlike the legions of hardcore bands coming out of the woodwork these days, every song on this CD is diverse and unique from the song that precedes it. Carefully dodging the pitfalls that have cursed so many bands out there these days, MPB have provided one of the most well rounded hardcore outings of the year.

On this second full-length, former One King Down cheerleader Rob Fusco's snarling yelps seem to suit the renewed metallic churn of Justin Brannan's song writing. Fusco's emotional range lends a starkly different poignancy to every lyric and it works. Conceptually, Our Lady is a bitter monologue of cathartic slate-cleaning fused onto the band's trademark style of NYHC with occasional ponderous goth-rock interludes. As ever, MPB demonstrate balls, brains and heart via a record that will set off a room without dumbing it down, a feat few other hardcore bands of this ilk can claim.

Solid NYC Hardcore: This is not for hardcore dabblers; its frenetic, full of energy, brutal and sincere. This is for getting in the pit and doing some damage. Our Lady... sounds like it was written so that it would have the greatest effect when see live. Where else would these plentiful breakdowns be as useful? Certainly not while driving, trust me. This album has some of the thickest, most bass heavy guitar sound thats come out for quite a while. Our Lady... will definitely get your blood pumping.

Indecision - arguably one of the most essential hardcore bands in the late 90's, until their demise in 2001 shortly after their final effort 'Release The Cure'. As one door closed however, another opened in the form of Most Precious Blood, boasting ex Indecision members along with new blood, and soon released their 1st album entitled 'Nothing In Vain' on Trustkill. A few years on, and its time to dismember the 'Indecision' tags and let MPB stand out on its own. 'Our Lady In Annihilation' - their 2nd TK release - does more than enough to solidify this band in their own right. Whilst there continues to be the buzzing Indecision style riffs that made 'Nothing In Vain' a big hit, there is now a lot more to the writing of the band; more underlying metal crunch, more passion, more rawness and more energy are pushed into every song here. Whilst the riffs do provide the mentioned attributes, I can't help but feel that a lot of the added elements are to do with the arrival of Rob Fusco on vocals. The former One King Down singer ferociously spits every lyric he sings over this NYHC influenced soundtrack, proving why I loved his voice in the past and why I'm happy that he's back and evidently better than ever. Whilst I'm not very keen on his clean singing moments, Robs scream is well defined and original, and for me remains one of those voices that you can hear anywhere and instantly know who it is. The songs on offer here are short but well structured, angry and raw, combining anything from early Madball and Sick Of It All to modern day mosh that the likes of Terror do so well. With a guest vocal appearance from SOIA's Lou Koller, and you have one of the best TK releases in recent years.

I really like seeing former One King Down singer Rob Fusco returning with another band. I have always liked what he did with OKD, and I definitely like what he's doing with Most Precious Blood. Tom Sheehan left MPB after the debut "Nothing in Vain". That record made quite a few spins, but this new release is just too cool to compare it to the first album. It's tough guy hardcore on the one hand, but has this exciting edge which makes it a much more serious force to reckon with. It has speed, sing-a-longs, breakdowns and total metal mosh parts. I do think this band likes Unbroken a lot, since this could have easily be how that band would have sounded if they put out a record this year with the influences of today.

Most Precious Blood. When people hear this band, many think of legendary hardcore heroes, Indecision. Yes, MPB have ex-Indecision members. But more importantly, they recently acquired former One King Down vocalist Rob Fusco. The addition of Fusco to the band seems to have reinvigorated the hardcore spirit within all the members of Most Precious Blood. However, while Our Lady of Annihilation is much better than Nothing in Vain, their previous album, it falls a little short. First off, Our Lady of Annihilation is completely and utterly pissed off - Fusco had a lot to get off his chest on this album. The main theme that is addressed is people who take religion to extreme fundamental levels. In particular, Fusco wonders “what would you die for?” and he spits out these condemning lyrics with absolute venom. Fusco adds so much to this group that it lacked before as the vocals are one of the highlights of this album. Breakdowns are meaty and abound throughout the disc. One that sticks out is the spoken word part on “Collusionist” right before the song completely explodes; it’s the type of song that really gets the dance floor moving. While overall the disc is a pretty impressive effort, it does lose some marks. Most Precious Blood on Our Lady of Annihilation are really reminiscent of the Hope Conspiracy, the metallic-sounding guitars and even the vocals to an extent are very similar. And since the Hope Conspiracy are an amazing band, Most Precious Blood simply can’t measure up. While Our Lady of Annihilation is a commendable piece of work, it is just not something that warrants many future listens. However, if you consider yourself a fan of fast, heavy, energetic hardcore, then pick this up. It will at least be entertaining for a while.

So MPB come back with their second record, this time with new singer Rob Fusco (ex OneKingDown) who replaces Tom Sheenan (who went onto continue his medical career). But you're not interested in that are you, you want the dirt on this record. Well, MPB are in some ways as strong as Rob is, much more of a front man than Tom was. However, on this record the music seems to fall short, same with the catchy hooks from "Nothing in Vain". But there are some good cuts here like track #3, "Quiet Pattern", and track #5 "Your Picture Hung Itself". And as choruses go, track 10 "Why Hyenas Laugh" is by far the best sing along on here. But the best musically speaking track has got to be track #11, "Closure", very fitting. The music just has some of the best riffs on it. Ok but now down to the slim here. The best part of this record, (and this is kinda sad) is the hidden track on here in which you get to hear Most Precious Blood talking about farts, being scared to eat outside, being broken down on the side of the NJ Turnpike, and bad country music. I just hope they put more time in on the next one as MPB are such a great live band.

The Indecision/Most Precious Blood legacy continues with the Brooklyn hardcore thugs' newest, a much improved version of their debut under the MPB banner. Opening with "The Great Red Shift," the band makes an impact like a 700-pound rhino running head on into an F-350. If you can buy into that description, you'll love the heavy, thick sound of Our Lady Annihilation, the band's heaviest since Indecision's Release the Cure. There is, however, a nu-metal influence as that pitiful genre makes its way further and further into the hardcore movement. Other than that, this stands as a serviceable enough hardcore album, if not particularly captivating compared to their earlier days. Still, it's a move in the right direction, a good album that doesn't sound like they are trying to redo their impressive past. My final complaint is the CD's close, 88 tracks of the band's conversation while while in the tour van (that's what I am guessing it is anyway.) Fart jokes are funny and all, but when it's longer than the musical part of the album, they lose their charm quickly.

Alongside their fellow Brooklynites Inhuman, Most Precious Blood are reinventing NYHC in darker, more dramatic shades. "Our Lady Of Annihilation" takes the aggression of the Cro Mags, the muscular riffing of Leeway, and the speed and energy of Sick Of It All, whose very own Lou Koller even provides guest vocals on 'It Runs In The Blood'. Then it throws in a few tricksy rhythms, the occasional melodic vocal for the nu-metal kids, and some deeply profound, heartfelt lyrics for those who savour some brains with their brawn, and whips it all up into a frenzied mosh pit fodder. Just when you thought metalcore had been wrung of its last drop of life-blood, you get hit in the face with the particularly portent gushing geyser that revitalizes your interest and belief in the validity and relevance of it all. Most Precious Blood are as stimulating intellectually as they are musically, but they're also as heavy as shit, so when you get fed up of thinking, you can always go elbow your best friend in the head.

Though Indecision is a sorely missed entity in the current hardcore scene, the bulk of it's members and their current project, Most Precious Blood, can at times be so gripping that it almost makes you completely forget about the former and the legacy that it left on genre. Their latest album and first with Rob Fusco (previously of One King Down), 'Our Lady of Annihilation' is a testament to how well a crossover of hardcore and metal can work if given the right kind of lovin'. What Fusco brings to the table is the first major change in Most Precious Blood from their quite stunning 'Nothing In Vain' album. Original vocalist Tom Sheehan was excellent. No one can dispute that. But, Fusco adds a whole new dimension to the band's sound and mood. With a confident and even charismatic performance, his growls and surprising ventures into melodic singing are so good that he would probably overshadow 90% of the other hardcore bands going around if he fronted them. However, the amount of talent backing him allows for a healthy balance of first-rate vocal delivery and talented musicianship, with the addition of some striking breakdowns and gang vocals to put the icing on the cake. The other notable difference is the amount of metal that they've thrown in. 'Nothing In Vain' saw an emphasis on an old-school-ish direction, but 'Our Lady of Annihilation' would probably be in the same area musically as Hatebreed's 'Persereverance'; albeit a little more 'core overall. The riffing stands out almost as much as the vocals, particularly the brutal chugging riffs in 'Funeral Photography', 'Life During Wartime' and album highlight 'Your Picture Hung Itself'. In contrast to Hatebreed though, much of the songs are written in a reasonably technical way, which if anything is a sign of accomplished musicians doing their thing, as opposed to an indulgent attempt at trying to sound complex, because they are in fact totally convincing. I mentioned before the legacy that Indecision left, and while that shouldn't be forgotten, it's members have moved on, and what they're doing now is amazing. Most Precious Blood might not ever match it with it's "father" of sorts in terms of the influence it has on others, but judging by what's been released so far, it might end up eclipsing Indecision on a purely musical basis. Essential listening.

Hey, a metalcore I can listen to! Imagine old school NYHC vocals over driven metal that has some industrial influence. Okay, that's easy to imagine because that describes every other metalcore band, but these guys make it work well. Recommended for all you zany Hatebreed fans.

Boy does this album take me back. Yes, I was one of those "hardcore" kids back in the day. I wasn't full on, X'ed up, always in hoodies and listening to Chain Of Strength... but nonetheless, I ran in those circles. I don't look back at that time with any shame, just a different kind of passion for music. Our Lady Of Annihilation is bringing those memories flooding back. Most Precious Blood (MPB) could be lumped into that tough guy hardcore scene, but that would be too easy. They blend that unrelenting chug with melodies as thick as the distortion. It's all fodder for crowd sing-along... you can picture the live show scene in your head when this album spins. Kids teaming with pent up aggression climbing over each other's sweating bodies to get to the mic. I've seen it; you've probably seen it too. The thing is, even though I know most of the possi-core scene can come off as cheesy, I still eat it up. It always brings a smile to my face. I could see some crappy straight edge band in an even crappier basement, but if the kids are having fun, and living that "hardcore brotherhood", it always makes me feel good. Luckily, when you get this album, you're not listening to some crappy hardcore band... you are getting the real deal. NYHC at its finest. It's full of power, rage, riffs, and the knowing smile. MPB is now fronted by One King Down front man Rob Fusco, who upped the energy from that bands debut. It all adds up to 11 furious tracks. Take it or leave it. ...Well, then you still have 88 tracks to sift through. You'll have to hear it to understand... track 49 might be the greatest/saddest conversation I've ever heard.

Choosing as a cover the depiction of the Virgin Mary rigged up with explosives and cast as a suicide bomber was never going to make it incredibly easy to get your album released. But Brooklyn based hardcore terror squad Most Precious Blood have carved themselves a reputation for never taking the easy route though their musical careers. One listen to "Our Lady of Annihilation" and you understand exactly why this band fought and fought (and fought) to get the album released as is; the opening number "The Great Red Shift" detonates with toxic intensity and the rest of the album burns in the ashes of indignant rage. New vocalist Rob Fusco - formerly a member of One King Down - preaches a gospel full of vitriol and bile, his words spat so strongly that they physically shake you. This is their direction response to the insipid modern religious hypocrisies and the damage it has done to their lives, families and their beloved Gotham City. It is heavy music from heavy hearts that may not believe in God, but most certainly believe in each other. Or as Rob and Lou Koller (Sick Of It All) scream on the track "It Runs In The Blood" we could say "every scar has a story, no guts, no glory".

Most Precious Blood formed after the breakup of Indecision, and with a number of the same members, continued to forcefully assault listeners with a unique take on relentless New York Hardcore. On their follow-up album to 2001's "Nothing In Vain," Most Precious Blood features vocalist Rob Fusco of One King Down fame, but none of their ferocity was lost in the transition. "Our Lady Of Annihilation" attacks with a barrage of slicing guitar riffs, massive drum parts and thick, distorted bass lines, all played at their hardest. While some songs retain a traditional, hardcore approach, a few of them even infuse some melodic singing, and most of them have a raging breakdown. "Our Lady Of Annihilation" is meaty, energetic, and unforgiving. With wonderful art gracing the package, this album is an all-around necessity.

Hardcore straight outta New York baby! This shit embodies all that is good about true hardcore, (except maybe the preachy-ness...note the PETA sticker on the cover.) Tight, slow danceable metal with punk rock breakdowns, palm mutes and distortion with a crunch; the formula may seem so simple, yet it really is a breath fresh air. There are a few instances when vocalist Rob Fusco busts out a melody, (actually pretty decent ones too) but this is agressive, in your face rock, the same that has made Sick Of It All and Madball the toast of the NY hardcore scene. Most Precious Blood's style may not be something new, but when u can tell from a CD that a band will leave every crowd they play for a sweaty mass of flesh, how can you not at least be moderately impressed? Not to mention, Our Lady of Annihilation is an exceptionally composed record, full of energy and catchy chants- you can appreciate it as a music-nerd like me or as a 17 year old about ready to bust out with some floor punches. This is the type of disc I like to throw in when someone tells me how punk the A.K.A's or The Bronx are; go fix your hair and listen to Most Precious Blood.

First things first: if we're counting Indecision and Most Precious Blood as two sides of the same coin, then I have been a total dork for this band for years now. As a result, there are certain aspects of the band that I have come to recognize about them: the music is consistently enthusiastic, and does an excellent job of blending discordance and frenzied emotion with heaviness and directness, all of which comes out as being musically catchy and lyrically urgent. As a result, they have kept from becoming stale. Our Lady... is no exception, and is in keeping with the consistencies this band has created. However, there are definitely differences about Our Lady... as well, most noteworthy being the first-time performances of new vocalist Rob Fusco and drummer Sean McCann, who was in the band at the time of the release of Nothing In Vain but did not play on it. Somewhat unexpectedly, I was more thrown by a new drummer than a new vocalist, since previous drummer Pat Flynn had always infused a great deal of groove in what he played, bringing elements of latin, funk, and jazz to the table and managing to make them work underneath music that was less funk and more Unbroken. Sean McCann's drumming has a far more metal and rock-based sound, which fits after a few listens but was simply not what I was accustomed to, but I can adjust. As for new vocalist Rob Fusco, I was definitely excited to hear how he would affect the sound of the band. I was a very big fan of all of his previous work in One King Down, and his style remains in this setting as well. His vocals are definitely a change from previous vocalist Tom Sheehan, and the snarling to whispering to pure screaming is definitely a really interesting change in comparison to Sheehan, whose vocals were solid but without the range and dynamics that Fusco has to offer. Also, Fusco has a knack for coming up with lines that are really big hooks and huge sing-alongs � check out the chorus "Growing Square Eyes" and the final part of "It Runs In the Blood" for reference points. The lyrics are also slightly different in the metaphors and word choices themselves (the entire "most wretched of flypaper thoughts" verse in "It Runs In the Blood" just made go "wow" because I'd never expected it), but the messages remain the same. Lastly, the band took more chances on this record musically then ever before. The influences of Unbroken, Undertow, and Deadguy are still in the mix, but there are hints of Black Sabbath, Bauhaus, In Flames, and Sonic Youth thrown in as well, all of which is written in a way that sounds experimental without sounding deliberate. Overall, on Our Lady..., the band took the biggest leap from a previous effort yet, but the end result is definitely a successful one. Most Precious Blood have written songs that combine their trademark honesty with a lot of new ideas, and in the process, have managed to make a fine record. And, the prank call to Guitar Center is one of the funniest things I've heard in a while.

We've all been to the shows where the band starts out with an ultra-aggressive song with enough adrenaline to make anyone want to kick the closest person in the face, and when I first heard Our Lady of Annihilation I was tempted to throw Most Precious Blood in with all the other bands who are all chugs and energy, but not a lot of talent. While I'm still relatively new to liking the "tough guy" genre, I can usually pick out the bands that are good and leave the garbage behind. I mean, there are those bands that you go to their shows, but you'd never buy their album. Luckily, Most Precious Blood is one of those bands that you'd go to see, then buy their album right after first changing your soiled pants. While I haven't seen these guys live, I'm sure Most Precious Blood has an enormously destructive set. Our Lady of Annihilation certainly doesn't lack any energy or talent, and as I listen to it I can fairly clearly envision them playing. The music lends itself very well to the images of masses of sweaty kids raging toward the stage, all trying to get a piece of the microphone and scream "what would you die for" right along with vocalist Rob Fusco. Even just riding in my car with them in the CD player I find myself pounding the steering wheel along with the music and yelling right along with the band. Our Lady of Annihilation is an extremely powerful record and between the posi-core lyrics and the combined ripping ferocity of the vocals and music, the album comes across as a very sincere window into the lives of the MPB. Our Lady of Annihilation is not an album to be taken lightly. It's as tough as them come and drips with passion. My only complaint is the shortness of it. I'm always disappointed when I spend between eleven and fourteen dollars to get an album that's only twenty minutes long, however Most Precious Blood replaces quantity with quality. Every song on the album is well written and performed masterfully. When all is said and done, it's eleven fiery tracks of New York's finest hardcore and one of the toughest albums around.

If the cover of the Virgin Mary with a bundle of dynamite strapped to her chest isn't enough of a shocker for you, then I'm surely positive you'll be blown away by the uniqueness and explosive veracity Most Precious Blood unleashes on "Our Lady of Annihilation." Jolting and furious hardcore, Most Precious Blood use honest and heavy lyrics combined with vigorous guitar playing to bring "Our Lady of Annihilation" to a united hardcore front. Ripping riffs on "The Great Red Shift," Your Picture Hung Itself," and "So Typical My Heart" ignite the furious clash of vocals and instrumentals in a brilliant fundamental fashion. Full of a fuming hardcore, not this vibrant since acts Every Time I Die, MPB deliver the ultimate journey into the realm of elemental hardcore. Like an explosive time bomb, Most Precious Blood distribute the expected blast on every track with powerful precision. Twelve tunes of varying complexity, gloomy lyrics, and headbanging instruments put MPB on the carts with some of the leading hardcore acts today. Along with fellow Trustkill Records acts Bleeding Through, MPB will take lyrical definition to a whole new realm. The depth of "Why Hyenas Laugh" and "Funeral Photography" show not only superb musicianship, but intriguing intellectualism as well. A balanced and blended mix of New York City's hardcore scene, Most Precious Blood deliver the match that starts the genre's fire. "Our Lady of Annihilation" has the type of annihilating features that some hardcore bands would kill for. Outstanding tracks include: "Your Picture Hung Itself," "Funeral Photography," "Typical My Heart."

I recently saw Most Precious Blood in concert and I bought this CD. Im glad that I did. Guitarist Rachel and vocalist Rob signed it. Speaking of whom, Rob Fusco, formerly of One King Down and Forty Days Rain, replaced former vocalist Tom Sheehan sometime after 2001's "Nothing In Vain" was released. Their vocal styles are different, but I personally prefer Rob's vocal sound. I think this is because you can tell what he's saying without looking at the lyrics. This album's cover art depicting the virgin Mary with dynamite strapped around her stomach was very controversial. After meeting with R.E.D., Trustkill Records' distribution company, and refusing to change the cover art, the band was allowed to keep it as is but a sticker would be put on the shrinkwrapping at WalMsrt. Inside the CD case, along with the booklet there was a Trustkill Records insert, a petfinder.com insert, and a peta2.com insert. The album opens with the explosive first single, "The Great Red Shift". It ends with the standout lyrics Don't lie to me and say you'd die for me. What would you die for? The track entitled "Your Picture Hung Itself" has a melodic chorus that goes The more time passes by, the more I realize, you and I were just a lie. This song also demonstrates Rachel and Justin's guitar chemistry. "So Typical My Heart" features legendary Sick Of It All's Lou Koller on vocals. This song was originally recorded with Tom Sheehan on vocals for the "Your Scene Sucks" compilation on Go Kart records and then re-recorded for this re-release. The chorus contains the standout lyrics No need to cut me open, I dies of a broken heart. This album, just like "Nothing In Vain", has a total of ninety-nine tracks. There are eleven musical tracks, followed by thirty-seven tracks of four second silence. After that, there are a bunch of tracks where the band are talking and such. Some of these are rather funny. After that, there are some tracks of the bands side-project with dogs on vocals -- that's right, dogs on vocals. Four more tracks of silence and the great album is through. All in all, this is definitely one of the better releases of 2003. This is a must for any fan of Indecision or One King Down because it's much like a wonderful blend of the two. Final Rating: 8/10

From the ashes of New York's hardcore veterans Indecision, comes a second release of passionate hardcore courtesy of guitarists Rachel Rosen and Justin Brannan who laid Indecision to rest and went on to create Most Precious Blood. Those expecting something that resembles a very metallic Release the Cure will be very disappointed as Most Precious Blood sports more of an old school hardcore flavor with plenty of punk rock riffs and moshy breakdowns. Quite predictable, albeit well done. Unlike the in your face approach of Indecision, Most Precious Blood has somewhat of a conventional sound played by many bands in the modern hardcore scene. Yet it does not seem like Most Precious Blood is trying to reinvent the wheel or transcend genres. Simply, the band writes music for those to whom the hardcore scene still means something. Therefore, while those outside of the hardcore genre, i.e., metalheads, have no business listening to Our Lady of Annihilation, the album will certainly appeal to those in the scene. Even though the music showcased is not overly complex, the charisma and passion makes up tenfold for all the inefficiencies this band might have. P.S. The hidden tracks is an assemblage of sorts of the band-recorded spoofs while driving cross country or in the studio. Not very funny and at times tasteless shit, so just listen to the first eleven and then turn the baby off.

I wasn't much of a fan of One King Down with Rob on vocals, so I approached this release with some trepidation, despite being a fan of Most Precious Blood since their awesome demo and subsequent full-length. Having seen them live many times, they are a force to be reckoned with, and Our Lady Of Annihilation not only continues on that tradition, it improves on it tenfold. Heavier, just as fast and dynamic, and more forceful musically, with complementary dark and emotional lyrics, this is easily MPB's finest moment. I am not usually a fan of modern mosh hardcore, and they do not fall under such a heinous bracket, but they have some KILLER mosh parts on this record. Combine that with the usual Unbroken influence and new smattering of 108-style parts, and you have a winner. The inclusion of some singing parts make this a bit more "accessible", I suppose, which is key with Trustkill's bigtime distribution now, which ironically lead to a big to-do in regards to the controversial cover artwork. Some of the stores who were to receive this apparently would have been offended by an image of a Virgin Mary-like figure with a bomb strapped to her midsection, and the skyline of NYC in the background. No stranger to controversy, MPB stood their ground, kept the artwork, but with a sticker over it for those pussy chain stores and their sensitive customers. A PETA sticker is also included, which is pretty awesome, given the lack of politics in hardcore these days, especially among many of the consumerist, Hot Topic douchebags these guys will likely end up playing for. But hey, they do it for fun and do it for themselves and don't compromise, and I applaud that. Awesome record, awesome band.

Changing lead singers usually means the end to a band. But when you can replace your singer with Rob Fusco from One King Down fame.....your setting yourself up to go places. That is exactly the case with Most Precious Blood. With Fusco on board, and a cast of seasoned hardcore veterans....the best days of MPB are in front of us. I think the most telling difference with this band is heard on "Your Picture Hung Itself". There is an almost soothing chorus that accompanies bust a lip hardcore. But it is this melody from Rob that shows how far this band has come. The melody doesn't ruin the message, it heightens the experience. As you delve into the track you get to hear some crushing hooks from Rachel and Justin. It reminds me a bit of some old Madball material, while Fusco sputters off! Awesome track! "Life During War Time" is one of those songs that takes awhile to get going, but once it does, your running for cover. Musically I thought I was listening to old One King Down...... there is some nice riffage in the middle that will be the means to blood shed! I would be remiss if I did not mention the first track on the record: "The Great Red Shift". It reminds me of a One King Down, Most Precious Blood, and Terror hybrid. It works, licks and defiant screams. Fusco staples home the fact that he is back with a vengeance! A superior hardcore track! Indecision turned into MPB, and now Rob is the last piece to take this band to the pinnacle of their music careers. I also feel the need to mention the artwork. It is phenomenal! Mother Mary with a bomb wrapped around her waist is a fitting image for our times. Far to many people have made a big fuckin deal about this shit. Get over it! We live in a time where the church has taken it on the chin for the sexual abuse scandals. And with terrorism always a threat...I feel this image reflects the world we live in today! Props to MPB for always putting a great deal of thought into their art concepts...you guys have captured the world we live in today with your CD cover. Religion abuses the young within our shores. And religious radicals plot to destroy us off our shores. Religion could be our fall! Well done with the concept! Pit Scale: 8.5, thoughtful provoking hardcore!

One of the most influential bands in hardcore still running has to be Most Precious Blood, whose hardcore roots trace back to their days as Indecision. Over the course of both band's incarnations, they have faced many member changes and still been able to keep the same sound that their rabid following has become accustomed to. Before the recording of their latest opus "Our Lady of Annihilation," vocalist Tom Sheehan decided it was time to move on in his life, and left the band to continue his career as a forensic psychologist. As much as Sheehan brought to Most Precious Blood in the past, I don't think anyone really realized fully how much of a positive impact this would have on the band, as he was subsequently replaced by former One Kind Down vocalist Rob Fusco. Combining Fusco's energy and fire with the Most Precious Blood tradition easily moves Most Precious Blood to the head of the hardcore pack, and cements their status as one of the biggest bands in hardcore today. Just how big of an addition is Fusco to Most Precious Blood? Well, from my perspective, I've seen the band a handful of times with Sheehan on the mic, and while I thought Most Precious Blood was a solid band deserving of all the respect they received, they were kind of just there to me. Then I saw them play at the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival with Fusco for the first time, and well, why not refer to what I said way back in May to further drive home the point: "Anyway, that was my rational, and now it was time to catch NYC's finest Most Precious Blood. This is one of Mike's favorite bands, and I have seen Most Precious Blood quite a few times and I thought they were cool, but they never did a whole lot to stick out. Enter former One King Down vocalist Rob Fusco and holy shit, what a difference! This band could easily become one of my favorite hardcore bands, Rob adds THAT much to the band. This was BY FAR the most shocking performance of Metalfest, because this is a band I had actually seen quite a few times and I was just blown away" See what I mean? That is exactly the type of reaction I have seen from plenty of other hardcore fans as they witness the band with Fusco on vocals for the first time. He is a sparkplug, and instantly gives this band a face while keeping the integrity Most Precious Blood has always had by keeping their sound the same. There is nothing but fast paced, breakneck yelling toned vocals throughout, with tons of screaming blended in as well. There are also points, like on the songs "Quiet Pattern" and "Your Picture Hung Itself" where Fusco dips into some melodic singing, which to be honest, took some getting used to. I don't know, the first couple times I heard the songs I just wasn't into it, but with time, they actually became two of my favorite tracks on the album. There are also plenty of sing-a-long parts all over the album, so all you fans of the pile-on can get ready to have a grand old time with this one. The music on the album is pretty much vintage Most Precious Blood. What I like about Most Precious Blood as opposed to other hardcore bands is how they don't really rely on chorus's to bring a form of catchiness to their songs. It's pretty much straight riffage all the way through. Another hardcore cliche they escape for the most part is the traditional "chugga chugga" breakdown. The is some resemblance of one on the track "Why Hyenas Laugh," but guitarists Justin Brannan, Rachel and bassist Matt Miller seem to be above that. It's super heavy and is definitely the gasoline that lights Fusco's fire. After all the music is over, the album still lives on. Just like they did with their last release "Nothing In Vain," Most Precious Blood include about a half hour of candid conversations. Hey, if the band thing doesn't work out for them (which judging by this album, they'll never have to worry about) they could always put out comedy CD's like Tenacious D or the Jerky Boys! Some of the stuff that is said during that half hour is stuff I probably didn't want to know, but stuff that I can't help but laugh at hysterically. I would probably pay money just to hear the comedy portion of this CD! They should look into that, seriously. After the comedy comes one of the more unique songs on the album, which stars Bannon's dog Basil on vocals (growling and barking of course). The damn dog puts most death metal vocalists to shame! Kind of embarrassing actually. I know they have a name for the "group," but it totally escapes me at this point. The biggest let down of it is that the riffs on that song are probably some of the sickest on the album! It would have been nice to hear some real vocals behind it so they could play it live, though. As if the inclusion of their pet dog on the album isn't enough to show Most Precious Blood's love of animals, they take it a step further. It's not often that you see a band do something like this, and no matter what your opinion on the issue is you kind of have to applaud them for it. Included in the packaging of each copy of "Our Lady of Annihilation" you will find two business card-like cards, one of which has information about petfinder.com and the other that has information about PETA . I am not vegan or a vegetarian, but I do think it is important for bands to do what they believe in. Doing this may seem like it is a little preachy, but it It's kind of fitting that this "Our Lady of Annihilation" saw its release in late November, because you know how the old saying goes: save the best for last. It's as simple as this, "Our Lady of Annihilation" is the absolute best hardcore release of 2003, and that says a lot seeing as though both Hatebreed and Throwdown put out monster albums. All the years of hard work have lead up to this, and I have no doubts that "Our Lady of Annihilation" will become their most successful release to date. Fans of bands like Madball, Sworn Enemy and Hatebreed will dig "Our Lady of Annihilation," which is in stores now.

Forming from the ashes of two of hardcore's most intense underground entities, Indecision and One King Down comes Most Precious Blood, a Brooklyn export whose hardcore stance is very much the real deal. Seething music and scolding vocals are par for the course, but with a refrain from "Growing Square Eyes" that states, "If this is your love, save your love" in tow, the lyrical venom also carries an immense impact. Guest vocals from Sick of it All's Lou Koller on "It Runs in the Blood" give the band the all-star props it richly deserves, and the member's track records have few equals. But at the end of the day, it's songs like "Life During Wartime" and "The Great Red Shift" that fleshes the band's apocalyptic vision and outspokenness on organized religion, making Most Precious Blood's version of hardcore a throwback to the old school days when the message of defiance was just as important as the blistering riff which spins the pit out of control.

"State of the art NYHC" NYC - The home of hardcore. From a scene that produced legends such as Harley Flanagan and The Cro-Mags, Sick of it All and Biohazard, come Most Precious Blood. And I'll be damned if this isn't the finest hardcore record since Sick of It All unleashed 'Scratch The Surface'! With a sound so brutal and sonically scathing, a delivery so ferocious and uncompromising, this is a faultless slab of molten fury that just gets better and better with each repeated listen. From the moment 'The Great Red Shift' rumbles out of the speakers, there is no letup from the sheer frustration and anger that New York feels as a community post 9/11. By the time the aptly titled 'Closure' rides off into the distance you can't help but feel physically and emotionally drained. It's evident that Most Precious Blood have an axe to grind, a message to preach - make a fist and spread the word! Caustic brilliance.

To say this record was highly anticipated for me is an understatement. From the second I heard that Rob Fusco of One King Down fame was taking over for Tom, the original vocalist, I was ecstatic. One King Down was one of my favorite bands when I was just getting into hardcore and they still rank up there as one of the most pissed acts I have ever heard. I got to witness this live before I heard anything recorded and it was different to say the least. Rob just looked odd in place of the very large Tom. Anyways, now this record comes out after some controversy over the cover was possibly going to be banned because of the nature of it, if you are curious about it go to the record store. Upon the first three listens I gave this I thought it was weak, off time and just flat. Then one evening on the way home from work I put this in at a reasonable volume and it floored me. I was amazed how crystal clear the production was, how HEAVY the guitars were, basically how intense it all sounded. Most Precious Blood have created the perfect Unbroken rip off band with a modern twist. I love this band and you should as well. They are playing hardcore for the right reasons and not for profit.

Rob Fusco's tough vocals add another dimension to Most Precious Blood...whether that's a good or bad thing is up for debate, but One King Down fans like myself are certainly pleased. Fusco's vocals are more refined, and though much lower in tone, they're a lot stronger. The lyrics have improved as well...they definitely have a bit more depth than Nothing In Vain . Don't get me wrong; I loved this band before Rob fronted, but this album is proof of the fact that he was the perfect replacement. Our Lady of Annihilation is choppier, more raw, and chuggier than Nothing In Vain . There are even a handful of singing parts that are eerily good for a band like MPB. It's almost difficult to compare the band's previous release, because Fusco's vocals are so different. The instrumentation has changed up a lot as well, with chuggy, heavy, thicker guitars and more old school punk influence in the drumming. It's just as catchy as their previous release, but the album as a whole has a lot more depth and maturity. Depending on how closely you concentrate on the new material, it may or may not take awhile to grow on you. I had to listen to it about 8 or 9 times to get into it, but it's definitely growing steadily now. It's catchy as hell, if you pay close enough attention. The guitar backing for the vocals is great, and the band has definitely gotten better, though, again, the vocals may take some getting used to.

Most Precious Blood have come back with an awesome album. While the band has changed singers, which could have spelled the end for this NYHC band, he was quickly replaced by Rob Fusco of One King Down fame. Gone is the high pitched scream of Indecision's Tom Sheehan, now we have the familiar voice of Fusco. The music is brutal from the first track to the last. "The Great Red Shift" gives the listener powerful screaming with insane music. The highlight of the song being at the end when Fusco is just yelling, "What would you die for?" accompanied by heavy breakdown. For the most part, there is not a weak track on this album. If a song could be considered weak, it would "So Typical my Heart." For some odd reason, I could not get into this song. It would probably be due to the fact that when I first heard the song about a year ago, it was with Sheehan and not Fusco. But that is not to take away from the song. The pinnacle of this release would be the song "Why Hyenas Laugh" because it gives you the classic MPB sound, fast paced guitars, even faster drumming and Fusco's voice sounds flawless in the song. The end of the tune, again has a massive breakdown which makes me happy, but when you hear the line "You won't live through this" over and over again, as in the song, you can't help but feel the energy the song has. It has the classic pile up chorus line that just makes you want to see this song performed live. As is their style, after the music is done, you have many tracks of the band talking and whatnot. Some rather funny parts and some downright odd parts are spread through the rest of the tracks, going up to 99. You even get to hear a song by a band from Brooklyn who have Pitbulls, yes you heard me correct Pitbulls as their vocalists. The most controversial part of the album is the cover art. Throughout time, Indecision/MPB have had well thoughtout cover layouts for all their releases. "Our Lady of Annihilation" is no different as it has the Virgin Mary with her arms out and a bomb strapped to her stomach. It will be sad, because some people will judge the record based on the cover and not the music inside. To get the feel for MPB, you have to see them live. They are awesome recorded and equally insane live. They will be part of the Trustkill New Years Bash at Krome in New Jersey on Sunday, January 4. On the Main Stage will be Throwdown, the return of Walls of Jericho and Most Precious Blood. And on the second stage you will have 25 Ta Life and Good Clean Fun among others performing. What a way to ring in the new year.

The much-missed presence of Justin and Rachel's springboard in the hardcore scene was evident when nearly all of Indecision's fans gobbled up the hectic debut album "Nothing In Vain" by Most Precious Blood, arriving just two years after Indecision's excellent final offering-to-be "Release The Cure" (helped in no small part by their eye-opening performance at Hellfest 2001). Ironically it was at that same show that Rob Fusco unexpectedly announced One King Down's breakup. Easily one of the most memorable, intense, and poetic frontmen to ever set foot in the hardcore scene, his talent was underexposed due to his only tracked effort in the decade - the decisive "Bloodlust Revenge" release on Equal Vision. And while he left the band during the recording of their debut full-length "God Loves, Man Kills" (which did feature an impressive Jon Peters vocal and lyrical performance), Fusco was sorely missed both on and offstage. Little did I know that it would take so long for him to finally return to his old haunt of the hardcore scene in full capacity, but it did. Despite some decent releases such as the "Gravity Wins Again" EP and the split 7" with Brother's Keeper, where One King Down covered Slayer's "Spill The Blood," they were just meant to tide over the fans until a new album came, which it never did. Until now; only with Most Precious Blood as his band - a Most Precious Blood vastly different than the effective, albeit tinny debut album which they served to us two years ago. Not only has Rob Fusco's imposing character steered the band in a much darker direction conceptually, but be it or not a coincidence, the band has clearly turned to metal for many of their ideas on "Our Lady of Annihilation." Deconstruct any notions of the familiar sound that Most Precious Blood and Indecision once embodied and shared. To such a degree that their traditional sound has changed that this album could fall under a different band name and few would cross-reference it with the Most Precious Blood we have grown used to as an extension of Indecision. On this album, they have finally found the type of sound that will make waves outside the hardcore scene for once, and this can't be a bad thing for a group of veterans who were highly influential in the foundations they laid for hardcore in the nineties and whose inspiration is being heard in a large degree of bands coming out today. What was once merely a metallic undercurrent of Most Precious Blood's music has become their calling card. With drummer Sean McCann's first-time recording with the band, that he played live with since their beginnings, this album is not only punchy but pounding, a characteristic new to Most Precious Blood. The traditional heavy metal influence comes in part from the Black Sabbath overtones, such as "Funeral Photography"'s main riff being identical to "Children Of The Grave" by Sabbath, and the classic Slayer riff found in the verse of "Growing Square Eyes." Discordant guitar tones permeate each track which contribute to the ruthless approach that Most Precious Blood now take. And although Rachel and Justin still deliver their famously buzzing riffs in "Your Picture Hung Itself," much of the fluff that once dragged down the force of their songs has been removed and replaced with either more powerful, Fusco-highlited breakdowns or simply removed altogether for a concise approach not unlike The Promise, Terror, or modern day The Hope Conspiracy. Bottom Line: No one could have prepared for the greatness that Most Precious Blood dispense with "Our Lady of Annihilation." The best has indeed been saved for last in 2003 as this album could possibly be the most outstanding hardcore album to be released all year, dethroning whatever Bridge 9 or Deathwish Inc. release you thought would make it to the finish line, with no disrespect to those leading record labels. The addition of former One King Down frontman Rob Fusco has not only revitalized Most Precious Blood, it reinvented them. Rather than be completely outshined by his striking performance, the band matches him with similar frantic intensity and a potent injection of heavy metal. The cherry on top comes in the form of Sick Of It All's Lou Koller lending his legendary vocals to the second verse of "So Typical My Heart." A tremendous Dean Baltulonis production job frames the band's sound to such staggering proportions that "Our Lady of Annihilation" is bound to become a rare, modern hardcore classic.

Longtime Most Precious Blood fans may face an adjustment period with their latest album as they get used to new vocalist Lou Koller. But memories of former singer Tom Sheehan should fade after a few spins of "Our Lady of Annihilation." Mixing traditional hardcore sounds with newer styles, Most Precious Blood creates a disc that should help the band move forward and gain a wider audience. The collection should resonate with those who enjoy hardcore, but metal fans also could find a gem here. Songs like "The Great Red Shift," "Your Picture Hung Itself" and "Life During Wartime" stand out on the band's second Trustkill release. It should be noted that like the band's last album "Nothing in Vain," there are 99 tracks. Only 11 are actual songs, while the other 88 are comprised of noise and, at times, conversations. RIYL: Hatebreed, Give Up the Ghost, Poison the Well

Most Precious Blood features the two former guitarists of the legendary NYC band Indecision, and is now fronted by Rob Fusco, formerly of One King Down and Forty Days Rain. Umm, it's hardcore. Are you surprised. It's also pretty dam good. There are some twists here with Fusco trading his sandblast growl for some occasional melodic vocals, which are surprisingly good. This is one of the few times a hardcore singer has made a melodic turn that doesn't suck. Kudos to him. Musically, it's a lot of the same riffing, chugging, breakdowns, and sing-a-long choruses that defined Indecision. You know better than I do whether this is your thing or not. As for me, I like it.

Sweet fuckin' hell... this is so good... I loved their last record, but this fucker sounds like a million bucks by comparison. The recording is massive as shit! The guitars are huge and perfectly distorted with tons of density and a smooth tone that still doesn't lack texture, the bass plays a large role right in the center, the drums are rigid but well handled, and the vocals sound pissed! I might like to hear the drums get a little thicker, because at times it sort of feels like the drums and vocals are subtly leaning towards the front of the mix, but fuck it. As far as the music, this is still vicious metallic hardcore with a large dose of melody, but everything feels more powerful and immediate. The writing is stronger and more focused (though still very diverse), there's a lot of energy... this is just a great record. This also marks the recorded debut of new vocalist Rob Fusco (formerly of One King Down) with the band, and I think his style fits their music perfectly, effortlessly jumping from ripping screams to shouting, and even some tasteful singing on rare occasion. "Growing Square Eyes" is made up of straightforward chord progressions and thrashy speed with some slower early Cro-Mags sounding breaks; "Your Picture Hung Itself" is fucking totally explosive, around two-and-a-half minutes of perfect speed and slower melodic areas that definitely leave a mark, etc. "Funeral Photography" is far slower and more destructive, rockin' a sludgy sort of vibe that definitely comes as a surprise... and what's up with the bluesy riffs in parts of "Closure"!? Who would've thought? The more frantic and discordant "It Runs in the Blood" even features additional vocals by Lou Koller from Sick of it All, so... this one's a keeper. Not unlike their first record there are tons of extras at the end of the disc where the band's recording themselves talking about random shit while on tour (plus dropping a handful of quick gore grind tracks) and it's pure comedic brilliance. I can't think of one other band that can pull this stuff off and make it actually enjoyable to listen to, but god damn... these cats are fuckin' hilarious. And there's almost fucking 45 minutes of this stuff tacked on! Golden. As for the layout, that's awesome too. Everything's printed on partially matte paper (it's not glossy, but there's a little bit of a finish to it), the cover photo is great, the aesthetics are consistent, etc. Several tiny band photos are strewn throughout the booklet along with lyrics and other such information. The lyrics are personal and leave enough of an open end to not have blatantly specific "meanings" per se: "The most wretched of flypaper thoughts race across the mind as they moan like a whore. Their only love is to linger and sting and swell by feeding on the hurt they bring. You won't live through this." Awesome. If you liked their last record you'd have to be a fool not to dig this. I'm all for it. Two thumbs up. Get this, fuckers.

Most Precious Blood made quite a splash in the hardcore scene with their debut album in 2001, Nothing In Vein -- mostly because the band was pretty much 3/4 of the original Indecision, one of NYHC's most respected bands of the 1990's. It featured their original singer (who departed after Orthodox Tom Sheehan, who helped the band regain a sense of what real hardcore was supposed to be, stripped of the metalcore that Indecision was pumping out in the few years before their breakup in late 2000. There was a lot to love about Nothing In Vein -- it was original, fresh, and lived up to the hype surrounding it. Songs like "In Effigy" captured the band at their most earnest, and fans quickly labeled it the best hardcore album of the year. It's hard not to agree with that, and since that's the case, one has to wonder if a band can make another dynamite record under such pretenses. Well, Our Lady of Annihilation , the follow-up, may raise a lot of questions about the band's intentions. Most Precious Blood are slowly going the way Indecision did in their later years, mixing a lot more metal into the mix of their passionate music. One listen to the opening of "The Great Red Shift" will notice this -- and sadly, some fans may not even get past it. Sure, the hardcore elements are still all there, but there's an obvious metal influence throughout the entire album -- and even though some fans may not agree, it's a brilliant direction for Most Precious Blood to have gone in. Although the band's intention was to rid their sound of the metalcore of their previous band, it's inevitable that they would return to the sound eventually. Mixing metal elements into hardcore has helped revive a seemingly stale sound, and when done right, the results can be amazing. Our Lady of Annihilation is a perfect example of the sound being done right -- there's not too much metal, there's plenty of breakdowns, and of course, the band hasn't forgotten their roots. Songs like "Growing Square Eyes" and "Your Picture Hung Itself" show Most Precious Blood at their absolute best, mixing the right amount of elements to come up with a distinct sound sure to please those willing to hear it. Although those are arguably the album's two best songs, the rest of the album is up to par -- there isn't one bad apple on this entire record, and although the record is quite short, it leaves a long lasting impression on the listener -- every time. They've managed to make an album that doesn't sound too much like the one before it, and managed to evolve into a sound and attitude that still reeks of their original intentions. Our Lady of Annihilation is unlike any other hardcore record this year, and easily rivals Hatebreed for best of the year. Highly recommended.

The second album from this Brooklyn, N.Y. hardcore band offers a lot more than its predecessor. The disc has 99 tracks, so listeners have to keep their ears open for the band interviews near the end that allow fans to listen in on personal conversations that range in subject matter from van problems while on tour to drunken nights. With new singer Rob Fusco on board, MPB is stronger than ever. Our Lady Of Annihilation offers thought-provoking lyrics and dark melodies blended with a pure hardcore assault. Album opener The Great Red Shift starts out with an almost Ministry-like introduction, while Collusionist has Fusco speaking the lyrics that lead you to an instrumental breakdown worthy of Hatebreed. Your Picture Hung Itself, written about a past relationship, features guitarists Rachel Rosen and Justin Brannan playing catchy, driving riffs. The album's controversial cover art - featuring the Virgin Mary with sticks of dynamite and a timer strapped to her chest as she looms over the New York City skyline -- is being covered up at certain retail stores with a sticker promoting People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, a cause that the band believes in strongly. Most Precious Blood is definitely ready to detonate with Our Lady Of Annihilation.

It all started back in the year 2000 with the break-up of one pretty damn awesome hardcore band, Indecision. Tough as nails, Indecision left their mark on the hardcore world with their final album, Release the Cure. But that was not to be the end of the musical careers of guitarists Rachel Rosen and Justin Brannan. Together they started up Most Precious Blood and if you're familiar with Indecision you know what to expect to hear. This is not Indecision part two however; Most Precious Blood does have their own sound, although you can feel the Indecision vibes throughout Most Precious Blood. Most Precious Blood takes on the hardcore sound that New York and the east coast is so well known for in general. Ripping your face off and spitting it back at you between positive and/or heartfelt lyrical messages is what this is all about. Of course being the Indecision fan that I am, Most Precious Blood immediately drew my attention with their first release, Nothing in Vein. A very solid release, but not as crushing or as enjoyable as Indecision's material, but I knew all that this band needed was time to find what they were going for. Obviously involving seasoned musicians they just need to get fully situated and that's when Armageddon would arrive. With new vokillist Rob Fusco, I believe Most Precious Blood has found a line-up that will crush the masses and drive them further as a force to be reckoned with in the hardcore genre. Taking on the old-school hardcore style of vokills, Rob combines a shout; yell type of style that fits what this bands sound perfectly. Former vokillist, Tom Sheehan did the job fine on their first album with his higher pitched scream, but Rob's style is exactly what this band needed to add that extra crunch. Taking their songwriting prowess to the next level, Most Precious Blood has crafted much more memorable songs. Throwing in old school hardcore thrashtastic riffing, with in your face crunch, and the occasional melody, the band lays on the hurt from start to stop. As soon as the riff from the first song, "The Red Shift" builds up you know you're in for a treat. Maintaining a fast and upbeat pace, Our Lady of Annihilation never has time to get boring. Another huge plus about this album is the production. Everything sounds really tight, the guitars sound much thicker and crisper, the bass isn't as overbearing, the drums sound deep and the vokills sound as ferocious as ever. If you dig bands similar to Indecision, Madball, and Hatebreed and haven't checked this band out yet, do so now. Most Precious Blood is building into a hardcore force to be reckoned with.

Following the demise of Indecision, members Rachel and Justin formed Most Precious Blood to continue where their last group had left off. As things often do, this new outfit took on it's own form, with slight hints of the past, but playing a style that was distinct. Since the last album, a new vocalist has been brought in - Rob Fusco, who used to front Buffalo's One King Down. "Our Lady Of Annihilation" had some trouble getting released due to a printing company refusing to print the controversial artwork (I don't see what's so bad about it personally). But that was all squared away, a new print shop was found and here we are. Most Precious Blood play the same style of NYHC that Indecision did, but they have a darker feel to their music. The addition of Rob Fusco was great for the band - he has a really unique voice and it fits in perfectly with the sound they've laid down here. I can't think of anyone to compare these guys to because they really do sound like their own entity. The album features guest vocals from Sick of it All's Lou Kohler as well as plenty of bonus material in the form of secret tracks with lots of humorous conversations and other shit. Most Precious Blood have managed to find an empty space to call their own in a crowded hardcore scene. "Our Lady Of Annihilation" is basic, go-for-the-throat hardcore with a depressing feel to it.