Most Precious Blood

Most Precious Blood: MercilessMerciless (2005)
Trustkill Records

Reviewer Rating: 3.5

Contributed by: AubinAubin
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on September 23rd 2005Writing reviews of hardcore and metal albums seems like a constant struggle to find new and interesting ways to say "heavy," and that's probably appropriate because the albums themselves seem to be an attempt to do the same thing. Thankfully, while Most Precious Blood's Merciless can certainly be de.

Writing reviews of hardcore and metal albums seems like a constant struggle to find new and interesting ways to say "heavy," and that's probably appropriate because the albums themselves seem to be an attempt to do the same thing. Thankfully, while Most Precious Blood's Merciless can certainly be described with its share of synonyms, it can also be described as a simple, solid metal-influenced hardcore album.

Even though the band has added some light electronic touches, mostly with sampled choirs, none of it really gets in the way, and the album would easily transfer to a live setting. The record builds on much the same influences as Our Lady of Annihilation; classic hardcore with some light metallic touches. In fact, take this as a positive or a negative; there is nothing about this album which confines it to 2005. It could just as easily have come out five years ago or five years from now, because there is little to no trend-hopping, minimal melodic vocals, and no Pantera-derived breakdowns.

Rob Fusco's stellar vocals still anchor the album together, and his seething snarl is well complimented by the powerful rhythm section. The band plays with the tempos a little, from slower, groove-laden moments to gallopping double-bass bursts. "Shark Ethic," which opens the record, is laden with production touches like a singing choir layered over the thumping bass drum, but soon returns to familiar territory. These flourishes are common, like a keyboard part attached to "Two Men Enter, One Man Leaves." The opening of "Driving Angry" does include a somewhat unecessary, clean vocal part, but it is quickly abandoned and Fusco takes center stage.

Lyrically, the band also sticks to the ethos spawned by early metal/hardcore acts: Cruelty-free lifestyle messages abound and preached with the same abandon as straight-edge anthems on a Youth of Today album. One of the tracks is even titled on John Robbins' seminal vegan lifestyle book, Diet for a New America.

If there is a failing to the album, it's that later tracks spend far too much time opening and closing with unecessary vocal samples, disrupting the flow from track to track. "Curse of the Immortal" is almost a minute of vocal samples, and "Temporary Solution to a Permanent Problem" also wastes valuable time and energy on this note. This is particularly disappointing as the melancholy track is one of the strongest on the album.

Overall, Merciless is a strong album from one of Trustkill's most consistent and reliable acts. Outside of some unecessary electronic trickery and the aforementioned skits, the songs themselves are incredibly solid and versatile and give some hope to the future of metal-influenced hardcore outside of the trendiness of the current scene.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

druhol (May 27, 2006)

Haha, they sampled Sisters Of Mercy for the first song. That's pretty cool.

Anonymous (November 15, 2005)

nothing i vain is the only lp these dudes sounded good on
now its shit.

Anonymous (October 3, 2005)

Hey underground scene,
How's Rutgers, you faggot? Nice away message, "Church", you douchebag.

mikeinflames (September 27, 2005)

track 54 almost made me piss myself laughing

Anonymous (September 27, 2005)

buy the album ... pull out the j-card ... flip it over ... the original artwork is there

Anonymous (September 26, 2005)

best hardcore release of 2005.

Anonymous (September 26, 2005)

Yeah..................no. Fuck this.

stevejonestherealbones (September 26, 2005)

i had a bloody shit this morning that was more offensive than this album cover

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

- granted, a bloody shit is pretty offensive

soulbleed (September 25, 2005)

too bad most precious blood isn't metalcore, retard.

Anonymous (September 24, 2005)

fuck metalcore

Anonymous (September 24, 2005)

Can we only see a fraction of the cover? Does it fold out into something else?

To me it just looks like a guy took a nap with some ketchup on his shirt.

-Will

Russe11 (September 24, 2005)

The orriginal cover is just downright disturbing. I can fully understand why it got banned.

wehavecomeforyourchildren (September 24, 2005)

i haven't heard this yet. i really liked their last album alot at first, but i can't say i ever really listen to it anymore.

also, i'm glad that they went with this album art instead of the original. i wasn't feeling that bro at all. he looked kinda sick.

Anonymous (September 24, 2005)

Nah, Anchors, a lot of Europe, especially Germany, is still big on censorship.

-Will

ramo (September 23, 2005)

Possibly the only Trustkill band that's worth listening.

This album is growing on me. It's pretty hard to top Our Lady Of Annihilation.

I agree with Aubin. Rob has some of the best vocals in the hardcore scene today.

Ramo

Anchors (September 23, 2005)

Anyone else find it weird that there's an alternate cover for the European version, when we're the ones who would usually be up in arms over something like this?

Anonymous (September 23, 2005)

Yeah, superdude is a superdork. HA!

Anonymous (September 23, 2005)

i usually dont like to comment when someone isnt funny and stuf like that, but those superdude comments are really lame. it is almost embarrassing to read.

superdude (September 23, 2005)

Dear Most Precious Blood,

Sorry I didn't write sooner, I was lost in the Internet.

So you wrote an album while I was gone? Well, I could have used a search party, but this'll do.

I hope you arm is okay.

Anyways, enough with the present. Hey, remember high school? Man, I keep thinking of the time when we stole your brother's car and then drove waaaaaaaay over the speed limit? Danger!

If you had a convertible car it would be even more DANGER!.

Anyways, you're a new man now, and I'm a man now. Thanks for touching in.

See you at the 10 year reunion!

Superdude

Anonymous (September 23, 2005)

I prefer the queercore band "Most Precious Semen" - almost as good as Limp Wrist

aubin (September 23, 2005)

"so, did this album cover end up getting banned? or is the album not carried in major outlets? or did they put like a sticker over it or something? whats the deal"

There is an "alternate" cover for the European release. You can see that here.

As far as I can tell, the North American release is unchanged.

etwiels88 (September 23, 2005)

Because God hates you.

The lead singer is really small. I like that.

Anonymous (September 23, 2005)

if the blood is so precious, why did they let it soak into that guys shirt?

Anonymous (September 23, 2005)

so, did this album cover end up getting banned? or is the album not carried in major outlets? or did they put like a sticker over it or something? whats the deal

Anonymous (September 23, 2005)

new yoke hawd core to the max bithces.

Anonymous (September 23, 2005)

awesome album

and i don't get why the original artwork got banned

it's not that bad

Anonymous (September 23, 2005)

"How is the new Horse the Band anyway?"

more of the same, but its good. worth buying easily, especially if you are already a fan

and combat is a major? i always thought it was an indie. who is it part of? it also says kotch, is that the major? what is that apart of?

inagreendase (September 23, 2005)

thanks for not using the term "metalcore" anywhere in your review. now i can go to bed happy.

Well, this is definitely one of those cases where it's necessary to describe it as 'metal-influenced hardcore' rather than 'metalcore,' because it leans way more in the HC direction than it does the MC.

Anonymous (September 23, 2005)

Is any one else surprised by the new Cave In?

Sirens (September 23, 2005)

assholes, us americans like our hamburgers and grease on our ice cream. Aqua Teen Hunger Force... when they deep fried that cow...... brilliant.

Scores for Aqua Teen

theundergroundscene (September 23, 2005)

what if the fat old vocalist and the singer from fairweather had a baby

theundergroundscene (September 23, 2005)

i think rob is a much better vocalist than the other fatso

dude he was sooooo fat

Anonymous (September 23, 2005)

"Most Precious Blood"?.......I don't get it.
"i dont know if its just coincidence or what, but "most precious blood" is an indecision song"

MPB is Indecision with Rob Fusco from One King Down on vocals. They have 3 full length cds out.
Tom Sheehan(Indecision's original singer)was the singer on the first cd "Nothing In Vain". Rob is the singer on this cd & the one before it "Our Lady Of Annihilation"

rkl (September 23, 2005)

also,
Most Precious Blood - Merciless
Posted by SenorRefresco on 2005-09-23 02:09:54

"Most Precious Blood"?.......I don't get it.
i dont know if its just coincidence or what, but "most precious blood" is an indecision song

rkl (September 23, 2005)

aubin: thanks for not using the term "metalcore" anywhere in your review. now i can go to bed happy.

pastepunk (September 23, 2005)

Is this cool Black Flag style hardcore or lame meat-head core? Just curious....because I might give it a shot if it isnt lame.

--

Neither. Definitely not meat-head core, their songs are thoroughly intelligent and well versed. It's more developed thank Black Flag style hardcore... if we're painting w/ broad brushes, it's more common with Just Look Around Era Sick Of It All.

BrandonSideleau (September 23, 2005)

that doesnt even look real.....people give a fuss over the stupidest shit

Anonymous (September 23, 2005)

"This is the one with the "controversial" artwork right? I don't get it."

That's because the uncensored cover looked like this: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/artists/mostpreciousblood/show photo.aspx?photoID=11360

Also, this album is awesome.

BrandonSideleau (September 23, 2005)

Is this cool Black Flag style hardcore or lame meat-head core? Just curious....because I might give it a shot if it isnt lame.

Anonymous (September 23, 2005)

Horse the band is not on and indie, they are on combat, part of a major, so maybe that will help answer your question.. HORSE THE BAND ARE SELLOUTS, who the fuck cares, they rock

Anonymous (September 23, 2005)

OMG, he's cumming blood !!

SenorRefresco (September 23, 2005)

"Most Precious Blood"?.......I don't get it.

Anonymous (September 23, 2005)

How is the new Horse the Band anyway?

Oh and as for this cd.....I like the previous one, so I'll check this out.

Anonymous (September 23, 2005)

since when did indie releases have "parental advisory" logos?

i just got the new horse the band and it has it...thats not even a big indie label

gladimnotemo (September 23, 2005)

I haven't heard any of the bands in today's update, and I feel like a better person because of it.

theundergroundscene (September 23, 2005)

"driving angry" is fucking UNBELIEVEABLE

a few songs on this are awesome, some not so much

i give it a 6