Search - Most Precious Blood :: Merciless

Another great album

metal to the head | 11/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album seems a bit more 'metally' and 'heavier' than their previous ones, but don't let that deter you. Rob's singing on some of the tracks is one of the main standouts, the riffs are very very catchy - really stay in your head, the lyrics in this album also seem to have progressed to be less about personal things and more about the problems of our society in a kind of symbolic wordplay kind of way. This album has a lot of aggression in it which is also great...highly recommended to anyone who likes metal-influenced hardcore or quality metalcore. oh...and read the lyrics of 'diet for a new america' - with an open mind and have a think about it"

A Really "Merciless" Record [4.5 Stars]

LeftManOut | TheCityThatNeverSleeps, FL | 11/19/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Wherever you fall in the realm of hardcore music listening, whether it be just a casual surveyor or a diehard elitist, it is most likely that you have at least stumbled across the name Most Precious Blood. And with good reason too, since these guys are one of the few acts today we seem bent on taking hardcore back to its real roots. Although the band is both straight edge and vegan, you do not have to be either to enjoy the music. In fact this is far from the preachy "my way or no way" lyrics or a band like say Earth Crisis. MPB just do what they do best; Bring the rukus.



"Merciless" is probably all around the strongest record this band has released thus far. Now of course fans are immediately going to be crying "Nothin In Vein! Nothing In Vein!" and if that is your favorite record, it's understandable. However dismissing the music the band is currently putting out because Tom is no longer the frontman is simply foolish. Most Precious Blood still embody the true spirit of NYC style hardcore; Loud, Fast and Heavy. The guitars pound out plenty of punishing rhythmns, and although the disc is not oversaturated with breakdowns (a high point) when they do make their way into the songs it feels very natural. There are some small leads and even a few moments of riffing that compliment the angry atmosphere very well. Rob sounds more adapt at roaring over the malignant violence that is the band's sound than ever before, and the larger confidence he seems to have in his voice is very apparent. The rhythmn section isn't exactly stellar, but in terms of the overall sound the band creates, they fit in just fine. As far as the song selection is concerned, any of the thirteen tracks is a keeper. "Shark Ethic" and "Mad As Match Hare" are my personal favorites (and probably the two best), but other hits like "Two Men Enter, One Man Leaves," "Damage Control Freak," and "Curse Of The Immortal" all pack vintage MPB fury. Another high point of the disc is its use of excellent samples. They're used just sparingly enough not to be overly dramatic (Killwhitneydead), yet there's plenty to fully encompass the disc. Overall there's very little to complain about here.



This is far from conventional tough-guy hardcore. Most Precious Blood have successfully created one of the most overlooked releases in all the scene, and it's a shame that they don't get more credit. Their ethics are as hardcore as it gets, and that's apparent in both their attitudes and the way they write and play their music. "Merciless" is great front to back (if not lacking a little diversity) and I'll go as far as to say it's the best record the band has put out so far. Pick this up and support the core of bands who are attempting to take Hardcore back from its emo-riddled mainstream audience of today."