Most Precious Blood
Encyclopedia
Most Precious Blood is a metalcore
band from New York City
, formed from the ashes of the band Indecision. They blend the song structures of hardcore with heavy metal, and the band cites Sick of it All
, Aphex Twin
, The Sisters Of Mercy
, and The Obsessed
as influences, among others. They were signed to Trustkill Records
until it dissolved in 2010. They are now with Trustkill president Josh Grabelle's new label Bullet Tooth.
The band and its members advocate straight edge
, vegetarianism
and veganism
, and they are all animal rights
supporters. However, they deny being preachy in any way, saying "I'm not going around trying to change people because people are going to change when they want to... if I said something that you found truth in, or that you found made sense, cool - I'm glad I was a catalyst to help you come to your own conclusions".
Nothing In Vain was recorded in a 9' x 15' one room studio in an abandoned building near Sailors Snug Harbor
, Staten Island. The building was once an old age home for sick and dying wayward sailors and is rumored to be haunted. There were odd noises that ended up on the master tapes that the band never recalled hearing during the recording. The album was engineered/produced by long-time Indecision producer Ron Thal who would later go on to play guitar for Guns N' Roses
.
Original Indecision drummer Pat Flynn played drums on Nothing In Vain but left the group immediately following the completion of the record. Flynn walked out of the studio once he finished his drums tracks; the cymbals still sizzling.
The band then recruited Sean McCann. He would stay with the group for several years and would play on 2003's Our Lady of Annihilation. McCann then left the band in the middle of the night before the band was set to fly to Arizona for a gig. When the band woke up and McCann was nowhere to be found; only a Dear John letter
was left behind underneath the wiper blade of the band's van parked outside. The band still boarded the plane and flew down to Arizona without a drummer. The band hooked up with the drummer from Where Eagles Dare, a hardcore punk outfit from Arizona
, and used their drummer for the show, teaching him the songs the night before the gig.
In 2003, after Sheehan departed the band to return to school, the band teamed up with former One King Down
vocalist Rob Fusco, added Atlanta's Matt Miller
on bass and moved Rosen to second guitar for their second album Our Lady of Annihilation. Surprise hits "The Great Red Shift" and "Your Picture Hung Itself" launched the bands profile. The Album also features a guest appearance from Sick Of It All
's Lou Koller.
MPB contributed a cover of "Sweet Child Of Mine" to "Bring You to Your Knees: a Tribute to Guns N' Roses
", a cover of "Rise Above" to "Black on Black: A Tribute to Black Flag
", and a cover of "Alone" to "Our Impact Will Be Felt: a Tribute to Sick of It All
" with Paul Klein (A Lifeless Alliance, Gotham Road
, The Banner
) filling on on drums.
MPB was the first American Hardcore band to tour South Africa
. They've also been to 50+ countries, including most of Europe
, as well as Brazil
, Australia
, New Zealand
, and all over the U.S., Canada
, and Puerto Rico
.
Rachel Rosen and Justin Brannan appeared in minor roles in Threat
, an independent film
produced in the NYHC
scene.
MPB has had 13 drummers over the history of the band. Sean McCann (2001-2003) and Colin Kercz (2004-Present) are the longest serving.
The band has been quoted as saying they were interested in "bowing out of the mass appeal madness" that has struck the hardcore scene and wants nothing to do with the "glossy culture" anymore. The band has been finished with their fourth album, Do Not Resuscitate, for some time. Do Not Resuscitate released February 1, 2011 on Bullet Tooth, formerly Trustkill Records
.
Cover art for the first three albums was done by Justin Borucki
Metalcore
Metalcore is a subgenre of heavy metal combining various elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. The name is a portmanteau of the names of the two genres. The term took on its current meaning in the mid-1990s, describing bands such as Earth Crisis, Deadguy and Integrity...
band from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, formed from the ashes of the band Indecision. They blend the song structures of hardcore with heavy metal, and the band cites Sick of it All
Sick of It All
Sick of It All is an American hardcore punk band from Queens, New York. Formed in 1986, the band consisted of brothers Lou Koller on vocals and Pete Koller on lead guitar, Rich Cipriano on bass, and Armand Majidi on drums. There have been only two member changes since their inception, with Max...
, Aphex Twin
Aphex Twin
Richard David James , best known under the pseudonym Aphex Twin, is an Irish-born electronic musician and composer described as "the most inventive and influential figure in contemporary electronic music"...
, The Sisters Of Mercy
The Sisters of Mercy
The Sisters of Mercy are an English rock band that formed in 1980. After achieving early underground fame in UK, the band had their commercial breakthrough in mid-1980s and sustained it until the early 1990s, when they stopped releasing new recorded output in protest against their record company...
, and The Obsessed
The Obsessed
The Obsessed is a doom metal band from Maryland led by Scott "Wino" Weinrich, who also fronted Saint Vitus, Spirit Caravan, Place of Skulls, The Hidden Hand and W.I.N.O.. Formed in 1976, they first split up in 1986 when Wino Saint Vitus, but reformed four years later...
as influences, among others. They were signed to Trustkill Records
Trustkill Records
Trustkill Records was an American record label that started as a hardcore punk fanzine in April 1993. It started releasing hardcore, metal and rock records and merchandise in 1994...
until it dissolved in 2010. They are now with Trustkill president Josh Grabelle's new label Bullet Tooth.
The band and its members advocate straight edge
Straight edge
Straight edge is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs. It was a direct reaction to the sexual revolution, hedonism, and excess associated with punk rock. For some, this extends to not engaging in promiscuous sex, following a...
, vegetarianism
Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism encompasses the practice of following plant-based diets , with or without the inclusion of dairy products or eggs, and with the exclusion of meat...
and veganism
Veganism
Veganism is the practice of eliminating the use of animal products. Ethical vegans reject the commodity status of animals and the use of animal products for any purpose, while dietary vegans or strict vegetarians eliminate them from their diet only...
, and they are all animal rights
Animal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
supporters. However, they deny being preachy in any way, saying "I'm not going around trying to change people because people are going to change when they want to... if I said something that you found truth in, or that you found made sense, cool - I'm glad I was a catalyst to help you come to your own conclusions".
History
Originally, the band featured former Indecision guitarists Justin Brannan and Rachel Rosen, as well as on-again off-again Indecision vocalist, Tom Sheehan. On their debut full-length for Trustkill Records, Nothing In Vain (2001), Brannan played guitar, Rosen played bass, and Sheehan did vocals.Nothing In Vain was recorded in a 9' x 15' one room studio in an abandoned building near Sailors Snug Harbor
Sailors Snug Harbor
Sailors' Snug Harbor, also known as Sailors Snug Harbor or Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden or referenced informally as Snug Harbor, is a collection of architecturally significant 19th century buildings set in a park located along the Kill Van Kull on the north shore of Staten...
, Staten Island. The building was once an old age home for sick and dying wayward sailors and is rumored to be haunted. There were odd noises that ended up on the master tapes that the band never recalled hearing during the recording. The album was engineered/produced by long-time Indecision producer Ron Thal who would later go on to play guitar for Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
.
Original Indecision drummer Pat Flynn played drums on Nothing In Vain but left the group immediately following the completion of the record. Flynn walked out of the studio once he finished his drums tracks; the cymbals still sizzling.
The band then recruited Sean McCann. He would stay with the group for several years and would play on 2003's Our Lady of Annihilation. McCann then left the band in the middle of the night before the band was set to fly to Arizona for a gig. When the band woke up and McCann was nowhere to be found; only a Dear John letter
Dear John letter
A "Dear John letter" is a letter written to a husband or boyfriend by his wife or girlfriend to inform him their relationship is over, usually because the author has found another lover. Dear John Letters are often written out of an inability or unwillingness to inform the person face to face...
was left behind underneath the wiper blade of the band's van parked outside. The band still boarded the plane and flew down to Arizona without a drummer. The band hooked up with the drummer from Where Eagles Dare, a hardcore punk outfit from Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, and used their drummer for the show, teaching him the songs the night before the gig.
In 2003, after Sheehan departed the band to return to school, the band teamed up with former One King Down
One King Down
One King Down was a straight edge hardcore band from Albany, New York that recorded and performed from 1994 until 2002.-Background:One King Down was an Albany, New York-based metallic hardcore band that played crunchy, danceable metal-influenced music by such scene contemporaries as Snapcase and...
vocalist Rob Fusco, added Atlanta's Matt Miller
Matt Miller (musician)
Matt Miller is a native of El Paso, Texas and the bassist for the Post-hardcore band, Sparta. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California.-Sparta:...
on bass and moved Rosen to second guitar for their second album Our Lady of Annihilation. Surprise hits "The Great Red Shift" and "Your Picture Hung Itself" launched the bands profile. The Album also features a guest appearance from Sick Of It All
Sick of It All
Sick of It All is an American hardcore punk band from Queens, New York. Formed in 1986, the band consisted of brothers Lou Koller on vocals and Pete Koller on lead guitar, Rich Cipriano on bass, and Armand Majidi on drums. There have been only two member changes since their inception, with Max...
's Lou Koller.
MPB contributed a cover of "Sweet Child Of Mine" to "Bring You to Your Knees: a Tribute to Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
", a cover of "Rise Above" to "Black on Black: A Tribute to Black Flag
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
", and a cover of "Alone" to "Our Impact Will Be Felt: a Tribute to Sick of It All
Sick of It All
Sick of It All is an American hardcore punk band from Queens, New York. Formed in 1986, the band consisted of brothers Lou Koller on vocals and Pete Koller on lead guitar, Rich Cipriano on bass, and Armand Majidi on drums. There have been only two member changes since their inception, with Max...
" with Paul Klein (A Lifeless Alliance, Gotham Road
Gotham Road
Gotham Road is a band formed after the demise of the band Graves by Michale Graves, Loki, JV Bastard and Paul Lifeless.-Formation:...
, The Banner
The Banner (band)
The Banner is a hardcore punk and metalcore band from Bloomfield, New Jersey with influences that range from late '80s hardcore, punk rock, heavy metal and NYHC-style metalcore....
) filling on on drums.
MPB was the first American Hardcore band to tour South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. They've also been to 50+ countries, including most of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, as well as Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, and all over the U.S., Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
.
Rachel Rosen and Justin Brannan appeared in minor roles in Threat
Threat (film)
Threat is an award-winning independent film about a straightedge "hardcore kid" and a hip hop revolutionary whose friendship is doomed by the intolerance of their respective street tribes...
, an independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
produced in the NYHC
New York hardcore
New York hardcore refers to hardcore punk and metalcore music created in New York City and to the subculture associated with that music. New York hardcore grew out of the hardcore scene established in Washington, D.C., by bands such as Bad Brains and Minor Threat. Hardcore '81 is an album by the...
scene.
MPB has had 13 drummers over the history of the band. Sean McCann (2001-2003) and Colin Kercz (2004-Present) are the longest serving.
Recent activity
The band has denied rumors of a break-up, claiming they've just been taking time off to relax and write a new album, after a 2+-year non-stop global touring schedule.The band has been quoted as saying they were interested in "bowing out of the mass appeal madness" that has struck the hardcore scene and wants nothing to do with the "glossy culture" anymore. The band has been finished with their fourth album, Do Not Resuscitate, for some time. Do Not Resuscitate released February 1, 2011 on Bullet Tooth, formerly Trustkill Records
Trustkill Records
Trustkill Records was an American record label that started as a hardcore punk fanzine in April 1993. It started releasing hardcore, metal and rock records and merchandise in 1994...
.
Current members
- Justin Brannan — guitar
- Rachel Rosen — guitar, vocals
- Rob Fusco — vocals
- Matt Miller — bass guitar
- Colin Kercz — drums
Discography
- Nothing In Vain (2001)
- Our Lady of Annihilation (2003)
- Merciless (2005)
- Do Not Resuscitate (2011)
Cover art for the first three albums was done by Justin Borucki
External links
- The band's official site
- Bullet Tooth
- The band's official biography
- Most Precious Blood on Trustkill
- Interview with Justin Brannan, a month before their tour of South Africa
- Most Precious Blood on PureVolume
- Most Precious Blood on MySpace
- Most Precious Blood Interview UKEvents.net
- interview with Justin about veganism on tour in Satya Magazine*
- Stereokiller.com review for Do Not Resuscitate