Most Precious Blood blends the brooding textures of metalcore with lyrics shaped by the politically charged ethos of hardcore bands ranging from Crass to Fugazi, centering especially on themes of veganism and animal rights. The group originated in the early 1990s when Brooklyn hardcore outfit Indecision—whose lineup included vocalist Tom Sheehan alongside guitarists Rachel Rosen and Justin Brannan—reconfigured itself after releasing four albums, one of which was the 1996 effort Most Precious Blood, titled for a private Catholic high school in Brooklyn that competed in sports against the institution attended by Brannan and Sheehan. Indecision disbanded amid tension during a 2000 tour.
Rosen and Brannan then recruited Sheehan, who had exited Indecision two years earlier, to launch Most Precious Blood as a more exploratory, metallic project, enlisting ex-Indecision drummer Pat Flynn to complete the initial roster. Once their debut album Nothing in Vain appeared in 2001, Rosen—who had handled bass duties on that record—returned to guitar, bringing in Matt Miller on bass and swapping Flynn for Sean McCann. Following an exhaustive year of touring behind Nothing in Vain, Sheehan departed, with former One King Down frontman Rob Fusco stepping in during early 2003.
Fusco’s introductory recording with the band, the 2003 release Our Lady of Annihilation, carried a deliberately incendiary sleeve showing the Virgin Mary portrayed as a suicide bomber; the imagery postponed distribution and sparked predictable controversy. McCann’s exit triggered further shifts behind the kit until Colin Kercz arrived in time to record the 2006 album Merciless, an eclectic set incorporating symphonic metal elements drawn from European traditions.
