No Innocent Victim  - Flesh and Blood (1999)

"Flesh and Blood" is closer to hardcore perfection than anything else these ringing ears have experienced. If you're like me, you remember their two previous albums on Rescue that, while not bad by any means, never quite managed to make the leap into greatness.   With that in mind, I was totally unprepared for their Victory debut that nearly forced me to change my underwear. Forget the east coast vs. west coast thing, because N.I.V. have smashed all those boundaries and even thrown in a dash of metal for good measure. You want the fast hardcore reminiscent of old-school Crucified? You got it. You want monster riffs that make you want to smash your head up against the wall? They're here. How about some of those gang vocal anthems where everyone can scream along? Oh yeah, we've got plenty. And, wouldn't it be great to have some utterly sick breakdowns with a distorted bass that cuts right through your skull like a buzz saw? Oh my, you won't be disappointed. Maybe even a little of that emo vibe to let you catch your breath in between the seemingly unbridled hardcore fury? Then you had better look somewhere else because it sure ain't here!
As if all that weren't enough, top it off with absolutely stellar production from the maestro of metal, Barry Poynter, and you know what to expect. Once again, the maestro has surpassed his own greatness by masterfully capturing the all the heaviness and raw power of N.I.V. into a mere 25 minute aural onslaught. I
am confident in saying that, production-wise, this is definitely the best thing to come out of Poynter's Palace to date. And, surprise, it's not on Solid State! Think it's a coincidence that Solid State suddenly jumped at the chance to sign Born Blind (with former members of N.I.V. and a sound not unlike the first N.I.V. record on Rescue)?! You make the call. I still can't get over the fact that this record has some of the simplest music I've ever heard, and yet these guys always pull it off in such a way that it stays heavy as stink without ever being stale. Few bands can perform such a feat. Without question, the highlight of this album comes in the form of massive breakdowns that lay down some of the deepest grooves known to hardcore man. The lyrics are as bold and confrontational as ever, though it's easy to see the slightly different direction taken knowing that there would be a much larger secular audience on Victory. They go far beyond the themes of straight-edge and tackle issues such as racism, the increasing hypocrisy of the hardcore scene, and the futility of fighting one another, while maintaining a decidedly Spirit-filled perspective throughout. Although I really hate to say it, it just seems so appropriate here--believe the hype! If you are into any kind of hardcore and don't already own this album, then all I can do is shake my head and leave you with a line from the final track, "I won't bust you, but my Father will!" Consider yourselves warned. -- Review by Jason


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