What makes In Name and Blood by The Murder City Devils notable?

In Name and Blood received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, helping to re-establish The Murder City Devils as a key player in the punk resurgence of the early 2000s. The album's blend of punk rock with dark themes influenced numerous contemporary bands exploring similar aesthetics. Released in 2000, In Name and Blood was The Murder City Devils' fourth studio album and marked their return after a brief hiatus. Following the underground success of their previous albums, this record solidified their position within the horror punk scene, showcasing a matured sound while retaining their signature intensity.

How many songs are on In Name and Blood?

In Name and Blood has 12 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

In Name and Blood

The Murder City Devils · 2000

37 min · 12 tracks · horror punk

Raw energy and gritty storytelling collide in a relentless barrage of punk rock anthems steeped in horror imagery.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Press Gang — The opening track sets a frenetic pace with its driving rhythm and vivid imagery, encapsulating the band's unique blend of punk energy and lyrical darkness.
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I Drink the Wine — This track stands out for its infectious chorus and introspective lyrics that explore themes of escapism, making it both catchy and thought-provoking.
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Demon Brother — With its relentless tempo and haunting narrative, this song exemplifies the band's ability to weave storytelling into high-octane punk music.
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Fields of Fire — Closing the album, this track features a powerful build-up that contrasts vulnerability with resilience, leaving listeners with a lasting emotional impact.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

52 /100

Foothills

Higher than 38% of albums we've rated

The album combines energetic punk with horror themes, showcasing strong performances but uneven cohesion.

What we noticed

The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a high energy level, which is maintained through the first half before slowing down slightly in the latter tracks.
Vocals are delivered in a raw, aggressive style that complements the gritty instrumentation, often featuring call-and-response elements between band members.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

I Drink the Wine

The moment shifts from carefree celebration to stark self-reflection as the narrator confronts the consequences of indulgence.

This juxtaposition deepens the narrative complexity, revealing layers of vulnerability beneath the seemingly lighthearted facade.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Press Gang 3:51
2 I Drink the Wine 3:14
3 Bunkhouse 3:15
4 Idle Hands 2:40
5 Rum to Whiskey 3:08
6 I'll Come Running 3:16
7 Demon Brother 2:36
8 Lemuria Rising 2:46
9 Somebody Else's Baby 2:44
10 In This Town 2:43
11 No Grave but the Sea 2:31
12 Fields of Fire 4:22

What to play next

Listen next

R.I.P.

2000

Go back to

Empty Bottles, Broken Hearts

1998

Full The Murder City Devils discography Artists like The Murder City Devils

horror punk

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata