Blood In, Blood Out (Axe Murder Boyz album)

Background

Brothers James and Mike Garcia formed Axe Murder Boyz in 1999, naming their group after a lyric from the Insane Clown Posse song "Bring It On". After releasing a series of locally released albums on their own label, Axe Recordings, the Garcia brothers formed Canonize Productions in 2004. The following year, Psychopathic Records held a Underground Psychos contest at the year's Gathering of the Juggalos, which resulted in contenders AMB being awarded a one-album contract deal with the label.

Recording

AMB began recording Blood In, Blood Out in 2005, and concluded production the following year. Mike E. Clark wrote much of the album's music, with other music created by Grammy Award winning producer Polar Bear, Psychopathic producer Fritz the Cat, and Joseph Bruce, who worked under the name Dr. Punch in his production credits. The entire album was produced by AMB themselves.

All tracks were recorded at Psychopathic's recording studio, the Lotus Pod in Detroit, Michigan, except for "Scream My Name", "Old Girl (All Mine)" and "Honor", which were recorded at Mike E. Clark's Funhouse Studio. "See Thru" was recorded at both studios. Joseph Utsler provided scratching, while Twiztid, Insane Clown Posse and Blaze Ya Dead Homie provided guest verses.

Reception

Blood In, Blood Out peaked at #11 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart, #22 on the Top Independent Albums chart, #199 on the Top Internet Albums chart and #199 on the Billboard 200. Allmusic's review of the album found it appealing, writing, "Packed with thumping beats, dark, ominous samples, and raps full of cartoonish violence, AMB prove they are well on their way out of the underground and into the national limelight."