Bullet Proof Messenger - Debut Album - The Crucial Line (2006)

The Crucial Line (2006)

To reset the project, Litwin introduced the potential name BulletProof Messenger, intended to be a play on the phrase "Don't shoot the messenger" and an easy to remember abbreviation (BPM).

With the new band name in place Litwin and Martin decided to self-fund their debut album The Crucial Line (an enhanced CD with video) and complete the group’s lineup at a later date. Collaborating on the production of the new album over the internet, Litwin and Martin wrote over 25 songs using the same methods that worked for their earlier demo recordings – with Litwin coming home during college breaks to get together and finalize the tracks, as Martin had previously graduated.

Klavan returned to the group partially through the writing process and spent much of January and March 2006 writing and recording demo vocals in Litwin’s home studio on the newly written tracks. The band (now with 3 members) continued work on the album until June 2006. By then the album had been almost completely recorded and produced at home by Litwin and Martin. At which time, the band relocated to a local recording studio "Vudu Studios" in Long Island, NY to record the final version.

The band headed into the studio and started the professional recording of The Crucial Line in June 2006 with Litwin and Martin personally financing the recording. The Crucial Line was produced by Litwin and Martin, and performed by Litwin, Martin – playing guitar, bass and selected drum parts (prior to Straiter’s return), Klavan and Straiter - who rejoined the group towards the beginning of the recording process. Despite the majority of editing being done outside of the studio to manage the budget the project faced extremely high overages, causing a standstill in production. However, last minute financing was obtained to complete the album which was completed and mastered by Tony Dawsey at Masterdisk in New York, NY and released in October 2006.

The band spent months promoting the album via MySpace and targeting people with similar musical interests to review the album before it released. However, despite its positive reception the band's lineup had not been finalized.