3 INCHES OF BLOOD „Advance and Vanquish”

Music: Heavy fucking metal
Duration: 50.36 (13 songs)


Cool songs: Deadly Sinners, Revenge is a Vulture, Axes of Evil, Destroy the Orcs
Website: www.threeinchesofblood.com

Just when we thought Roadrunner was making a play to sign the last of the European Metalcore acts, they throw us the proverbial curve ball of the year with the signing of Canadian metallers ‘Three Inches of Blood’. Roadrunner have made some bold moves of late; the signing of Caliban is probably not too surprising, but still encouraging, and the addition of Dutch boys Illdisposed was most unexpected. However, the signing of 3 Inches of Blood is not only their bravest move in quite some time, it is also their most heartening. This has nothing to do with current trends folks – 3 Inches play a modern version of 70’s NWOBHM meets 80’s speed/thrash metal.

Advance and Vanquish is so fucking metal!!! It screams MEEETTAAAALLL!! The cover art, the old school Maiden/Priest-isms, the dumb lyrics and song titles and the over top vocal histrionics are all representative of a band that loves the pure escapist nature of straight up heavy metal as it was in the 80’s. Manowar would be proud of these boys – ‘AaV’ has that classic ‘death to false metal’ feel dripping from every riff. And whilst, the new crowd will scratch their heads in utter confusion at the prospect of hearing this album, be certain that most of the old guard (particularly those who refuse to grow up – like me) will salute the attitude and freshness that this displays in 2004.

The nostalgic ride provided here is an important one, but it’s not the only trick 3 Inches perform. Underneath the high pitched falsetto’s and fight ‘til death lyrical themes, there is some killer riff writing going on – as a result ‘AaV’ has far more depth that you might think for a band that seems to thrive on old-school aesthetics. There’s more going on that straight up novelty here. The Priest-isms are also valid, although musically I tend to think 3 Inches are more ‘Painkiller’ than anything ‘British Steel’. The retro vibe is more vocally inflected than musically anyway – Cam Pipes’ windowpane shattering shrieks may recall the ‘Halford’ vibe also – although it’s not as strong an influence as some might suggest (other than being high pitched Pipes and Halford have little in common style and phrasing wise).

For something so retro inspired – surprisingly, the modern production helps here. For all of its old school values, the ripping guitar mix and overall new millennium sheen that can be achieved nowadays has given ‘AaV’ a tremendously
powerful sound. Neil Kernon (Nevermore and Priest among others) knows his shit and with Colin ‘the metal mix king’ Richardson along side, you can be assured that this SOUNDS fucking incredible. As a result, 3 inches retro angle is only partly inferred. This is 80’s metal with a modern production. For want of a better comparison, imagine Violence’s ‘Eternal Nightmare’ with today’s sound.

3 Inches of Blood won’t invoke universal appeal. Pipes’ vocal style will either be loved or loathed (having said that, if current Darkness fans could imagine a more rabid, speed induced Justin Hawkins, then they might find Pipes to their liking). For fans of Priest, Maiden, Accept and anything else 80’s speed/thrash inspired these guys are the shit. It’ll never quite reach the heights of those days, but in a time where metal is an extremely fractured genre, it’s great to hear something as refreshing and as nostalgic as this. It’s totally metal dude!

note: 8.1/10

Tracklist

1. Fear On The Bridge (Upon The Boiling Sea I)
2.Deadly Sinners
3.Revenge Is A Vulture
4.Dominion Of Deceit
5.Premonition Of Pain
6.Lord Of The Storm (Upon The Boiling Sea II) 7.Wykydtron
8.Swordmaster
9.Axes Of Evil
10.Crazy Nights
11.Destroy The Orcs
12.The Phantom Of The Crimson Cloak
13.Isle Of Eternal Despair (Upon The Boiling Sea III)