I had the pleasure of seeing “3 Inches Of Blood” a couple of years ago, sadly mis-cast as support to The Darkness. The fact that the aforementioned headliners didn’t turn up that night did nothing to detract from “3 Inches…” blistering performance. This is the “New” Metal; Iron Maiden influenced guitar lines with an Udo Dirkschneider (ex-Accept, U.D.O) and Danni Filth (Cradle Of Filth) vocal stylee. Thankfully there are more than a few Manowar-style Metalisms thrown in for good measure too.

“3 Inches…” have taken the best rock ideas of the last twenty years and created a world of their own. Crushing riffs and vocal torture blend into a body of work which stands head and shoulders above anything in it’s genre.

“Fear On The Bridge (Upon The Boiling Sea Part1)” kicks off the album, quick and heavy it sets the benchmark for what’s to come. Be under no illusion, this is for the true Metalhead, there’s no let up. “Deadly Sinners”, “Revenge is a Vulture” and “Dominion Of Deceit”, the song titles alone create a sense of foreboding, we can safely assume it’s not for the weak hearted.

Musically, they have a very late 80’s Euro-Metal sound. The Maiden/Accept definition is as close as I can get to a decent description. They’ve thrown in a sword and sorcery element as well, which gives the music a definite direction, creating a mythical world in which to “Advance And Vanquish”. “Upon The Boiling Sea” is a recurring opus in three parts. “Fear…”, “Lord Of The Storm” and “Isle Of The Eternal Despair” and demonstrates the band’s musical and songwriting prowess to the full. Intricate time changes, howling vocals and a thunderous back line.

If you like your metal heavy and high paced, this is the chap for you. 3 Inches Of Blood are coming to burn your village, marauding and all conquering. To quote a line from “Deadly Sinners”, “Enemies of metal/Your death is our reward”. And I for one believe them.

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Track List

Fear On The Bridge
Deadly Sinners
Revenge Is A Vulture
Dominion Of Deceit
Premonition Of Pain
Lord Of The Storm
Wykydtron
Swordmaster
Axes Of Evil
Crazy Nights
Destroy The Orcs
The Phantom Of The Crimson Cloak
Isle Of Eternal Despair

Line Up

Cam Pipes - vocals
Shane Clark - guitar
Jamie Hooper - vocals
Justine Hagberg - guitar
Brian redman - bass
Matt Wood - drums