Der Metal Krieger Let's make this world metal shall we?
You know your band shreds when you can measure blood with inches rather the traditional sense of volume. Yes, that is right, we are talking about those crazy Canucks in 3 Inches of Blood. And no the title is not exactly about prolonging our mutual enjoyment of listening to aggressive and awe-inspiring metal music, it is their new album: Long Live Heavy Metal.
Band: 3 Inches of Blood
Album: Long Live Heavy Metal
Genre: Heavy Metal
Label: Century Media
Release Date: March 26, 2012
Fans of the band pin their success to a few key characteristics, falsetto vocals, over the top themes, and awesome music to thrash around to. This new album picks up where they all left off, remaining as brutal as ever, and even doing what the past albums have failed to manage. Normally in past works, the albums found their way onto my iPhone, not as a whole album, but in pieces, as I felt many parts were rather hum drum. This new album is consistently quality, and uses many more musical elements to keep things interesting. Most songs are reminiscent of Iron Maiden with the drums, the guitar shredding and the falsetto vocals. Quickly you go from Bruce Dickinson to the newfound realm of 3 Inches of Blood, where you have falsetto vocals mixed with insane guitar solos and rifts, such as throughout “Leather Lord”.
The composition of many of these songs are flawless, giving a good amount of instrumental precision in between the banshee-eque howls of Cam Pipes and the growls produced by the same incredible musician. Justin Hagberg and Shane Clark, are the duo behind the shredding, and often produce immensely catchy riffs and thumb severing quick solos. The drums are as precise as they can be, courtesy of Ash Pearson, who maintains a great beat and sets the pace for all of the songs and ties it all together.
From first listen you will realize that this band has evolved. Long gone are the songs that focus on simple rhythm and constant vocalization, and in are the breaks, the speed playing and guitar riffs reminiscent to the legendary Iron Maiden. Yet, as much as you can compare a band to one of incredible prowess, they still carve their own path, proving to be versatile and all-around talented in every aspect of the music creating realm.
As for the theme, it is very much like the works of past, carrying on their realm of over the top badassery. All in all, you are fortunate to make it through the entire album sitting down, because even alone, you resist the urge to throw your fists in the air, grab your battle coat, and thrash around with a drinking horn in your hand that isn’t balled up into a fist. It is a great album even though it is nothing new to listeners of 3 Inches of Blood. This is a strong addendum to their already accomplished portfolio of metal, and is worth every listen you are willing to give it.
While it is in fact a glorious experience, it isn’t anything groundbreaking–HOWEVER don’t let that deter you because it’s solid and it delivers the searing hot metal that we expect from any band that tries to sail under the heavy metal flag.
Long live heavy metal? Long live heavy metal indeed, and let these men guide us.
Rating:
Out on March 26, 2012!
The best place to grab Long Live Heavy Metal is over at CMDistro, Century Media Record’s main shop. They have some excellent pre-order packages so get it as soon as you can!
Click the image to see all of the pre-order options.
Metal Alliance Tour 2012
3/15/2012 – Austin, TX @ Scoot Inn
3/16/2012 – New Orleans, LA @ The Hangar
3/17/2012 – St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theater
3/18/2012 – Charlotte, NC @ Amos
3/20/2012 – Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
3/21/2012 – New York, NY @ Gramercy Theater
3/22/2012 – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
3/23/2012 – Montreal, QC, Canada @ Le National
3/24/2012 – Toronto, ON, Canada @ Opera House
3/25/2012 – Columbus, OH @ Alrosa Villa
3/26/2012 – Joliet, IL @ Mojoe’s
3/27/2012 – St. Paul, MN @ Station-4
3/28/2012 – Winnipeg, MB, Canada @ Garrick Centre
3/29/2012 – Regina, SK, Canada @ Riddell Centre
3/30/2012 – Edmonton, AB, Canada @ Edmonton Events Centre
3/31/2012 – Vancouver, BC, Canada @ Rickshaw Theater
4/1/2012 – Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
4/2/2012 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
4/5/2012 – Oakland, CA @ The Pound
4/6/2012 – Hollywood, CA @ House of Blues
4/7/2012 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theater
4/8/2012 – Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey Theater
4/9/2012 – Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall
4/10/2012 – Omaha, NE @ Sokol Auditorium
4/11/2012 – Des Moines, IA @ 7 Flags Event Center
4/13/2012 – Memphis, TN @ New Daisy Theater
4/15/2012 – Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theater
4/16/2012 – Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom
4/19/2012 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
4/20/2012 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s East
4/21/2012 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues
