There’s a reason fans have come to their shows wearing Viking
helmets and brandishing both real and plastic swords. Born out
of a love for pure metal, weaned on a diet of fantasy and mythology,
3 Inches of Blood have been slaying the infidel and defending
the faith for nearly eight years.
In that time, they’ve released two albums and splattered
the ground with crimson streaks while on tour with Satyricon,
Black Dahlia Murder, Motorhead and Cradle of Filth. These are
mighty accomplishments for dedicated warriors from Vancouver,
British Columbia, a region that’s not exactly the Camelot
of heavy metal. And with their new album, Fire Up the Blades,
3 Inches of Blood have surpassed even their own manly exploits,
crafting a baker’s dozen of anthems and stormers that crash,
rip and roar like a Medieval skirmish.
Throughout Fire Up the Blades, 3 Inches of Blood demonstrate
that the best way to stay ahead of the heavy metal curve is to
write music that comes from the heart and sounds nothing like
the horde of bands tapping into the latest trends. To that end,
they draw fuel from their favorite artists, including Iron Maiden,
Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate, Manowar, and Enslaved, and they
compile it all into their own lethal potion. Once more, 3 Inches
of Blood demonstrate great skill for riding galloping steeds
into fiery realms of crunching riffs and banging heads, but Fire
Up the Blades is darker and more aggressive than 2004’s
critically acclaimed Advance and Vanquish. “Demon’s
Blade” starts with a crushing, technical thrash passage
and peaks with twin guitar harmonies over throat-shredding vocals
and “Infinite Legions” features hailstorm blast beats
and orchestral swells between martial riffs.
Justin and Shane play Dean Markley NickelSteel
Electric LTHB, while Nick uses Blue
Steel Electric MEDs.
Justin Hagberg said about
his Dean Markley’s:
Dean Markley NickelSteel LTHB strings are for me ‘cause
they’re so durable, built to last! And of course I get great
fucking tone out of ‘em!
Shane Clark said:
Dean Markley NickelSteel LTHB strings are the most reliable strings
I’ve ever used; they never break and they are tonally consistent
every night. No other strings conquer like DM!!!
Nick Cates said:
The reason I love the Dean Markley Blue Steel MEDs is when restringing
your bass, there is no better or brighter sounding string than
the Blue Steels. The Blue Steels are essential to get the punch
and tone I love every night on stage.
Be sure to visit the 3 Inches of Blood website at:
www.3InchesOfBlood.com or
www.MySpace.com/3iob or
www.YouTube.com/3inchesofblood.
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