It is a common fact that the newest movement in metal has been meshing 80's influenced guitar riffs and solos with modern metal and hardcore. 3 Inches of Blood are another band jumping at this style while the sound hasn't yet been beaten to death and we move on to whatever is next for Heavy Metal.

There is not much to say here except that there are a lot of problems with this album. First and most obvious is the vocals. The band has 2 singers, Cam Pipes and Jamie Hooper, and both sound like they are really trying to be the modern day more brutal versions of Bruce Dickinson. Where the problem lies is that the higher notes that they attempt to hit come out sounding forced and scratchy, and on the opposite end their throaty growls are more painful to the ear then Limp Bizkit covering The Who's "Behind Blue Eyes". It's as if they were deciding on what sound they wanted to go for and said "Let’s take Iron Maiden and make it heavier."

Once you are able to stop yourself from almost destroying whatever speakers the horrid vocals are coming from and start listening to the band behind these two clowns, you start to wonder "How do talented musicians like this get them self stuck with not just one, but two shitty singers?" The rest of the band is really impressive, Sunny Dhak-lead guitar, Bob Froese-rhythm guitar, Brian Redman-bass guitar, and Matt Wood-drums. If only they had an actual Howard Jones or Bruce Dickinson to front them rather then 2 fools trying way too hard to sound a very specific way because that's where metal is at this particular moment.

2/5

Links:
Official 3 Inches of Blood Website
Roadrunner Records

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