3 Inches Of Blood Concert Review

3 Inches Of Blood, Saviours, Holy Grail

Friday, November 20, 2009

Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis, MN

A packed house greeted me as I squeezed my way through the door as “Battles And Brotherhood”, the lead track from Here Waits Thy Doom opened the show. It’s been a while since 3 Inches Of Blood had been through town, and their underground popularity certainly has not waned judging from the huge response from the crowd. The only constant in the band the last few years is vocalist Cam Pipes, but the band sounded tight as they wasted no time and roared through a large selection of their latest album, Here Waits Thy Doom. “Call Of The Hammer” and “Execution Tank” were especially impressive, and “Silent Killer”, “Snake Fighter”, and “All Of The Witches” were also thrown down to the crowd’s delight. Only three songs were Fire Up The Blades were played tonight, but the oddest part of the show was the unusual song selection from Advance And Vanquish. Of course, “Deadly Sinners” was saved for the end of the set, but “Wykydtron” and “Swordmaster” seemed like odd choices for the only other representation from that fine album. I supposed I’m nitpicking here because the band was in town to promote Here Waits Thy Doom, and what a job they did. My review of this album was less than enthusiastic, but I must admit that these songs carried a much greater impact live. A large part of the crowd seemed to also be familiar with Here Waits Thy Doom, so the band was greeted with rousing cheers and fierce mosh pit action throughout most the 60 minute set. The only misstep was their cover of Blue Öyster Cult’s “Cities On Flame With Rock ‘N’ Roll”. A great step, but it’s slow, deliberate pace deflated the crowd as the band neared the end of the set. 3 Inches Of Blood have been around long enough to have earned a loyal fan base, and tonight’s show satisfied all as the night drew to a close.

Click on the photo to see more pictures of 3 Inches Of Blood (6).

3 Inches Of Blood Album Review

3 Inches Of Blood – Here Waits Thy Doom

Century Media, 2009

6/10

Canada’s metal warlods 3 Inches Of Blood are back with their fourth album, their first for Century Media. A new label home isn’t the only thing that’s changed. Except for vocalist Cam Pipes, the entire lineup of 3 Inches Of Blood has turned over since 2004’s breakthrough album Advance And Vanquish, and the dual screamer/singer vocalist approach popularized by Linkin Park is thankfully gone. The band has been boxed into a “traditional” heavy metal description (whatever that means), however, Here Waits Thy Doom is a surprisingly eclectic and varied affair. Stylistically the album is all over the map, from frantic thrashers (“At The Foot Of The Great Glacier” and “Call Of The Hammer”) to boogie-tempo rockers (“Rock In Hell”) to slow foot-stompers (“Preacher’s Daughter”). Variety is good, but the album lacks a consistent, cohesive feel that leaves me scratching my head as to what the band was trying to accomplish. The first half of Here Waits Thy Doom was a huge disappointment with its lack of attention-grabbing songs. Things pick up a bit for the second half, and “Snake Fighter”, “All Of Them Witches”, and “Execution Tank” restored some confidence that the band hasn’t completely lost direction. 3 Inches Of Blood has a lot going for them with a distinctive vocalist in Cam Pipes (he really reminds me of a screaming Jon Oliva) and quality musicianship, but the songwriting falls flat on half the record here. Hopefully the current roster of the band will stabilize and find a clear direction for the next record.

3 Inches Of Blood will be appearing at The Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis on Friday, November 20. Support will come from Saviours and Holy Grail.

3 Inches Of Blood Show Announcement

Ticketmaster has just announced the appearance of Century Media recording artist 3 Inches Of Blood at the Triple Rock in Minneapolis on Friday, November 20. 3 Inches Of Blood is promoting the Here Waits Thy Doom album, released last month. Support will come from Saviours and Holy Grail.