3 Inches of Blood -- Fire Up the Blades

[powerslave_85]

3 Inches of Blood are probably the only band who I've ever completely reversed my opinion on. At first, I thought they were a ridiculous joke band and I paid them no attention. But after listening to "Advance and Vanquish," I started to understand their appeal more, and before long I was banging my head and singing along. "Advance and Vanquish" is a great album, but everything that was good about it has been made 10x better and more kick-ass for "Fire Up the Blades." The riffs are heavier, the choruses are catchier, and the vocals are more refined and less over-the-top.

The album starts off with "Through the Horned Gate," an instrumental intro track with a cool riff that perhaps goes on a bit too long, but that's alright, because it's just a warm up to "Night Marauders," which starts with a riff that I would call one of the best of the year so far. "Goat Riders Horde" continues the onslaught and lets Cam Pipes (the guy who sounds like Halford) really show off, especially in the verses. The second vocalist, Jamie Hooper, shines on this album as well, but he takes a bit of a back seat to Cam on most of the songs. The great riffs keep coming on "Trial of Champions," which also boasts an awesome chorus. "Great Hall of Feasting" really threw me off at first, because it's very power-metal-ish and a little more light-hearted than most 3IoB songs, but the riff is one of the coolest on the album, so I'm not complaining.

I have to say, the first half of the album is a little stronger than the second, but overall it's an awesome metal record, and will be making its way into my year-end top 10 for sure.

[DethMaiden]

Fire the screamo guy and you're the best metal band of the last five years.

[ADD]

a.) Fire the screamo guy
b.) Change the band name

Advance & Vanquish was better, but this is still a good album. It definitely starts to lag the second half, and although they grew as songwriters in a lot of ways (i.e. not every song has the same chord progression pop up like on Advance & Vanquish and their debut Battlecry Under A Winter Sun), they still need to improve, particularly in how to execute tempo changes. You don't HAVE to vary every riff by first playing it fast and then in half-time like a breakdown, sometimes its used effectively but other times it isn't. The attempts at Euro-metal don't work either, stick to the Painkiller/NWOBHM worship for success. I do like how this is definitely a progression for them though, and I expect huge things from the next record.

Night Marauders/Goatrider's Horde though is one of the best one-two opening punches on a metal album in the last several years.

[SomewhereInTime72]

I agree with fire the screamo guy. I think I should check out this album if he's taking more of a backseat here though, I do like Advance and Vanquish.

[powerslave_85]

This album just gets exponentially better with ever listen. Goddamn.

[ChildrenofSodom]

Keep the screamo guy, because an all Halford/K.Diamond imitation band would be boring.

[powerslave_85]

My point exactly. It makes them at least somewhat unique, and besides, I like his voice.

[hot_turkey_ed]

ALL ORCS MUST BE DESTROYED!

[MetalDrummer888]

Originally Posted by ChildrenofSodom

Keep the screamo guy, because an all Halford/K.Diamond imitation band would be boring.

well said.

[JRA]

Originally Posted by ChildrenofSodom

Keep the screamo guy, because an all Halford/K.Diamond imitation band would be boring.

Or you could just get one guy who does both...