3 INCHES OF BLOOD’S HERE WAITS THY DOOM: AT HOME IN A RECORD COLLECTION IN 2009… OR 1979
Monday, September 14th, 2009 at 2:00pm by Bob Cock
Recording the first album without a previous vocalist is usually a curse on a band’s sound, cred, and whatever dork-speak you want to talk about the guys that spout, “Well, their first X number of records where good at least” (where X equals how awesome you are at liking metal, hardcore, and the heavier side of the musical spectrum), right? With co-vocalist Jamie Hooper sidelined by recurring throat problems and now out of the picture, high-pitcher Cam Pipes is the sole vocalist this time around (aside from guitarist Justin Hagberg’s backup growls). That results in lending 3 Inches of Blood an even more traditional sound on Here Waits Thy Doom, the band’s Century Media debut after a brief few years on Roadrunner. The group no longer has any original members… but their heart (and metal) is still in the right place.
Rest assured, as much as Hooper’s screamed vocals made 2002’s Battle Under A Wintersun and the band’s highly-publicized Roadrunner debut, Advance And Vanquish, intriguing listens, Pipes’ Halford-esque wail, alongside with Hagberg and fellow axe man Shane Clark’s tandem duel of galloping rhythms and 80s metal leads and the work of new drummer Ash Pearson, is enough to sustain the band. Thanks to producer Jack Endino (High On Fire, Toxic Holocaust, Nirvana, Skeletonwitch, etc.), all this comes out crisp, clean and clear, throwing back to the days of Maiden, Priest, UFO… and about ninety other bands from the late 70s and 80s that showcased standout melody above all else.
Thankfully, the focus is on melody. 3 Inches of Blood have constantly had to defend themselves against being a joke band, a parody, or a gimmick; song titles like “Rock In Hell” and lyrics that might give Manowar or Grim Reaper a run for their money don’t help the cause. It’s the tandem leads in “Fierce Defender” or the riffs from “Battles and Brotherhood” that will get fists pumping. A little cheese aside (I guess orcs, battlelore, and the like lend themselves to that), few are the faults to cite on Here Waits Thy Doom – unless the screaming in the band’s back catalog was an absolute necessity. The bulk of Here Waits Thy Doom speeds along in late-80s Priest musical territory with Pipes’ (by now) trademark falsetto and Pearson’s welcome restraint from constant double bass. Those of you over the age of twenty-five who own an extensive music collect that does not exist solely in mp3 format, take note of the Rainbow/Deep Purple sound of “Preacher’s Daughter” (Especially that ending build… hello, 1978!). Throw in two tracks pushing the seven-minute mark, and that ought to feed your gullet.
Truth be told, 3IOB kind of disappeared off this reviewer’s radar after the whole “Deadly Sinner” / “Oh my gosh, check it out! It’s a joke band” fanaticism (DragonForce, anyone?) and one lackluster listen through Fire Up The Blades, an album that seemed to come and go with little fanfare. Hopefully this time around, Century Media can help keep 3 Inches of Blood in the forefront for this album cycle, especially with such a resurgence of bands that are not single-handedly relying on monotone growls and over the top tech groove or breakdowns. A welcome addition to the collection.
(3 1/2 out of 5 horns)
-BC
seriously, if you don’t have any original members, you should get a new name and new contract. it’s just not the same band anymore if the founders isn’t in there…
Ummm, they do have a new contract.
sorry for my lack of knowledge about this band, I didn’t really got further through the article than the point where it said “no original members left”. I just felt like sharing my opinion on this particular subject… (although i meant a new contract under a new NAME . Lamb of God just got a new contract, too, bands do that everyday).
The problem is, the statement about “no original members” isn’t completely accurate.
The band formed in 1999 with only Jamie Hooper singing, but Cam Pipes put down his first recordings with the band in 2001 when their second EP came out. There first EP was even more of a demo than the 2001 release. Cam Pipes has sung on every full length release, and I would almost guarantee if you heard pre-Pipes 3iob, you might not even recognize it (I haven’t, but Pipes falsetto really defines the band for me, so I think it would be odd without).
In interviews, Cam has been called “the only original member” left and doesn’t make any efforts to refute that. It’s not like he replaced someone who left. He joined while they were still making demos to fill out the sound/round out the group. Are we gonna say he’s not an original member because he missed the first demo? I don’t think so. They are still 3iob, they just focus more on Pipes’ pipes now.
http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=136&csid2=946&fid1=40754
“Recording the first album without a previous vocalist is usually a curse on a band’s sound, cred, and whatever dork-speak you want to talk about the guys that spout, “Well, their first X number of records where good at least” (where X equals how awesome you are at liking metal, hardcore, and the heavier side of the musical spectrum), right?”
This sentence hurt my brain.
does anyone else think the highs sound a little warped?
I’ve only given the album one listen through so far, but I think it’s my favorite.
First time I heard Deadly Sinners, my buddy started laughing at this “Joke Band.” I went out and bought the record! I thought the song was huge and that the album was pure metal without any gimmicks… aside from all the Dungeons and Dragons-type references. But I know cat’s like that! Ain’t nuthin’ wrong with a little D&D! This is a great band that makes great music (Ok, wasn’t too impressed with Fire Up the Blades, but it was still better than a lot of other stuff that came out around the same time) and is just pure metal!
You can’t beat a line like, “Enemies of metal, your death is our reward!”. Jokey or not…
It didn’t blow me away on first listen. I guess I miss the screams. Truth be told, I was listening to it in my van with 2 kids in the back that said it was too loud. Louder listens always yield better results. Maybe I’ll give it another go with the headphones after the kiddies are in bed.
3IOB are coming to my town with Arise & Ruin and I’m gonna miss it. Damn work!
I am quite a bit disappointed with this release, as i’ve really enjoyed and appreciated all their releases so far. This one seems a lot more “rock” in tone and style than their previous stuff and I guess that my expectations being different have contributed to my being disappointed somewhat.
Still, have no problem with the band just because they release what I would consider one lackluster record. Not going to be going out and burning their cds (stacked in the shape of a tiny church).
I also thought Fire Up The Blades was their best, so perhaps there’s just something wrong with me…
That’s funny. I also really enjoyed Fire up the Blades. Most people I know that listen to this band cite that album as their favorite. However, most reviews I read about them say it’s their worst record. I just don’t get it. The production was great and songs like Night Marauders, Goatriders Horde, and Trial of Champions are instant classics in my opinion.
Production wise, the new album is 180 degrees from Fire up the Blades. It has a much more classic metal feel, like an old Judas Priest or Dio album. At first it through me off a little, but after a few spins I fell in love with it. Great record.
Agree 100%
This band kicks ass and I can’t wait to get this record
Advance and Vanquish is a killer album that I still spin (not literally.. I have an Ipod). Fire Up The Blades is decent, not amazing though. Will pick up this new one.
I’m not surprised that Jamie Hooper ruined his throat. His style of vocals, while badass, are actually the worst kind for your voice, worse that death metal or black metal. He sang with his throat a lot, which is completely improper but sounds fucking awesome. I’m bummed he’s not on the new album, 3 Inches has always been one of the only “Swords and Armor” type metal bands that I could get into, and I think that has a lot to do with the duel vocals. And yes I know how to spell “dual”, it’s just a terrible pun.
No, it’s an accurate description.
I definitely think there’s a little something missing, but I always thought Jamie sang a bit to much. I’ll miss some of the harmonies though, they don’t use screams enough on the new album (and as a general rule I dislike scream vocals, so it’s kinda shocking).
Completely agree with Cougar Party, Fire up the Blades is their best. The opening three tracks on that, not including the intro, are the best songs they’ve written IMO. Haven’t had a chance to listen to the new album yet, but I’m looking forward to it. Will definitely miss Hooper’s vocals though.
Dude, the shitty core vocalist in the back was always the worst part of their sound. Good riddance.
I think Fire up the Blades is the best album BY FAR from this band. Why the hate?
I disagree with this high rating for this album
I thought it was rather samey sounding. :/ Not bad, but nothing really worth repeated listens. Their last 2 were superior, IMO.
Potential there, still.