When “Here Waits Thy Doom” came out it seemed as if I was waiting for 3 Inches Of Bloods doom because that album sucked, more than any album that year. It was absolutely atrocious and honestly had no good songs on. One or two that I would deem tolerable but none that I could choose to actually pick myself and listen to them. I and Justin simply sang them in Rock Band because we had been waiting so long for the chance to belt out one of their songs and god damn we had to take what we could get. I thought that maybe with Jamie Hooper leaving the band, he might have been the driving force behind the band’s sound. It scared me that they may not return to the sound of their two great albums “Advance and Vanquish” and “Fire up the Blades” but once again, I have been proven wrong in my musical thoughts.
From the opening track “Metal Woman” it is very clear the band is not here to play around and that ‘classic’ sound that they were going for on the last album is long gone and the power metal/anthemic sound of the band is back and better than ever. The development of guitarist Justin Hagberg as the harsh vocalist has really brought the band back around full circle to the sound of the earlier albums and brought back a welcome change. The production is another thing leaps and bounds better than HWTD, although I understand that the band was going for an old school sound, it wasn’t there for me and it did not feel powerful or convincing at all.
Songs like “Leave it On The Ice” and “Storming Juno” show different aspects of the band lyrically that we haven’t seen before. Although they are still highly epic and badass they cover different topics from hockey and historical aspects. It’s nice to not here JUST about orcs and pirates from the band, although we wouldn’t have a problem with it. Have I mentioned the vocalist with the coolest name ever for a vocalist yet? I don’t think so! Of course I am talking about CAM PIPES(who Whitney argues with me isn’t his real name.) He sounds fucking amazing as he always has; the one constant in the band is his vocals. They get higher and even more ear piercing every damn album and I love it. Whenever I find myself singing along I try my damndest to hit the high notes that he can, but I never will.
Some stuff has carried over from HWTD though; the classic rock feel can still be found, the feeling that the band has been heavily influenced by Jethro Tull and Blue Oyster Cult; just listen to “Look Out” if you don’t believe me. Every single song on the album should be one that you will be able to belt out live and fucking rock out to.
Rating: 10/10
Combining the best elements from every single 3 Inches of Blood album, this is the masterpiece of their career. This is the modern day anthemic album much like old school Priest and Maiden material. 3 Inches of Blood have perfected their sound in such a way; I hope they never change it. I could listen to this type of music from them non-stop, all day, and every day.
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