Vancouver-based metal band 3 Inches of Blood write about pirates, swords and warring cyborgs from the future, for good measure. But most importantly, the band write about heavy metal. Take everything great about heavy music before 1985, and go from there. Which means the shrieking vocal assault of Rob Halford, the epic guitars and storytelling of Iron Maiden, the pirate theme of Running Wild, and, most importantly, the lasting influence of the British New Wave of Heavy Metal. 3 Inches of Blood is a band that knows their Diamond Head from their Motörhead.  3 Inches Of Blood originally formed in 2000 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Jamie Hooper, Sunny Dhak and Bob Froese originally got together to do a one-off reunion gig for an old group of theirs, however, things went so well they decided to continue under a new moniker. A five-track demo of the new band, now dubbed 3 Inches of Blood after a particularly gruesome dream of Froese, found its way over to the house of Hot Hot Heat keyboardist Steve Bays. Bays' friend, death metal vocalist Cam Pipes (and yes, Cam Pipes is his real name), was impressed with the bands old school sound, and was asked to join as a permanent member. Over the next two years the group became a popular local concert draw, and recorded one well-received album, 'Battlecry Under A Wintersun', in 2002.

ADVANCE AND VANQUISH (2004) ROADRUNNER

Remember when metal was almost synonymous with dungeons and dragons? Well, these guys surely do! Their love for true heavy metal, and all it's clichés are easy to both hear and see. But this is not to say that they are yet another band to follow Hammerfall and their likes, in trying to recreate the 80's metal we all grew up with. No, 3 Inches Of Blood are doing it their own way. By combining both clean, high pitched, screaming metal vocals, ala King Diamond or Rob Halford, and death/metalcore vocals, with a modern production and sound, the have created their unique style. I have to confess that when I first heard a clip from them, I completely fell in love with what I heard. But seeing as how I read about their modern influences, and the fact that they are on Roadrunner Records (infamous for going from one of metal's most important labels to becoming trend riders of the foulest sort), I was leery of buying this CD. Then I got to hear the entire album, and I was convinced! 3 Inches Of Blood play 80's power/speed metal, with a modern flare. Imagine King Diamond singing for a band that sounds like a cross between Manowar and Running Wild! They capture a classic feel, but at the same time sound fresh and inventive. My only complaint must be that the songs tend to sound a bit too similar, especially the vocal lines, making the overall feel of the CD a little bit stale. But if you love classic metal, you are bound to find stuff to love on 'Advance And Vanquish'!

Killer tracks: All of them are good, but "Deadly Sinners" is my favorite.