3 Inches Of Blood — Here Waits Thy Doom

To be honest, I haven't listened to a 3 Inches Of Blood record since 2004's Advance And Vanquish. And although the lineup on that record and the lineup on their latest is almost entirely different, the music is still very much the same.

Here Waits Thy Doom is full of over-the-top call-to-arms heavy metal anthems in the spirit of King Diamond, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden that are perfectly suited for a live environment or hesher tailgate parties. If you don't understand how songs about sword fights and valiant warriors make for ideal heavy metal subjects, then you just don't get this band and you're missing out on some fun. These guys don't take themselves entirely seriously so neither should the listener.

That doesn't mean that there isn't some seriously good riffage and musicianship here. Album opener "Battles And Brotherhood" is vintage 3IOB along the lines of "Deadly Sinners," while the beginning of "Snake Fighter" immediately brings to mind Iron Maiden's "The Number Of The Beast."

The only problem is the songs feel kinda same-y except for a short acoustic interlude and in the middle of the album with "Preachers Daughters," a cool stoner rock track that's more like Clutch than any British metal band. But 3IOB aren't about variety — they're about heavy metal and playing it loud and proud.

Get it from