3 Inches Of Blood

Three Inches of Blood emerged as a six-piece act from British Columbia, with Cam Pipes handling clean vocals, Jamie Hooper delivering the shrieks, Sunny Dhak on lead guitar, Bobby Froese handling rhythm guitar, Rich Trawick on bass, and Geoff Trawick behind the drums. The group channeled the energetic spirit of 1980s heavy metal through galloping riffs and solos reminiscent of Iron Maiden yet propelled at thrash metal speeds, all paired with lyrics and song titles steeped in Dungeons & Dragons imagery, evident on tracks such as "Destroy the Orcs" and "Ride Darkhorse, Ride."

Their first release, a five-song EP from 2000, sold out rapidly in local circles and paved the way for the full-length Battlecry Under a Winter Sun the next year, which began with only a restricted Canadian pressing. Underground metal enthusiasts spread news of the album through word of mouth and the band’s relentless live schedule, allowing it to reach listeners beyond Canada’s borders and overseas. This momentum secured a deal with Roadrunner Records, after which the lineup adjusted with Brian Redman taking over bass and Matt Wood on drums, leading to the 2004 follow-up Advance and Vanquish.

Guitarists Froese and Dhak departed soon after and were succeeded by Justin Hagberg and Shane Clark. The refreshed configuration moved nearer to an authentic recreation of 1980s metal on 2007’s Fire Up the Blades, yet Jamie Hooper, the final founding member, exited the following year. Hagberg assumed vocal responsibilities, and the band pressed forward with Here Waits Thy Doom in 2009 and Long Live Heavy Metal in 2012, both issued via Century Media.