3 Inches of Blood

3 Inches of Blood
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1999 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Defunct	2015 (disbanded)
Fate	Reformed in 2023
Headquarters	Victoria, Canada
Area served	International
Key people	Cam Pipes, Justin Hagberg, Shane Clark, Nick Cates, Ash Pearson
Products	Heavy metal music

3 Inches of Blood is a heavy metal group from Canada, established in 1999 in Victoria, British Columbia. After disbanding in 2015, the band reformed in 2023 featuring members Cam Pipes, Justin Hagberg, Shane Clark, Nick Cates, and Ash Pearson. Their sound is strongly influenced by the new wave of British heavy metal movement.

Formation and Battlecry Under a Wintersun

The band came together when Jamie Hooper, Sunny Dhak, Bobby Froese, Geoff Trawick (drums), and Rich Trawick (bass) reunited for a single performance. Motivated by successful songwriting sessions rooted in classic metal, they decided to continue under a new identity. Rich Trawick's roommate, Steve Bays from Hot Hot Heat, recommended incorporating clean vocals by Cam Pipes on their demo. After contributing vocals to their initial EP, Sect of the White Worm, Pipes became a full-time member.

Their first full-length album, Battlecry Under a Wintersun, was recorded in 2002 and initially released through Teenage Rampage Records and Fashion Before Function. The album was later remastered and reissued on their own label Minion Music. It gained underground recognition across Canada, receiving airplay on national college radio and earning Metal Album of the Year at the 2002 Canadian Independent Music Awards. Their UK distributor arranged for them to support rock band The Darkness on tour, which expanded their international profile and led to positive reviews within underground metal communities. This exposure resulted in a contract with Roadrunner Records in 2004.

Advance and Vanquish era (2004–2005)

In 2004, Geoff and Rich Trawick parted ways with the band due to disagreements related to Roadrunner Records. They were succeeded by Matt Wood (Goatsblood) and Brian Redman. Soon after recording Advance and Vanquish, Sunny Dhak and Bob Froese also left; Wood was replaced by Alexei Rodriguez. Dhak, Froese, Wood, along with Mike Payette later formed Pride Tiger.

Justin Hagberg (who had previously played with Pipes in Allfather) and Shane Clark filled the vacancies left by Dhak and Froese. Roadrunner Records launched an extensive promotional campaign around "Deadly Sinners" from Advance and Vanquish, featuring it on sampler CDs, compilations, and popular video games such as Tony Hawk's Underground 2, Saints Row 2, and Brütal Legend. This heightened media attention secured the band's participation in the 2005 Road Rage Tour.

In 2005, Hagberg contributed guitar work to Roadrunner United: The All Star Sessions. By October 2006, the band supported Iron Maiden during the U.S. leg of their A Matter of Life and Death World Tour.

Fire Up the Blades period (2006–2008)

Composing sessions for their third album, Fire Up the Blades, took place in Tacoma, Washington where they premiered new material locally. Recording occurred in December 2006 at Vancouver’s Armoury Studios with Slipknot’s drummer Joey Jordison as producer. Early demos such as "Goatrider's Horde" were made available via Roadrunner’s website; additionally, "Night Marauders" featured on a compilation by UK’s Metal Hammer magazine. Following Brian Redman’s departure in 2006 (he passed away in 2009), Nick Cates joined as bassist.

In early 2007, they toured the U.S., supporting Cradle of Filth alongside The 69 Eyes before embarking on a UK tour with Biomechanical. On March 22, 2007, they were announced as part of Ozzfest’s second stage lineup.

Prior to release, the band described Fire Up the Blades as having a darker tone with tighter arrangements and increased intensity compared to their previous Roadrunner album. Jamie Hooper cited black metal influences contributing to a faster and more aggressive sound while retaining their signature style.

The album was released first in Japan on May 28, 2007, followed by a worldwide release on June 26, reaching No. 147 on US Billboard charts.

During Ozzfest 2007, lead vocalist Jamie Hooper was unable to perform due to throat problems; he officially left the band in 2008 with Justin Hagberg assuming harsh vocal duties.

At the UK’s Hard Rock Hell festival in 2007, drummer Alexei Rodriguez was involved in an altercation with Saxon’s Nigel Glockler that resulted in injuries for both musicians. Rodriguez was subsequently dismissed and replaced by Ash Pearson (formerly of Sound Of the Swarm & Just Cause).

Here Waits Thy Doom era (2009–2011)

After Hooper’s exit, the fourth studio album Here Waits Thy Doom marked the band’s first release without any founding members remaining. It reached No. 195 on US Billboard charts.

The song "Beware The Preacher's Daughter" includes gang vocals contributed by all four members of Canadian metal group Bison B.C..

During this period, the band took part in Rockstar's Mayhem Festival 2010 and released a music video for "Silent Killer."

Long Live Heavy Metal

Released on March 26, 2012, Long Live Heavy Metal peaked at No. 92 on Canadian charts. The group toured extensively across both US and UK markets, including opening for Metallica during their August show in Vancouver. In 2013, they toured alongside acts such as Goatwhore, Death Angel, Revocation—which Ash Pearson eventually joined—and Battlecross.

Disbandment and reunion

On June 2, 2015, the band declared their breakup following two farewell performances scheduled for November 7 and 8 at Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom. Subsequently, Ash Pearson became part of Revocation.

On September 12, 2023, it was announced that 3 Inches of Blood would reunite for their first concert after nine years at Commodore Ballroom on January 13, 2024. Initially planned as a single event, additional concerts were added for January 12 and January 14.

On May 10, 2024, they headlined a sold-out first day of Manitoba Metalfest held at Winnipeg’s Park Theatre.

They are also slated to perform at France's prestigious Hellfest festival on June 20, 2025.

Band members

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Current

Cam Pipes – clean vocals (1999–2015, 2023–present), bass (2014–2015)
Shane Clark – lead guitar (2004–2015, 2023–present)
Justin Hagberg – rhythm guitar (2004–2015, 2023–present), screamed vocals (2008–2015, 2023–present)
Ash Pearson – drums (2007–2015, 2023–present)
Nick Cates – bass (2006–2009, 2015, 2023–present)

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Former

Jamie Hooper – screamed vocals (1999–2008)
Sunny Dhak – lead guitar (1999–2004)
Bobby Froese – rhythm guitar (1999–2004)
Rich Trawick – bass (1999–2004)
Geoff Trawick – drums (1999–2004)
Jay Watts – guitars (1999–2000)
Brian Redman – bass (2004–2006) (died 2009)
Matt Wood – drums (2004–2005)
Alexei Rodriguez – drums (2005–2007)

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Live

Steve Ericson – bass (2009–2011)
Aaron "Boon" Gustafson – bass (2011)
Byron Stroud – bass (2012–2013)
Pete Griffin – bass (2013)
Matt C – live drums (2007)

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Timeline

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id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums
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at:17/10/2007 color:Lines1 layer:back
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bar:Cam text:"Cam Pipes"
bar:Sunny text:"Sunny Dhak"
bar:Shane text:"Shane Clark"
bar:Bobby text:"Bobby Froese"
bar:Justin text:"Justin Hagberg"
bar:Rich text:"Rich Trawick"
bar:Brian text:"Brian Redman"
bar:Nick text:"Nick Cates"
bar:Geoff text:"Geoff Trawick"
bar:Matt text:"Matt Wood"
bar:Alexi text:"Alexei Rodriguez"
bar:Ash text:"Ash Pearson"

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Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Sect of the White Worm (2001)
Road Rage Tour 2004 (compilation with Machine Head, Chimaira, & Trivium) (2004)
Trial of Champions (2007)
Anthems for the Victorious (2011)

Singles

"Ride Darkhorse, Ride" (2002)
"Destroy the Orcs" (2003)
"Deadly Sinners" (2004)
"The Goatriders Horde" (2007)
"Trial of Champions" (2007)
"Battles and Brotherhood" (2009)
"Silent Killer" (2010)
"Call of the Hammer" / "Everything's Legal in Alabama" (split with Bob Wayne) (2011)
"Metal Woman" (2012)
"Live at Mushroom Volumes I-III" (2013)

External links