Long-running warriors of the Great White North 3 Inches of Blood have revealed that after a 16-year campaign, their battlecry will no longer be heard beneath a winter sun. Or any other sun, for that matter. More to the point, they're putting their balls on ice and breaking up.
The news was revealed by the band today (June 2) over Facebook, where the lords of leather posted a farewell to the fans. Though the specifics were slim, the joint statement from the group explains that there are no hard feelings over the breakup. Apparently, the final lineup of vocalist Cam Pipes, guitarists Justin Hagberg and Shane Clark, and drummer Ash Pearson have realized that the band had come to its natural conclusion.
The statement reads: "Naturally, people will have questions as to why we have collectively made this decision. While our reasons are personal, just know we are all still good friends, but it is just time to move on."
Though band members will be moving on to other projects, there will still be one last hurrah for 3 Inches of Blood. A hometown show at Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom will be held November 7. The night will feature Fire Up the Blades-era bass player Nick Cates joining the band. Opening sets will be handled by Bison and Black Wizard.
The full farewell letter is as follows:
Unfortunately this is not the sort of news you were wanting to hear but here goes...
It is now that we come to announce that 3 Inches of Blood has decided to part ways. Naturally, people will have questions as to why we have collectively made this decision. While our reasons are personal, just know we are all still good friends, but it is just time to move on.
All of us will continue to pursue musical projects, so refer to our social media pages to keep up with that.
We are eternally thankful to our fans, friends and family that have stuck by us through thick and thin and always believed in us. You are the reason this band got anywhere and kept us going. We'd also like to thank our musical peers and former 3 Inches of Blood members for all your love and support over the years.
We'd like to put one last stamp on the band's career and end it in grand style. Our final performance will be in our hometown of Vancouver, BC, Canada on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the fabulous Commodore Ballroom. We're pleased to say that, Fire Up the Blades-era bassist, Nick Cates will be playing the show with us. As well, we intend to deliver other special surprises that will make this a night to remember. Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 5 and you will be able to get them here.
3 Inches of Blood went through a number of lineup changes since forming in Victoria in 1999. Vocalist Cam Pipes is the longest standing member of the band, but the earliest version of the lineup featured lone vocalist Jamie Hooper. The New Wave of British Heavy Metal-inspired outfit adopted a two-vocalist approach in time for their debut release, 2001's Sect of the White Worm EP.
The band delivered five full-lengths over the years, starting with 2002's Battlecry Under a Winter Sun. Their last album was 2012's Long Live Heavy Metal.
Memorable moments over the years included booting drummer Alexei Rodriguz from the band in 2007 following a a fist fight with a member of Saxon and delivering the Warriors of the Great White North documentary in 2013.
Sadly, the band's second bassist, Brian Redman, passed away in a scooter accident in 2009. His position was initially filled by Nick Cates, and later by Byron Stoud, Steve Ericson and Anciients member Aaron "Boon" Gustafson.
The news was revealed by the band today (June 2) over Facebook, where the lords of leather posted a farewell to the fans. Though the specifics were slim, the joint statement from the group explains that there are no hard feelings over the breakup. Apparently, the final lineup of vocalist Cam Pipes, guitarists Justin Hagberg and Shane Clark, and drummer Ash Pearson have realized that the band had come to its natural conclusion.
The statement reads: "Naturally, people will have questions as to why we have collectively made this decision. While our reasons are personal, just know we are all still good friends, but it is just time to move on."
Though band members will be moving on to other projects, there will still be one last hurrah for 3 Inches of Blood. A hometown show at Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom will be held November 7. The night will feature Fire Up the Blades-era bass player Nick Cates joining the band. Opening sets will be handled by Bison and Black Wizard.
The full farewell letter is as follows:
Unfortunately this is not the sort of news you were wanting to hear but here goes...
It is now that we come to announce that 3 Inches of Blood has decided to part ways. Naturally, people will have questions as to why we have collectively made this decision. While our reasons are personal, just know we are all still good friends, but it is just time to move on.
All of us will continue to pursue musical projects, so refer to our social media pages to keep up with that.
We are eternally thankful to our fans, friends and family that have stuck by us through thick and thin and always believed in us. You are the reason this band got anywhere and kept us going. We'd also like to thank our musical peers and former 3 Inches of Blood members for all your love and support over the years.
We'd like to put one last stamp on the band's career and end it in grand style. Our final performance will be in our hometown of Vancouver, BC, Canada on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the fabulous Commodore Ballroom. We're pleased to say that, Fire Up the Blades-era bassist, Nick Cates will be playing the show with us. As well, we intend to deliver other special surprises that will make this a night to remember. Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 5 and you will be able to get them here.
3 Inches of Blood went through a number of lineup changes since forming in Victoria in 1999. Vocalist Cam Pipes is the longest standing member of the band, but the earliest version of the lineup featured lone vocalist Jamie Hooper. The New Wave of British Heavy Metal-inspired outfit adopted a two-vocalist approach in time for their debut release, 2001's Sect of the White Worm EP.
The band delivered five full-lengths over the years, starting with 2002's Battlecry Under a Winter Sun. Their last album was 2012's Long Live Heavy Metal.
Memorable moments over the years included booting drummer Alexei Rodriguz from the band in 2007 following a a fist fight with a member of Saxon and delivering the Warriors of the Great White North documentary in 2013.
Sadly, the band's second bassist, Brian Redman, passed away in a scooter accident in 2009. His position was initially filled by Nick Cates, and later by Byron Stoud, Steve Ericson and Anciients member Aaron "Boon" Gustafson.