Canadian metal sextet 3 Inches Of Blood formed in Vancouver in 1999. Their debut album, BATTLECRY UNDER A WINTERSUN (2002), was a heady mix of old-school metal riffs, fantasy lyrics, and lead-singer Cam Pipes's high-pitched shriek. Following a support slot with U.K. labelmates the Darkness, fans took to wearing medieval battle dress and carrying swords--both plastic and real--to subsequent shows. Sophomore album ADVANCE AND VANQUISH was promoted with extensive touring, including a high-profile support slot with their heroes Iron Maiden. The third installment of the band's metal Gesamtkunstwer, FIRE UP THE BLADES, was released in 2007.