Listening to a 3 Inches of Blood record evokes the same reactions as seeing them live for the first time. When I saw them open for In Flames in 2009, I could hear snickering and mocking in the audience due to the over-the-top style, throwback wardrobe and almost cheesy ‘80s metal vibe they expelled. But once over the initial impression, slowly but surely the band won over the large crowd with its classic, retro-thrash metal style. Mosh pits were erupting, loud praise was heard and in the end, they’d seemingly won over a majority of a once rejecting crowd.

Here Waits Thy Doom is the same way. You have to know what you’re in for when going into a 3 Inches of Blood album. If you’re expecting something shiny, new and cutting edge, walk away. If you’re expecting something trendy, technical or complex, do the same. Instead, you’ll be slaying orcs, fighting fierce battles and dodging deadly assassins in the Dungeons & Dragons world of 3 Inches of Blood. It’s kind of unfortunate that, because of the reasons above, they’ll never really be given a chance from any large number of metalheads.

Here Waits Thy Doom is different than their previous albums, Advance and Vanquish and Fire Up the Blades. Due to personnel changes and other factors, this album sheds the death metal aspects, growled backing vocals and heavier guitars, and teleports the band completely back to 1984. The record sounds under-produced and raw like those of that time period. Vocalist Cam Pipes—now handling all vocals—engages full-on in a falsetto scream that falls somewhere next to Rob Halford or Overkill’s Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth.

There’s some good stuff here, but I have to be in that certain metal mood. “Battles and Brotherhood’s” galloping rhythm and infectious, anthemic chorus is either a tribute to the band itself and the hard times they’ve endured, or a bloody battle of Vikings on a distant shore—you decide. “Silent Killer” is destined to be a classic, along the lines and structure of my personal favorite from the band, “Destroy the Orcs” from Advance and Vanquish. “Preacher's Daughter” is something different for the band—a more rock ‘n’ roll ‘70s joint with a taboo feel. Pick out anything and you'll get the same results. Just make sure you’re wearing your platemail armor and are equipped with your battle axe +5—only then will you maybe survive.