3 INCHES OF BLOOD has revealed both the tracklisting and album artwork for their forthcoming release, Long Live Heavy Metal, which is due on the following international dates:

Germany / Austria / Switzerland / Norway: Friday, March 23rd

Uk / Benelux / France / Greece / Denmark / Portugal / Rest Of Europe: Monday, March 26th

Usa / Canada / Spain / Italy: Tuesday, March 27th

Sweden / Finland / Hungary: Wednesday, March 28th

Australia / New Zealand: Friday, March 30th

Produced by Terry "Sho" Murray (CITY OF FIRE, EXHIBITIONISTS), the twelve-track achievement offers an explosion of sound, setting new standards for classic heavy metal. 3 Inches Of Blood teamed up with Kim Thiessen for the artwork to perfect their artistic vision for the album, the different formats will be announced shortly.

The album artwork can be seen below:

Long Live Heavy Metal tracklisting:

'Metal Woman'

'My Sword Will Not Sleep'

'Leather Lord'

'Chief And The Blade'

'Dark Messenger'

'Look Out'

'4000 Torches'

'Leave It On The Ice'

'Die For Gold (Upon The Boiling Sea IV)'

'Storming Juno'

'Men Of Fortune'

'One For The Ditch'

After touring North America around the release date with DEVILDRIVER, THE FACELESS, DYING FETUS, JOB FOR A COWBOY, IMPENDING DOOM and WRETCHED, they will head to Europe for a tour in May that is yet to be announced.

3 Inches Of Blood recently announced that Bryon Stroud, former STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and FEAR FACTORY member, has officially joined the group, taking over bass duties. Stroud and 3 Inches Of Blood have been working together on a variety of things, and Stroud is beyond pleased to shift his involvement to a creative level.

"I am super stoked to let everyone know that I have joined my brothers in 3IOB," exclaims Stroud. "We are busy rehearsing for touring of the new record, Long Live Heavy Metal. The band asked me to come on board as manager earlier last year. We rehearse in my bike shop, I've toured with them in the past and being involved in many aspects of the new record has been extremely gratifying for me. I'm looking forward and see a great future for this band. I'll see you all on tour this year."

A photo gallery documenting the recording sessions for the new album, courtesy of photographer Aaron Aubrey, is available at this location.

"Long Live Heavy Metal is the fifth chapter in the book of 3 Inches Of Blood, and we couldn't be more pleased and proud of our new onslaught of honest heavy metal," says guitarist Justin Hagberg.

Metal Alliance Tour 2012 will run from March 15th - April 21st.

Confirmed dates include:

March

15 - Austin, TX - SXSW / Scoot Inn
16 - New Orleans, LA - The Hangar
17 - St Petersburg, FL - State Theater
18 - Charlotte, NC - Amos' Southend
20 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar
21 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theater
22 - Danvers, MA - Palace Ballroom
23 - Montreal, QC - Club Soda
24 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
25 - Columbus, OH - Alrosa Villa
26 - Joliet, IL - Mojoe's
27 - St Paul, MN - Station 4
28 - Winnipeg, MB - Garrick Centre
29 - Regina, SK - Riddell Centre
30 - Edmonton, AB - Edmonton Events Centre
31 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theater

April

1 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
3 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater
5 - Oakland, CA - The Pound
6 - Pomona, CA - Fox Theater
7 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theater
9 - Denver, CO - The Summit Music Hall
10 - Omaha, NE - Sokol Auditorium
11 - Des Moines, IA - 7 Flags Event Center
13 - Memphis, TN - New Daisy Theater
15 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theater
16 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's Ballroom
19 - Dallas, TX - House Of Blues
20 - Austin, TX - Emo's East
21 - Houston, TX - House Of Blues