3 INCHES OF BLOOD has 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."

3 Inches Of Blood will release their fifth studio album, Long Live Heavy Metal, on March 27th in North America via Century Media Records. The album will be released in Europe on March 26th, and in Australia and New Zealand on March 30th. Keeping true to their core and bringing their forthcoming album title to life, fans can expect a blast of pure metal assured to leave no face un-melted.

A photo gallery documenting the recording sessions, 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.

For Long Live Heavy Metal, 3 Inches Of Blood reunited with producer and engineer Terry "Sho" Murray (CITY OF FIRE, EXHIBITIONISTS), who worked with the band on their 7", 'Anthems For The Victorious'.

"When a band is releasing a new record, they often speak about it being their most important work or best album to date. Regardless of how clichéd either statement may sound, I think we would say both apply to this album," explains vocalist Cam Pipes. "All of us have a special feeling about this one. We're more committed than ever to the cause of real, honest, no bullshit heavy metal. No trends, no fucking around!"

Metal Alliance Tour 2012 will run from March 15th - April 21st, featuring DEVILDRIVER, THE FACELESS, DYING FETUS, JOB FOR A COWBOY, 3 Inches Of Blood and IMPENDING DOOM.

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