The band's over-the-top lyrical style and high-pitched (which were based on the vocals of the band The Winter Massacre), Rob Halford meets Udo Dirkschneider -esque vocals, combined with their appearance in official photos, which owes more to modern "scene" fashion and clothing labels such as Atticus, have lead some to dub them as a parody of the classic heavy metal acts they claim to seek to give tribute to. When questioned on this, vocalist Cam Pipes gave the following statement: "Just because we're a bunch of young guys singing about the greatness of heavy metal doesn't mean we're some joke band." .
Interestingly, when performing live, the band dresses far more in the manner you would expect a heavy metal band.
Revenge Is a Vulture
3 Inches of Blood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
to the death they will defend if an enemy comes forth
corruption rears its ugly, feeds a traitors mind
stab the back remains, to break the oath
this ancient bond of trust shattered by a fool
upon betrayal, all thoughts turn to...
revenge...revenge is a vulture
take him for everything hes got
he wont know what he had until its lost
revenge
the stage is set, a battlefield, victory or death
valor will prevail against an insult to your name
an alliance failed, the oath remains no more
this allegiance based on trust has become war
the birds of prey shall feast on carrion
as their world cumbles
revenge - revenge is a vulture
deceivers flesh ripped off his wretched bones
revenge - revenge is a vulture
his head placed on a pike for all to see
a lesson learned for all of the usurpers to the throne
bridges burned, honour lost, forever damn his kind
forever damn his kind
victory will be ours, their treachery returned
a shallow grave awaits
forever damn his kind
a shallow grave awaits
The lyrics of 3 Inches of Blood's song Revenge is a Vulture describes a once sacred and strong bond between two allies, forged in blood and committed to defending one another to the death. However, corruption finds its way into the pact and causes one of the allies to betray the other. This treachery completely shatters the bond of trust, and the betrayed ally turns their thoughts to revenge. The stage is set for a battle where victory or death is the only outcome. The betrayed ally seeks revenge and will take everything the traitor has until they realize what they have lost. The lyrics also describe the punishment that will be inflicted on the one who betrayed the sacred bond - their flesh will be ripped off their bones, their head placed on a pike for all to see, and they will be forever damned.
The lyrics contain themes of honor, loyalty, trust, betrayal, revenge, and punishment. The song emphasizes the importance of keeping one's word and the consequences that come with breaking it. It also suggests that revenge is a powerful motivator and can bring forth consequences that are irreversible. The lyrics create an image of a battlefield where honor and loyalty are valued above all, and those who betray these values will face severe consequences. The vulture symbolizes death and decay, hinting at the finality of the retribution sought by the betrayed ally.
Line by Line Meaning
a sacred pact signed in blood, two allies strong in war
Two partners joined together in agreement by means of a sacredly signed blood pact. They know that they will protect one another until death if someone declares war against them.
to the death they will defend if an enemy comes forth
The agreement between these two partners is so strong and sacred that they're willing to fight to the death to defend each other if an enemy ever comes against them.
corruption rears its ugly, feeds a traitors mind
The presence of corruption only fuels the minds of those who would betray their partners.
stab the back remains, to break the oath
When someone betrays their partner, they're essentially stabbing them in the back and breaking the sacred oath they swore to uphold.
this ancient bond of trust shattered by a fool
A foolish person has destroyed the ancient and sacred bond of trust between these two partners.
upon betrayal, all thoughts turn to... revenge...revenge is a vulture
When someone betrays their partner, the only thing left to do is to seek revenge. Revenge is like a vulture that preys on the defeat of your enemies.
take him for everything hes got
The goal of revenge is to take everything from the betrayer.
he wont know what he had until its lost
The betrayer will only realize what he's lost once everything is taken from him.
the stage is set, a battlefield, victory or death
The revenge will play out on a battlefield, where only one side will emerge victorious. The other side faces the possibility of death.
valor will prevail against an insult to your name
Courage will triumph over any insult made against you and your reputation.
an alliance failed, the oath remains no more
The alliance between these two partners has failed. The oath they swore to uphold is now null and void.
this allegiance based on trust has become war
The allegiance that was once based on trust has been turned into a full-blown war.
the birds of prey shall feast on carrion
The birds of prey (symbolic of those seeking revenge) will feast on their fallen enemies (symbolic of the betrayer).
as their world cumbles
As the betrayer's world falls apart, the vengeful party gains strength.
deceivers flesh ripped off his wretched bones
The betrayer will suffer a gruesome fate, with their flesh being torn from their bones.
his head placed on a pike for all to see
The betrayer's head will be placed on a pike for all to bear witness to their fate as a warning to others who would betray in the future.
a lesson learned for all of the usurpers to the throne
This serves as a lesson to any who would try to take what rightfully belongs to another.
bridges burned, honour lost, forever damn his kind
The bridges have been burned and honor lost between these two partners. The betrayer and anyone like them are condemned to a fate of eternal damnation.
victory will be ours, their treachery returned
The vengeful party is determined to emerge victorious by returning the treachery that was dealt to them.
a shallow grave awaits
For the betrayer, there is nothing but a shallow grave waiting for them.
forever damn his kind
The betrayer and anyone like them will never rise again because they are eternally condemned.
a shallow grave awaits
The betrayer's fate has been sealed, and they will soon be laid to rest in a shallow grave.
Contributed by Elliot L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Galbatorix Hacks
A sacred pact signed in blood, two allies strong in war
To the death they will defend if an enemy comes forth
Corruption rears it's ugly head, feed a traitors mind
Stab in the back remains, to break the oath
This ancient bond of trust shattered by a fool
Upon betrayal, all thoughts turn to...
Revenge - Revenge is a vulture
Take him for everything he's got
Revenge - Revenge is a vulture
He won't know what he had until it's lost
Revenge!
The stage is set, a battlefield, victory or death
Valor will prevail against an insult to you name
An alliance failed, the oath remains no more
This allegiance based on trust has become war
The birds of prey shall feast on carrion
As their world crumbles
Revenge - Revenge is a vulture
Deceiver's flesh ripped off his wretched bones
Revenge - Revenge is a vulture
His head placed on a pike for all to see
A lesson learned for all of the usurpers to the throne
Bridges burned, honour lost, forever damn his kind
Forever damn his kind
Victory will be ours, their treachery returned
A shallow grave awaits
Forever damn his kind
A shallow grave awaits
Hyenatempest
Your just jealous that no matter what you do, what you accomplish in this life, be it scientific achievement or martial prowess, you will never be as awesome as this song. No matter what you become, you will always live in the shadow of this 3 inches of blood, forever a transparent breeze to the mountain that is metal.
Ryan Paul
This song fucking RULES.
Galbatorix Hacks
A sacred pact signed in blood, two allies strong in war
To the death they will defend if an enemy comes forth
Corruption rears it's ugly head, feed a traitors mind
Stab in the back remains, to break the oath
This ancient bond of trust shattered by a fool
Upon betrayal, all thoughts turn to...
Revenge - Revenge is a vulture
Take him for everything he's got
Revenge - Revenge is a vulture
He won't know what he had until it's lost
Revenge!
The stage is set, a battlefield, victory or death
Valor will prevail against an insult to you name
An alliance failed, the oath remains no more
This allegiance based on trust has become war
The birds of prey shall feast on carrion
As their world crumbles
Revenge - Revenge is a vulture
Deceiver's flesh ripped off his wretched bones
Revenge - Revenge is a vulture
His head placed on a pike for all to see
A lesson learned for all of the usurpers to the throne
Bridges burned, honour lost, forever damn his kind
Forever damn his kind
Victory will be ours, their treachery returned
A shallow grave awaits
Forever damn his kind
A shallow grave awaits
Chivas6
Someone reassure me that I'm the only person still rockin' out to 3IOB!
Brian McAlpine
Here with you buddy, the versus lead guitar is one of the most beautiful things ever
DRUNKTANKPUNKS
3IOB for life!
Un known
Recently Found out about them thanks to IGN! So yeah! :"D WOOHOO!
Space Tuna
@Un known IGN? lol didn't expect that.
Un known
@Space Tuna Oh yeah! Go check the video Out. Its Dave Mustaine that Mentions them. Lol!
December
The lead guitar here is godly