IGNITOR hails from Texas, USA. This is band`s eight full-length album, the album which honours the very fact the band was formed 21 years ago. “Horns And Hammers” is IGNITOR`s second release for Metal on Metal (“The Golden Age of Black Magick” was out in 2020).
In my view, “Horns And Hammers” aligns perfectly with Metal On Metal`s spirit and I will tell you something else: this label is getting stronger and stronger with each and every release of theirs.
Ok, so, as for this album`s content, I am impressed with how energetic these songs are. You can easily tell how much fun these guys have playing music, no doubt.
IGNITOR, like good wine, gets better and better with age – and yet, at the same time, their music still sounds very fresh anf original! “Horns And Hammers” is undeniably deeply rooted in the 80s…and this is a good thing because what we have here is a solid dose of old school metal – the way it should be, right?
IGNITOR are inspired by such metal tycoons as ICED EARTH, JAG PANZER, ATTACKER, PRIMAL FEAR or JUDAS PRIEST. The riffs on this album are massive and powerful.
Sparky guitar solos and very unique vocals by Jason Mc Master (what a spectrum of frequencies ranging from these a`la Tim “Ripper” Owens to far more aggressive, more throaty vocals) make this album sound rich and excellent.
His vibrato is what his trademark is. Truly noteworthy. The album`s production is simply top-notch.
These songs sound very classic and organic.
I would say the recording session resulted in a fairly pure but not overly clear sound, and I do enjoy this kind of approach. Interestingly, although this album was created this year, yet, these tracks sound old school to the bone.
The opening song (“Horns And Hammers”) was a good choice to start this album with.
It is very speedy, like some unstoppable hurricane. It is also very energetic and this is why this song is a perfect opening one; truly classic heavy metal with ultra-fast guitar work in the JUDAS PRIEST vein.
I love music like this, I really do. “Imperial Bloodlines” is next and this song`s mid-tempos are very much JUDAS PRIEST`ish too, and still, very energetic too. This song prepares us for what comes next and what comes next is “Cyber Crush.”
I will tell you this cut is going to be a perfect concert song. It just has plenty of this unique “live show energy” and the choirs it features are perfect for live shows, plain and simple. “Shattered Crosses” stands for a solid dose of heavy metal; even the most reluctant to this sort of music will be impressed by these mid and slow-paced riffs. And the rhythm section…well, it is just magical.
The way Billy Dansfiell handles his bass guitar is just something else: finesse and utterly skilfulness are the two best words to describe this guy.
The choirs a`la JUDAS PRIEST are stunning, to say the least. “Taking up with Serpents” kills totally, this is another killer song this album features. “Ferocious the Martyrs” stands for a perfectly well-oiled music machine.
This song is darn good, with pulsating, soothing bass guitar lines and Hammond`s organs.
I would say this track appears almost hypnotic to me. “Suicide Anthem” is another good cut. “Chaos Maximus Eternal” announces this album is slowly coming to its end.
A lot of condensed, pulsating energy here, however, at the same time, this song is not overly fast. “Terminus” is the last song on “Horns And Hammers” and there is definitely some black metal tint to it.
A good song to end this album, that’s for sure.
This edition also features an extra live song: “Hell Shall Be Your Home.” Claudio Bergamin (PARADOX, AT WAR, CAGE and JUDAS PRIEST) was responsible for the layout.
It is indeed difficult to select 2-3 best songs from this album since it is quite even.
No fillers or leftovers of any sort. It all looks and sounds very noble. A truly powerful album to enjoy.
Necro
