https://metalonmetalrecords.com

NEW ALBUM:

"HORNS AND HAMMERS"

Returning with their latest call-to-arms, Texas metal warlords IGNITOR are once again battle-ready with the release of their eighth studio album, "Horns and Hammers". They raised the bar high with its predecessor, but have managed to surpass it in terms of varied songwriting, clever arrangements and storm-the-gates delivery full of dramatic power and fury. Honoring their influences, they mix raging US power and classic heavy metal, spike it with the intricate dynamics and melodies of NWOBHM, and add a pinch of thrash along with the atmospheric textures of prog metal. Although the band has been around since 2003, one listen will make you swear they've been forging metal since the '80s, also because of their respect for tradition in their sound. Charging and pounding like clashing titans, the five-piece always delivers with shuddering impact. This metal onslaught boasts blistering, soaring, yet often hoarse vocals from veteran screamer Jason McMaster, scorching dual melodic leads, solid riffs and enough thunder to plunder you asunder. If you grew up listening to bands like ATTACKER, DIO, RIOT, SAXON, JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, ACCEPT, JAG PANZER, RAVEN, and also love SKULLVIEW, ASKA, CAGE or PHANTOM-X, you can't go wrong with this one.

RELEASE DATE:
October 2024

BIOGRAPHY:
IGNITOR formed in Austin, Texas, in 2003 with legendary AGONY COLUMN guitarist Stuart "Batlord" Laurence, Brendon Bigelow (DEATH OF MILLIONS) on bass, Beverly Barrington on guitar, Pat Doyle (OFFENDERS) on drums and vocalist Erika Swinnich (AUTUMN TEARS). They wanted to write music reflecting their passion for heavy, speed and power metal.

The band quickly attracted a worldwide fan base after releasing their debut album "Take to the Sky" featuring the hit "Demonslayer" in 2004 to rave reviews. Germany's Rock Hard magazine named it "Demo of the Month". Dies Irae (Brazil) said "IGNITOR take the world by storm, playing a furious Heavy/Speed Metal, joining the high class of veteran musicians and the powerful voice of Erika Swinnich."

IGNITOR performed at Mexico's Monterrey Metal Fest in May 2005, appearing alongside MOTORHEAD and DANZIG. Then onto Germany's Keep It True Festival in November 2005, where they stunned the crowd and were named "Best KIT Newcomer" by Mario's Metal Mania magazine.

In 2007, IGNITOR released "Road of Bones" (Cruz del Sur) featuring cover art by legendary MOTORHEAD collaborator Joe Petagno. Beverly was temporarily replaced by Annah Moore on guitar for this album. The band's sophomore effort is a deep dive into themes of pain, death and rebirth, culminating with their triumphant anthem "Reinheitsgebot" and its rallying cry "Metal is the Law!". Blabbermouth described IGNITOR: "This is the energetic, lusty sound of a new and eager band who are ridiculously fired up to be alive, no matter what the decade." IGNITOR toured heavily in support of the album, playing with PRIMAL FEAR and LEAVES EYES, and had a notable appearance at the Valley Thrash Fest in McAllen, Texas.

In 2008, Texas metal veteran Jason McMaster (WATCHTOWER, HOWLING SYCAMORE, DANGEROUS TOYS, BROKEN TEETH, EVIL UNITED) replaced Erika's wraith-Maiden wail with his demonic Texas drawl. The band released "The Spider Queen" (Cruz del Sur/Heavy Artillery) in 2009, a fairy tale of love and redemption. The band toured in support of the album, sharing stages with FATES WARNING and HELSTAR along the way.

In 2010, IGNITOR played the Metal Up Your Tap Fest in Chicago along with Cruz del Sur label mates BIBLE OF THE DEVIL.

2012 saw the release of "Year of the Metal Tiger" (MVD Audio) featuring fan favorite "Heavy Metal Holocaust" and the eerie polytheism of "Shadow of the Needle". "...a fiery album of traditional, hot-wired metal that's intensely passionate and utterly authentic." - Backstage Auctions.

IGNITOR released "Mix Tape '85" in 2013, a cover collection of beloved favorites from Anthrax, Accept, Exciter, Mercyful Fate, Venom, Judas Priest, Exodus and Deep Purple, recalling the peak years for thrash and heavy metal. 2013 also saw the inauguration of IGNITOR's occasionally-annual Iron Fist Fest in their hometown of Austin, featuring WITCHES MARK.

The next two years produced some line-up changes. Beverly was replaced by Robert Williams (WITCHES MARK) and Brendon was replaced by Billy "Chainsaw" Dansfiell (AGONY COLUMN) cementing IGNITOR's current line-up.

In May 2016, IGNITOR performed at the Ragnarokkr Metal Apocalypse in Chicago along with TYGERS OF PAN TANG, JAG PANZER and LEATHER LEONE. The Iron Fist Fest returned in 2016 too, featuring BYFIST and DEATH OF MILLIONS alongside IGNITOR.

In 2017, IGNITOR released "Years of War 2008 - 2013", an anthology of the band's releases during those years in a limited edition boxed set including rare promo discs and assorted items from their merchandise shop.

2017 also saw the release of the IGNITOR's sixth album "Haunted by Rock & Roll" (EMP Label Group). The song "Hatchet: The Ballad of Victor Crowley" is heard during the closing credits of the horror slasher "Victor Crowley" from Ariescope Pictures. Director Adam Green produced a NSFW video of the song featuring some key gory scenes from the movie. The band produced three other companion videos featuring the songs "No Sanctuary", "Brave the War" and "Haunted by Rock & Roll". Roppongi Rocks said "IGNITOR serves us an extra large portion of terrific heavy metal on its new album." "The New Wave of British Heavy Metal deserves a locally designated acronym thanks to IGNITOR." - Austin Chronicle.

The band returned to Chicago in July 2018 for the Alehorn of Power X festival, appearing alongside ZÜÜL and BIBLE OF THE DEVIL. IGNITOR appeared again in July at the Iron Fist Fest 3 with James Rivera's METAL ASYLUM and Austin's own DUEL. Iron Fist Fest 4's ten-band billing in 2019 featured IGNITOR, HELSTAR and ANGKOR WAT.

In early 2020, IGNITOR finished the work on their seventh album. After contacting Metal on Metal Records and sending the new songs, they got a positive response and soon the agreement was reached. "The Golden Age of Black Magick" was finally released on October 31st on CD and all major digital platforms. The vinyl edition was released in 2022 via Metalworld.

In January 2020, right before the worldwide pandemic, IGNITOR recorded a live set at Kick Butt Coffee in Austin, TX. Almost one year later, in January 2021, the band self-released that set on a CD called "Live... Before the Plague".

Like most of the planet, IGNITOR spent 2020-2021 hiding out from the pandemic. Luckily, that provided ample opportunity to write and hone new material. The band played a few shows here and there as venues began opening back up in 2022 and 2023, but spent most of the time writing and preparing to record their next album.

Recording for the eighth IGNITOR studio album, "Horns and Hammers" began in Fall 2023 and was finished in May 2024. It's released on CD and Bandcamp via Metal on Metal Records on October 3rd with a song off the live album as a bonus track. Later on, an American edition will be out through Revolt Vinyl Records featuring a cover of SAXON "Machine Gun" with Ross "the Boss" Friedman (DEATH DEALER, ROSS THE BOSS, DICTATORS, ex-MANOWAR...) and Marc Lopes (ROSS THE BOSS, METAL CHURCH, ex-MELIAH RAGE...) as special guests. A Metalworld vinyl edition is planned for late 2024 as well. IGNITOR strive to inject both power and passion into their craft with every performance, keeping the flames of heavy metal stoked and smoldering for the gathered masses.