With the explosion of so-called ‘retro’ metal acts nowadays like ICARUS WITCH, FLYING V MASSACRE and PHARAOH along with the resurgence classic bands like MEGADETH and EXODUS, the old-school thrashers have a lot to smile about. The latest offering from Austin, Texas thrashers IGNITOR is no exception; old school to the bone (pun intended), or is it?

The disc starts with a track/intro called “Death on the Road” featuring some Slavic guy yelling. But from there, it's all twin guitars, and riff madness. Fans of James Rivera and HELSTAR will be right at home here. Vocals are at the forefront and hitting all the high notes, just like Rivera and even fellow Austin native Jason McMaster (WATCHTOWER). Wait, there’s more - former WATCHTOWER vocalist Alan Teccio was also in SEVEN WITCHES, a band that featured James Rivera on vocals. OK, this is getting creepy. Kevin Bacon is coming to mind. Anyway, back to the music. The vocals on ‘Road of Bones’ are masterfully handled by one Erika Swinnich. Yeah, that’s right, a member of the fairer sex. Plus, one of those twin guitars is shredded by Annah Moore. No, it is not GIRLSCHOOL or L7, but for a band that plays old-school metal tunes like this, it is something of a rarity. Don’t let this distract you, ya chauvinists! The disc is a killer through and through.

Here’s the catch: “Road of Bones” worships the classics, perhaps a bit too much. Young bands with this kind of attitude and skill often turn into great bands once their flair of originality comes out. This is a great record, but it can be very predictable at times, especially with song structure and Erika’s singing 'following the rules’ too much. Love the PRIEST and MAIDEN worship, but we really don’t need another PRIEST or MAIDEN. Draft and follow this band though, there are big things on the horizon.

- Murtaugh

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/ignitor

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