Returning with their latest call-to-arms, Texas metal warlords IGNITOR are once again battle-ready with the release of their eighth 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.
