The amount of change within a decade is truly astounding. In the span of just a few years Germany hosted the World Cup, one of the biggest social media sites ever Twitter is launched and the birth of the iPhone. Already with the massive advances in technology we find ourselves capable of doing things we never thought possible. Laying the foundations firmly with their now cult classic Our Darkest Days, the slow moving quintet start it all over again with the release of their ten years in the making A War Against You.
[tracklist]
1. Begin Again
2. Nothing Can Stop Me
3. This Is A War
4. Oh No Not Again
5. Alive
6. You Saved Me
7. Rise Up
8. Where I’m From
9. The Suffering
10. How Is This Progress
11. You Lie
12. Descend
13. Work
[/tracklist]
[details]
[length]44:00[/length]
[record_label]Century Media Records[/record_label]
[release_date]January 8th 2016[/release_date]
[/details]
As the the needle hits we’re immediately thrust back into the time capsule of Ignite. Ten years may well have gone by but in the world of the Orange County posi kings it seems like the blink of an eye. The Freddy Mercury-esque introduction of “Begin Again” hitting the ground running it’s a short, simple statement that Ignite have returned. Their hibernation period now over there is no question that the quintet are and always be the pinnacle of posi hardcore. Owing no doubt to singer Zoli’s beautifully crafted choruses with hooks bigger than Peter Pan’s arch nemesis.
Quite nothing prepares for shining example of “Nothing Can Stop Me“, combining raw energy with a sense of passion and emotion the band are firing on every cylinder going. Impeccable song writing, creating anticipation using the simple device of dynamics creates a sense of tension. Regardless of subject matter, from “Oh No Not Again” discussing the atrocities of war or the patriotic anthem of “Where I’m From” where Teglas‘ infectiously charming lyrics flirt between absolute sincerity all the while serenading the listener. In part due to the singer’s unorthodox background has no doubt led to some of the mystique behind Ignite. Having spoken to Brett and revealed in fact the inflection of a certain word can change its entire meaning in Hungarian perhaps this might be an unlikely attribute to Teglas‘ unbeatable, rallying secret weapon.
Production wise the album works perfectly, the throaty bass tones coupled with young fast almost pop punk style drumming of “Alive” conjure a sense of undying youth. Much may have changed between the band’s last records but with nostalgia of gang vocals and positive messages brings back a sense of life so often puffed out of the old and wheezing Hardcore heavy weights reliant on their back catalogue for their fan base. Ignite instead challenge these ideals combining brilliant song writing with issues that not only affect the band but no doubt their listeners just as well.
No doubt having melody as one their most important left hooks their equally just as devastating right hook is energy. Known for its presence live, Hardcore can often lose its stamina in a stereo envirintment, instead A War Against You once again kicks dirt up in the face of the conventional. Brilliant bridges of “You Saved Me” are instant classics going down the likes of “Three Years” or the primed to ignition calling of “Rise Up“. Having said that the band arent all bark and no bite, “You Lie” pointing it’s accusatory metaphorical finger and delivers a decisive blow or the blink and you’ll miss it “The Suffering” combining Teglas‘ brilliant vocals with fast paced melody it’s a fantastic change of pace. Just as the band can be confrontational so can they be beautifully honest and sympathetic. Describing the struggles of waiting in a nine to five job “Work” single handedly applies to so many of the downtrodden in a personal style a defiant cry of tenacity.
Life may move at a fast pace but there some things that never change. A War Against You brings with it themes that are as old as time itself. The brotherhood of the community, the constant struggle of war and of course celebrating the brighter moments of life. The fuse is lit and Ignite are about to explode with this absolute masterpiece, get well inside it’s blast radius!
[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]Time so often being music’s double edged sword. A band can be timeless or easily forgotten, returning with A War Against You, Ignite have not only stated time is no obstacle but shall never be forgotten. Welcome back. [/why]
If you fancy waging A War Against You then you can pick up a copy of the brand new record here!
