Ignite – A War Against You

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been almost a decade since Ignite released their landmark album, Darkest Days.  In the interim, the Californian melodic punk act teased new material every couple years, but frontman Zoli Téglás’ brief stint in Pennywise as frontman put somewhat of a wrench in any new recording plans until his departure.  Finally an album title was announced, and finally a firm release date was set.  Still, there was some disbelief stemming from Ignite’s constant delays, begging parallels to Guns N’ Roses’ ill fated Chinese Democracy.  

The thing about albums that take too long to see the light of day is that the community and fans tend to assume a sort of mythical, album of the year quality to be the outcome.  This is seldom the case.  In fact, a lot can change in a decade for a band, and more often than not, fans get an album that differs significantly from the album they thought they wanted or would receive; such is the case of Ignite’s comeback effort, A War Against You.  

For A War Against You, Ignite puts their best foot forward by heightening many of their previous musical characteristics, but does so in a way that veers off from Darkest Days significantly.  While the Ignite you may know and remember tended to exist in the precarious middle ground between Rise Against and Strung Out, the Ignite of today embraces their metal edge above and beyond that of past efforts.  This doesn’t just mean upping the number of high flying solos every few tracks, but also encompasses Zoli operating vocally at a level of piercing highs with more in common with the power metal of their home on the Century Media roster than shoulder to shoulder with their former SoCal brethren.  In other words, the tempo feels more hard rock than punk, and the vocals wouldn’t sound out of place in an Auxel Rudi Pel album.

A War Against You puts forth similar mechanics as Ignite’s previous endeavors, but synthesises them quite differently.  Right from the start, the shrill, piercing call of “Begin Again” and “Nothing Can Stop Me” channels the iconic highs of theatrical power metal.  The effect comes across squeaky clean without as much as a grain of imperfection, which is a minor but significant departure in Zoli’s vocal delivery.  How fans will receive the change really depends on their preferences, but it’s safe to assume that those looking for something more in line with Pennywise will be left somewhat askew when the band fires up for one of many searing solos and soaring vocal bridges.  By and large, the bulk of A War Against You aligns with this faction without hesitation or reserve.

Echoes of the Ignite of decades past surface primarily when drummer Brett Rasmussen unleashes a thumping, unruly beat.  Take the title track for instance, which undergoes a break from clean delivery for a more ragged outcome.  The political activist message roars to life with plenty of sweeping melodic choruses and shared bouts of gang vocals that lead into faint “woah-oah” at the tail end of phrases.  “If this is liberation then we’re all insane,” shouts Zoli in the aptly titled “Oh No Not Again,” sparking the flame of a classic “Ignite” marching anthem.  Perhaps the most meaningful song on the album, “Where I’m From,” also serves as an undeniable lyrical highlight.  “I’m still a small town, hardcore refugee, so proud of where I’m from,” sings Zoli, as he pridefully connects with his humble Hungarian roots.  Even with some of the changes mentioned earlier, the shear passion and genuineness of the prideful immigrant call overcomes many of the prior shortcomings of Ignite’s stylistic shift.

When a much anticipated album finally comes to light, people tend to judge it for what it isn’t rather than what it is.  While I’m somewhat guilty of such an offense, the clear change in alignment between Darkest Days and A War Against You will be met by fans with mixed reactions.  While there’s no fault in moving beyond a saturated decade old sound, the newly active Ignite is certainly for a new audience.  And if A War Against You is any indication, this new fanbase can only grow as Ignite remains fully committed to giving their all in every note.