Austin (TX) – Texas metal titans IGNITOR have released the official video for “Horns and Hammers,” the title track from their new album. Check it out at youtu.be/bVmcn2ODFyw
“’Horns and Hammers’ is classic IGNITOR, a battle ready power thrash metal anthem, that sets the stage for the rest of the album,” says drummer Pat Doyle. Fresh off his recent induction into the Metal Hall of Fame along with his bandmates in Dangerous Toys, Jason McMaster notes “A great time was had in the making of this track. The thrash influence is prominent, but to make it anthemic, felt natural. Very much a sort of angry Iron Maiden sound, makes it a favorite of mine. We have worked with Steve Miller and his productions before, so this made it easy to know what to expect. He killed it, and we are proud of this feature video. Steve has created a fantastical backdrop using Claudio’s art as well as some snippets created by our own founder, Stuart Laurence. This team effort, with alot of it taken on by Steve, made for over the top and very metal visions that this track offers lyrically, to come to life on screen.”
Produced by Steve Miller, the video incorporates the original artwork from the album cover by Claudio Bergamin. Pre-orders for the North American CD version of Horns and Hammers, which includes a cover version of Saxon’s “Machine Gun,” can be placed at: revoltvinylrecords.com/pre-orders.
The European CD and digital versions are available at: metalonmetalrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ignitor-horns-and-hammers
Find all IGNITOR music and merch at www.ignitorband.com
“Insanely impressive, impossibly intricate and magnificently metallic.” (10/10)
– Jenny Tate (Rock Queen Reviews)
“Ignitor’s Horns and Hammers could be one of the best pure Heavy Metal records of 2024.” (4.5/5)
– Cryptic Rock
“A true banger from start to finish!” (4.8/5)
– KNAC.com
“A great record for just plain headbanging enjoyment!”
– Wormwood Chronicles
“Those who prefer their metal clad in denim and leather will raise their horns and hammers in rejoice over Horns and Hammers. It’s top notch traditional metal from start to finish, played by top notch dudes.”
– Defenders of the Faith
“In 2024 it’s incredibly hard to pull off traditional heavy metal without sounding like a smug ironist or a bone headed nostalgia freak. Somehow Ignitor manage to make this music sound fresh and relevant but, also, important.”
– Sentinel Daily
“The songwriting sounds wonderfully fresh and rousing. A very strong album!”
– Neckbreaker
“As a world-class heavy metal act with years of experience, it truly shows in their music.”
– The NWOTHM
“Really good songs. The content is rich, diverse, with plenty of elements to discover in each and every listening session.”
– Forgotten Scroll
“Bands like IGNITOR ensure that the traditionalist metal underground is alive and thriving.”
– Powermetal.de
“A strong new offering from the neo-classic heavy metal act. It is a record that will appeal to a wide range of metal fans.”
– Phil’s Picks
“On Horns And Hammers we hear handmade, authentic heavy metal.”
– Crossfire Metal
“Overall, this is the album that simply celebrates metal. Horns And Hammers is a really nice way to mark the 20-year anniversary of a band.”
– Abbadon Magazine
Another storm-the-gates, metal onslaught, Horns and Hammers delivers all the dramatic power and fury that landed previous albums Haunted by Rock ‘N’ Roll and The Golden Age of Black Magick in the hallowed realms of Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate, Raven, Dio, Accept and other legendary keepers of the metal creed.
From the title track’s speed-metal war cry and the Maiden-esque “Imperial Bloodlines” to the cowbell-driven “Shattered Crosses” and the 70s-inspired heavy metal of “Ferocious the Martyrs” (featuring guest keyboardist Gabriel Guardian of Immortal Guardian) the 11-track Horns and Hammers
is a mighty mix of classic heavy metal spiked with NWOBHM, thrash, power metal and the atmospheric textures of prog-metal and fantasy.
“We raised the bar high with our last two albums so we couldn’t settle for anything less than a full-on metal assault,” said founding guitarist Stuart “Batlord” Laurence. “We’ve always honored our influences,
but we’re also very insistent that our music – first and foremost – sounds like IGNITOR. With Horns and Hammers, we’ve covered the spectrum of metal and taken Ignitor to a whole new level.”
Fronted by the soaring vocals of Jason McMaster (Watchtower, Dangerous Toys, Broken Teeth), IGNITOR’s strength is further forged by guitarist Robert Williams , bassist Billy “Chainsaw” Dansfiell and drummer Pat Doyle. Whether charging and pounding like clashing titans (“Dark Horse,” “Chaos Maximus Eternal”) or luring the listener into gothic tales of doom and deceit (“Suicide Anthem,” “Taken Up With Serpents”), IGNITOR delivers with shuddering impact.
“Robert brought a ton of songs and riff ideas to the table and Billy had some great ideas that blossomed into full-blown songs,” Laurence said. “Once we started jamming with Pat’s pummeling backbeat, we knew we had something special.”
“As the arrangements started coming together, I found myself completely immersed and inspired to come up with the lyrical themes and characters to carry the songs to completion,” McMaster added. “I’m really proud of the band’s individual and collective contributions, and I think we all agree that Horns and Hammers is a triumph by any measure.”
The album’s stunning cover art – featuring a medieval warrior and his mighty steed surveying a hellish killing field – comes courtesy of renowned fantasy/sci-fi artist Claudio Bergamin whose credits include
Judas Priest (Firepower), Burning Witches (The Witch of the North), Cassius King (Field Trip) and Klassik ’78 (Phantoms), among others.
Produced and mastered by Stuart “Batlord” Laurence at Emphatic Audio in Austin, TX, Horns and Hammers was mastered for vinyl by Cris Burns. “Hell Shall Be Your Home” was recorded live in Austin TX at Kick Butt Coffee in 2019, and engineered by Ernie Basaldua with mixing by
Stuart “Batlord” Laurence.
Track Listing:
1. Horns And Hammers
2. Imperial Bloodlines
3. Dark Horse
4. Cyber Crush
5. Shattered Crosses [Video]
6. Taking Up With Serpents
7. Ferocious The Martyrs
8. Suicide Anthem
9. Chaos Maximus Eternal
10. Machine Gun (Saxon cover)* [Video]
11. Terminous
*Note: “Hell Shall Be Your Home” appears on The Metal On Metal Records version.
All songs written, recorded and performed by Ignitor, except *“Machine Gun,” originally written, recorded and performed by Saxon, Carrere Music Ltd 1980.
Cover art by Claudio Bergamin.
Line-up:
Stuart “Batlord” Laurence – Guitar
Robert Williams – Guitar
Jason McMaster – Vocals
Billy “Chainsaw” Dansfiell – Bass
Pat Doyle – Drums
BIO:
IGNITOR formed in Austin, Texas in 2003 with legendary Agony Column guitarist Stuart Laurence, Brendon Bigelow on bass, Beverly Barrington on guitar, Pat Doyle (Offenders) on drums, and vocalist Erika Swinnich. The band wanted to write music reflecting their passion for heavy, speed, and power metal.
IGNITOR 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 Music) 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 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 Mixtape ’85 in 2013, a collection of beloved favorites recalling the peak years for thrash and heavy metal. The Metal Files said “…the opening solo on Into the Coven gave me chills when I first heard it.” 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 lineup changes. Beverly was replaced by Robert Williams (Witches Mark,) and Brendon was replaced by Billy “Chainsaw” Dansfiell (Agony Column) cementing IGNITOR’s current lineup.
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 box set, including rare promo discs and assorted items from the merchandise shop. The box set is only available from the band’s website ignitorband.com.
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
IGNITOR returned to Chicago in July 2018 for the Alehorn of Power X festival, appearing alongside Zuul 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 lineup 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 2020 on CD and all major digital platforms.
In January 2020 right before the worldwide pandemic, IGNITOR recorded a live set at Kick Butt Coffee in Austin. Later in the year the band self-released that set on a CD called Live…Before the Plague and posted it for sale on its website store.
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 began in Fall 2023 and was finished in May 2024 for the ninth IGNITOR album, Horns and Hammers (Metal on Metal). Horns and Hammers features some extra special guests – Ross “the Boss” Friedman (Dictators, Manowar,) Marc Lopes (Metal Church) and Gabriel Guardiola (Immortal Guardian). IGNITOR is especially proud of this album. The cover art was painted by Claudio Bergamin and depicts a weathered warrior in a brief moment of repose after a battle. It resembles the plight of true metal warriors like IGNITOR, who 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.
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