IGNITION is classic US power metal from the heart of the Ruhr area of Germany. They released the EP "We Are The Force" in 2016, which banged mightily in the Underground and thus attracted the attention of the metal scene. No wonder that their following records "Guided By The Waves" (2017) and "Call Of The Sirens" (2020) became hotly anticipated and successful albums, celebrated by the trade press at the time, and by fans even today, and have released their latest album "Vengeance" on September 15, 2023 by Doc Gator Records of which lead singer Dennis Marschallik says about the album "We have ventured with the album consciously into new realms, which you do not know from us so and will love anyway, from the gut and with a proper 'fuck it' attitude, we have taken off the blinders to other (sub)genres without denying our typical IGNITION trademarks.” The list of German metal heavyweights is long and storied, so I’ll give this album a listen with high hopes and anticipation.

Opening with a monstrous riff that explodes on “Ignite The Fire” that immediately had my ears perk up and a huge smile crossed my face as the raspy and raw vocals took centerstage and brought me gloriously back to my “heavy metal happy place”, where the world is filled with melodic and classic licks of blazing guitars, this is a great start to what I hope becomes a very meaningful relationship. “The Wounds That Cause The Pain” is an aggressive assault of guitar heavy chops that produce a piercing spike through your brain waves and an almost lethal vocal delivery of sheer metal exotic pleasure. “The Rise” is a dark, spooky rhythmic journey with raspy vocals over a deafening, lighting fast drum beat bolstered by a rapid and edgy riff. This song is a definite “pedal to the metal, no turning back” blast of high voltage heavy metal. Right back to the horror show on “We Were The Shieldwall” is a chanting, anthem laced chorus that is fueled by demonic vocals taking partnership with ripping guitar riffs and a thunderous backbeat that tramples anything in its way. The final track is appropriately titled  “The Final Hour” and takes us to the gallows pole with a simmering, bruising riff doused by the hypnotic vocals and lyrics.

Well, IGNITION did not let down their heavy metal countrymen with “Vengeance”  and their take no prisoners, not for the faint of heart approach of headbanging riffs, robust drum and bass supporting the impassioned vocals of Dennis Marschallik. There was an ever, so slight lean towards Thrash, without taking that leap. They delivered a high powered, meaty album that never loses steam or direction.