IGNITE

In 2019, IGNITE, the punk and hardcore institution from Orange County, California, found itself at a crossroads. Over the course of 25 years, IGNITE had not only transformed their hardcore roots into the sound of a band that defies categorization, but had also become a force to be reckoned with on the global stage. With five albums under their belt, including the breakthrough “Our Darkest Days” from 2006 and “A War Against You” from 2016 (which debuted at No. 6 on the German album charts), as well as countless tours through Europe, North America, Australia, South America, and the Far East, the band’s core—bassist Brett Rasmussen, guitarists Nik Hill and Kevin Kilkenny, and drummer Craig Anderson—found themselves searching for a new voice. They were left without a singer. “It was never a question of whether we’d continue,” says Brett. “It was more about how we should move forward. How can IGNITE continue to grow as a band?” Against the backdrop of a world brought to a standstill by COVID and a nation engulfed in the flames of unrest, controversial politics, and cultural upheaval, the four members of IGNITE were not only searching for a new singer but also writing their most extensive collection of songs to date. “We went back to our roots and drew inspiration from our hardcore influences,” says Brett. “We also looked beyond where we’d left off on the last album and really worked on evolving musically and lyrically. We were inspired.”