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) 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.
IGNITOR have released seven albums since 2004, justly earning the
title of “Texas Metal Titans” among the North American metal community
in 2020
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