Customer Reviews

A Place Called Home

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Burning down the stereo-type that a SoCal punk band has to sellout to the whims of a fickle, corporate radio vibe and a chorus ofteeny-bopper chants in order to claim success, Ignite set fire to hearts and minds with an OCHC offering every fan will call home. Every bit of punk inspired hardcore energy that bled forth on the now landmark Call On My Brothers (Revelation Records) shines forth on Ignite's TVT debut with a new breath. Continuing to stake a claim on the marred socio-political landscape surrounding them, Ignite beckon education and understanding, bringing to light controversies both past and present with a very personal tilt. Building on the socially conscious stand they take lyrically, Ignite express their opinions with an aggressive hardcore edge that is as up front and straight forward musically as the lyrics it embraces. Zoli's shrill punk-inspired emotional wails melt into memorable sing-along melodies and are supported with chant along choruses built around the point-along ritual of hardcore excitement. Layer under that driving double-time explosions that fall off into weighty breakdowns inspiring slamming bodies and old-school circle pits. However, the polished and almost over-produced sound on A Place Called Home belts the listener with shimmering choruses, ultra-crisp guitar riffs and thick, nearly mechanical breakdowns that could be construed as sterile to those used to the more emotionally strained variations of the genre. That is not to say that Ignite are devoid of any inspiration. On the contrary, the fuller production allows the band to develop the strength of their writing with songs which echo in the ear beyond the scope of the CD. Come to this place burning with educational desires and explosive expressions called Ignite and light the home fires before you get burned by the pop-inspired, socio-political void closing in on your musical being.

Yes, as an earlier reviewer stated, metal fans will certainly like this release a lot. And that's chiefly because the vocals are highly reminiscent of the infamous blonde-mulleted dwarf Udo, of ludicrous German metal band Accept. Ignite have had a few singers in their time, but they seem to have settled on the Hungarian born Zoli Teglas. This is a man who holds notes like an opera singer, using the technique favoured by late 80's bands like The Scorpions, Cinderella and of course Accept. Fortunately the music does not follow suit. In this department Ignite truly shine, coming across with some great melodies mixed with sing-a-long Youth Crew back-ups.

Lyrically wise, Ignite decide against pushing out the boundries in favour of the tried and tested 'standard ' hardcore formulas i.e. having no regrets, showing respect etc. etc. So if your into tuneful melodic hardcore with slightly silly vocals this is a pretty solid release. Fans might like to check out Accept - "Fast As A Shark", "London Leather Boys" etc. , anything by Overkill (especially "Horrorscope"), and maybe some early Van Halen.

As Ignite will return with new CD this spring along with tour with Comeback Kid, I have to appreciate how invaluable this CD has been in my mp3 player for the past 5 years. Usually when I bought the hardcore cds I stopped listening them after a half year or so. Having said that, this Ignite's "A Place Called Home" has stayed my rotation list for years and I could not be bored listening it over and over. I must stress that this is not only great hardcore album but excellent ROCK album. Personally, the latter half of the CD is just amazing. Usually, Ignite is known for the fast-melodic band, but I love their mellow songs, such as "Be My Side", "Pieter", and "Bullets Included"-these songs illustrate how profesisonal their songwriting has been. I hope their new album would follow same direction as "A Place Called Home."

Ignite's new album is probably the best cd I've ever heard. From the first song to the last, Ignite goes off. Why these guys aren't bigger than Bon Jovi and all over MTV I have no idea. There needs to be more rockstar justice in the world.

Wow, where to begin. This is one of my all-time favourite albums. The vocals are hard to get past at first, as I've never heard a punk/metal/or hardcore vocalist actually sing. Not only does Zoli actually sing, but he does it well. His words have the intensity of most of the music from the scene, but the added touch is the beauty of it. If punk is raw aggression, and metal is pure anger, then Ignite is pure passion. The songs are heartfelt, and you never feel as though it isn't sincere. The band has a lot to say, and unlike many two-faced hypocrites, I believe in Ignite. If you want to expand your Hardcore collection in a radically new direction - buy this album. If you are new to the scene and checking it out - BUY THIS ALBUM. Nothing I have heard in the past 10 years has been this radical (aside from what the Pilfers were to ska). Totally progressive. I can't recommend this album enough.

I love this band, and this is the only place that I could find the CD after loosing my first copy. Thank goodness for amazon and glad to have IGNITE to listen to in my car again!

I know the singer personally, and never thought I'd love the CD and all of the band's lyrics and song so much. I'd recommend it to anyone out there that appreciates music.

First of all, Ignite shouldn't be even compared to Nickelback! They aren't a bar band. And its a totally different Genre.I have listened to "A place called home" for several years and it has become one of my favorites. My band has played with Ignite and they are awesome live and worth respecting. Chugga

I just have to comment on this guy claiming the lyrics are worthless; they're just not.
A phrase out of 'run': (about child abuse)
The nightmares are our memories
The broken homes and noses that bleed
Afraid to stay nowhere to turn
Domestic violence tragedies.
Run! Run! Run!
Keep on beating them down!
What could make you so mad,
To beat your own children?

A phrase out of 'bullets included': (about the gunlaws)
Put down your gun punk,
put up your dukes son.
Why can't you be a man?
Fight me one on one!
Don't need guns or knives to hide behind.
Bullets included, no thought required...

I think those two are pretty complex issues for a song and the lyrics they've come up with are very well put. I think Ignite has in Zoli, apart from an excellent singer, one of the best hardcore-songwriters.

I'm not the one to give 5 stars easily, but this is just THE best cd in this genre I heard in a long time.

Btw, check them out if they're coming near you, they're awesome live aswell.

If you like your hardcore to have a melodic edge, then I can guarantee you will love this. Combining the power and the hard edge of hardcore, and the catchy tunes of west coast punk rock, this is an album that effortlessly bridges the genres. The standout track is probably `veteran', as this is a really addictive little song that stays in you head for days and deserves to be a huge hit. However, this is a very consistent disc and there are plenty of other highlights, including `Run', `Who sold out now?', `No regrets' and the excellent title track, which is my personal favourite. Although this is a well produced and accessible album don't accuse the band of selling out, the lyrics are political and issue based and although some of the songs are really melodic it is just an example of the bands songwriting skills, unlike some `punk' bands who write songs with MTV in mind.