IGNITOR

Citing influences like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Metallica, Lone Star State rockers Ignitor deliver concussive blasts of purist, NWOBHM-inspired metal. Based out of Austin and founded in 2003 around the talents of vocalist Erika Tandy, guitarists Stuart Lawrence (ex-Agony Column) and Beverly Barrington, bassist Brendon Bigelow, and drummer Pat Doyle, the group released a six-track EP, Take to the Sky, in 2004, then replaced Barrington with new guitarist Annah Moore. After issuing an eponymous full-length debut independently in 2004, the band inked a deal with Cruz Del Sur Music and released their sophomore long player, 2007's Road Of Bones. That same year saw the departures of Tandy and Moore, and the arrivals of founding member Barrington and new vocalist Jason McMaster (Watchtower, Dangerous Toys). The band's third full-length outing, The Spider Queen, arrived in 2009, followed in 2012 by the MVD Entertainment-issued Year of the Metal Tiger. ~ James Christopher Monger