IGNITE

The terms "melodic" and "hardcore" tend to go together like oil and water if not done just right. On "Our Darkest Days", Orange County's IGNITE does it just right. Considering the number of bands that combine the two elements and ultimately water down the best parts of both (i.e., WITH HONOR),that IGNITE are able to compose songs that are unequivocally heavy, yet competently arranged, and that are infectious without sounding stereotypically emo or cheesy, is praiseworthy. Eschewing trademarks of the eyeliner crowd doesn't hurt either.

Although I am certain that many bands of this ilk have escaped my attention, the last group that I've run across that succeeded at pulling off the aforementioned combination so well is AFI. Said band's compositional depth is not matched here, but the melodic sensibility and punk-meets-rock-meets-hardcore approach is similar in many respects. And it starts with a fantastic singer (not crooner, not growler…a stone cold singer) named Zoli Teglas. The guy is one of the few in this glutted market that is able to keep my attention, thanks to a truly passionate performance and superb command of vocal patterns, as well as knowing exactly when to unleash the power and when to pull back.

Musically, with the exception of a decent, if rather cliche, acoustic closer named "Live for Better Days", the tunes hit fast and furiously. However, rather than bogging down in repetitive chug-and-bash, intelligent use of two guitarists (Brian Balchack and Nik Hill) serves to give life to the tunes without sacrificing aggression. Songs like "Bleeding" pack in big hooks and intense heaviness in the span of two minutes. Throughout the album gang shouts and vocal harmonies come in easily digested portions, adding color and tunefulness, but never becoming overbearing. Several tunes hit closer to traditional punk (save for Zoli's vocal delivery),"Know your History" one such example. The speedy cover of U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday" is quite good too. Finally, social consciousness and political awareness are heard in the lyrics, offering memorable lines and poignant commentary.

In all honesty, each time I've spun the disc I have found myself becoming somewhat sated by the halfway point. That is more an issue with the limited amount of time I spend with music of the kind created by IGNITE than any problem with the songwriting though. In short, I do better with it in smaller doses. Hardcore and metal purists probably will not be doing back flips over this one. As for everyone else, "Our Darkest Days" is pretty damn solid.