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By GREG MAKI
Re:Ignition is something of a rarity in today’s musical landscape: a heavy rock band that is unabashedly melodic and accessible. The lineup includes former Skinlab members Steev Esquivel (guitar) and Steve “Snake” Green (bass) and an emerging star in vocalist Dave Moore. He carries each song with a voice that sounds like a cross between Chris Cornell in his prime and Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger. (Trust me, he sounds a lot better than what you may be thinking based on that description.) Musically, the band often reminds me of Soil. Their sound packs a similar punch, but Moore ’s wide vocal range (see “By a Thread”) allows them to be far more dynamic.
Highlights of the album include “Head On,” which is powered by vocals full of aggression and Mark Hernandez’s pummeling drumming; the alternately moody and bombastic “Take What You Want,” which features a passionate performance by Moore; the up-tempo “Spinning in Circles;” the instantly catchy “Left Behind;” and the ominous, seven-minute-plus “Bright Red.”
In truth, each of the 12 tracks will keep your finger off the skip button. Just one listen shows the five members of Re:Ignition to be an immensely talented group of musicians and songwriters. With a little exposure, Empty Heart, Loaded Gun could take them a long way.
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