Shihad fans (and there are still legions of us out there), and especially the conservative ones, can breathe easily.
Shihad fans (and there are still legions of us out there), and especially the conservative ones, can breathe easily. The Kiwi-Aussie band’s last two records have tried to tread some new ground, although in completely opposite directions to each other and each with varying degrees of success. Both were solid albums in their own way, but this new effort is an absolute return to form; a typical Shihad album through and through. Which is to say that it is good.
Very, very good in fact. It rocks, as we have come to expect, but unlike 2005’s Love Is The New Hate, it’s not dripping with a somewhat misplaced anger. Here, the band unleash the fury inherent in their particular brand of explosive rock, but at the same time it’s shitloads of fun, in the grand old Shihad tradition. But there’s the occasional sense of moodiness and ‘alternativity’ (read: darker atmosphere) present amid the general arse-kickery as well, which prevents it from being another boring Aussie (formerly Kiwi) pub-rock album. Check out the title track for example. You might think a song called Ignite would be a rip-roaring, balls-to-the-wall rocker, but instead it’s a dark, bass-driven slow burner with some very sweet vocal harmonies. And it’s also a candidate for best track on the record.
Elsewhere, there’s a typically Shihad sense of catchiness. Lead Or Follow sticks in your head, both with regard to the vocals and its riffery, as it conveys a sense of rock ‘n’ rol’s raw power at the same time. It’s a similar story on In The Future. Sleepeater is different again, being a little industrial and surprisingly dancey, but with a big chorus payoff.
There are very few weak links here song-wise, however, and many of the tunes on show here could have sat quite comfortably on their classic The General Electric album, or the controversial but highly underrated ‘name change’ album Pacifier. Plus the sound on this self-produced effort is typically enormous.
Essentially, Ignite is a 100% bona fide, genuine-article Shihad album. They’ve knocked the nail right on the head this time around, and long-time (and new) fans should love every last second.
