Re:Ignition's debut album, Empty Heart, Loaded Gun, is a blend of hard rocking tracks and pit turning aggression which still remains on the accessible side of the scale. It took a few listens, but this album has grown on me and it is a good example of good rock and roll that doesn't go out of its way to cater to the masses.

The band was formed on the shoulders of Skinlab's Steev Esquivel on guitar and Snake on bass. Now, Skinlab is one of those bands with an intriguing name that I never got around to listening to. If you have read many of my past reviews, this may sound like I am singing a familiar tune - but it's true. The more bands I listen to, the more there are left to listen to. I am always open to checking out other bands, and this may be a good opening to check out Skinlab.

This is the new band that the pair have created and we are at the dawn of the age of Re:Ignition. The band has a sound that always seems to be on the verge of exploding. The energy underlying the recorded sound is plainly evident. It is almost like they are holding back for the studio, but only just barely. Even when they are into one of the more mellow excursions you can feel it bubbling just beneath the surface. A raging creation set to be let loose upon the stage. When you listen to this, just think what it would be like to be in the midst of the pit when that energy breaks loose.

From the opening strains of "Short Memory" I can see the fists in the air. Not metal by a longshot, but hard rock that is driving and just surging forward. The energy continues into "Like a Beating" and "Loosely Tied Ends." "Lies & Money" begins with a bit more of an open sound before adding the crunch. That is followed by the mellow strains of "By a Thread" which still surges with energy burning beneath it.

Vocalist Dave Moore has an interesting voice. It has a deep strength behind it, belied by his style of laid back aggression. That may not make sense, but listen to him. There is definitely a restrained quality to his voice, but it also has an explosive quality. At times it reminds me of Glenn Danzig. The guitars have a harsh edge to them that is undeniable, nothing special in terms of lead work, but given the live environment I could hear them really causing a ruckus. The rhythm section is nothing special, but they get the job done.

Bottomline. I like this album. It didn't flat out blow me away, but that aggressiveness and harsh edge is undeniably infectious. This is a live band trapped in a studio, a prisoner of the sound board. The resulting album is strong, but I can tell that their hearts lie with the stage where they can let everything out.

Recommended.