In 2019, Orange County, California Punk and Hardcore institution, IGNITE were a band at a crossroads. Over 25 years, IGNITE had taken their hardcore foundations and not merely turned them into the sound of a band that has refused to be categorized but had become a worldwide force in their own right. With five albums behind them including 2006’s breakout, Our Darkest Days and 2016’sA War Against You(which entered the German album charts at #6) as well as countless tours through Europe, North America, Australia, South America and the Far East, the core of the band: bassist Brett Rasmussen, guitarists Nik Hill and Kevin Kilkenny and drummer Craig Anderson found themselves in search of a new voice. They found themselves without a singer.

“Eli Santana was a surprise, no question,” says Brett. In fact, IGNITE’s new vocalist is largely known as a guitarist in Los Angeles-based metal bands Holy Grail and Huntress. However, after culling through a number of potential front men, Santana proved himself the clear-cut choice. “He had the enthusiasm, the talent, the voice and the same sort of excitement for the band that we do,” says Brett. "My first or second Hardcore show ever was IGNITE at The Showcase Theater in Corona,” says Eli. “Growing up in Southern California, bands like Suicidal Tendencies or Bad Religion were just as much an influence for meas Metallica.”