Orange County melodic hardcore veterans Ignite will release their seventh studio album on Jan. 15, 2027. Ignite Still Wide Awake is their first full-length since 2022’s self-titled record and the first release on the band’s own new label, 93RPM Records. The band says it set out to write “some of the fastest, angriest songs of our career.”
The record was announced with a two-song video for the title track and “Guilty Wounds.” Coverage first appeared in early October, with Punkrocktheory posting on Oct. 9, and UK outlet Distorted Sound picked it up on Oct. 17.
Who Is Releasing Ignite Still Wide Awake?
Early reports didn’t agree on the label. Distorted Sound says the album comes out “via Lockjaw Records.” New Noise Magazine and the band’s own site say it is the launch release for Ignite’s own 93RPM Records.
Both are true. Lockjaw’s pre-order page lists the release as “via 93RPM Records / Lockjaw Records.” Wasted Attitude reports that Lockjaw covers the U.K. and Ireland, alongside other partners including the Punk Rock Museum’s Vinyl Threat Records and Thousand Islands Records in Canada. In short, 93RPM is the band’s label, and Lockjaw is one of several regional partners.
One more mismatch: Wikipedia currently lists a Jan. 12 release date. Every label and press source SDMETAL checked, including Lockjaw’s own listing, says Jan. 15, 2027.
Three Decades of Ignite
Ignite Still Wide Awake arrives more than 30 years after the band started. According to Wikipedia, Rasmussen and guitarist Joe D. Foster formed the band in 1992, and the lineup came together in 1993. Their commercial breakthrough was A Place Called Home on TVT Records in 2000. By then they had built a following through constant touring in more than 40 countries. Wikipedia also says the band has given proceeds to Sea Shepherd and Doctors Without Borders. In 2024 they toured the East Coast with Slapshot, Death by Stereo and School Drugs, then toured Europe with Slapshot to mark 30 years since the two bands first toured together in 1994.
Back to Four
The lineup on Ignite Still Wide Awake is a four-piece:
- Eli Santana – vocals
- Brett Rasmussen – bass
- Nik Hill – guitar
- Craig Anderson – drums
Distorted Sound says the slimmer lineup marks a return to “the streamlined approach of their 1990s line-up” while adding “elements of metal and darker influences.” Santana, who also plays guitar in Holy Grail, took over vocals from longtime frontman Zoli Teglas, who announced his exit in November 2019. The 2022 self-titled album was Santana’s first full-length with the band.
Rasmussen on the Record
Rasmussen, who co-founded the band in the early ’90s, gave this statement, as published by Distorted Sound:
“With Still Wide Awake, we wanted to write some of the fastest, angriest songs of our career while pushing our melodic and heavy influences further than ever before. Teaming up with Lockjaw Records to bring this record to life means everything to us because they are just as passionate about this band as we are. Every single track on this album is something we had to genuinely feel in our gut to record. It’s aggressive, it’s honest, and we can’t wait for people to hear it.”
The statement names Lockjaw because it was written for the U.K. rollout of Ignite Still Wide Awake. For American fans, the record is a 93RPM release.
What Ignite Still Wide Awake Is About
Ignite have always been a political band, and the new record continues that. Distorted Sound lists the themes as immigration enforcement, reproductive rights, mental health and personal responsibility. Lockjaw’s listing specifically says “men’s mental health.” The title track opens the record and “Year Of The Flood” closes it.
Comeback Kid’s Andrew Neufeld guests on track six. Here is the full tracklist from Lockjaw and Distorted Sound:
- Still Wide Awake
- Guilty Wounds
- Dissonate
- Shut Your Mouth
- Collapse In Common
- Done Digging The Grave (feat. Andrew Neufeld)
- Radiate
- Worst Is Yet To Come
- Cold Comfort
- Year Of The Flood
The first two songs from Ignite Still Wide Awake are already out. New Noise says the double video was shot at The Punk Rock Museum. Wasted Attitude credits the footage to Rasmussen.
Any San Diego Dates for Ignite Still Wide Awake?
Not yet. As of Oct. 18, no release show, tour or San Diego or Southern California dates for Ignite Still Wide Awake have been announced. The band’s site says more singles will come out through late 2026.
Ignite are part of the same Orange County hardcore and metal world that gave us Bleeding Through, who are coming back down the 5 for a SOMA Sidestage show with Eighteen Visions. If you like hardcore with a political edge, check out Biohazard’s “Eyes On Six” return, and read our SOMA venue spotlight for the room where a lot of this music has been played in San Diego.
Ignite Still Wide Awake is out Jan. 15, 2027. SDMETAL will post any San Diego date as soon as it is announced.
