Review: Ignescent – Eternal
Hailing from the Windy City, Ignescent, much like their name, are poised to throw sparks across the Christian hard rock and metal scene. And, much like their Stryper labelmates on Frontiers Music, they have the potential to make a serious impact on the mainstream music world as well.
Fronted by pint-sized powerhouse Jennifer Benson, the energetic and consistently theatrical band delivers a unique blend of heavy metal instrumentation and sharp pop songwriting. I do not use the word “pop” as a slight. Any listen to today’s bland Top 40 proves how difficult it is to craft a truly great pop song.
The downtuned guitars, furnished by Andre Leon, create an ultra-heavy backdrop for Benson’s commanding, upfront vocals. Kohl Coryell delivers formidable percussion, while Mikey Green anchors the low end with driving, muscular bass lines.
Having never heard the band before, the intro to the first track had me expecting harsh vocals in the vein of Arch Enemy or Spiritbox. I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted instead by bright, clean vocals soaring over the heaviness. The songs are well crafted and insanely catchy. Ignescent have tapped into a fun, pop-tinged metal formula that carries throughout the entire album. Not every track is a barn-burner, as three ballads break up the crunchy momentum and add welcome dynamics.
The production blends Drop D and Drop C heavy, with Benson’s vocals floating effortlessly on top and yielding an extremely radio-friendly presentation. In the 1980s, Pat Benatar used a similar formula of guitar-driven rock and pristine vocals to tremendous success. Ignescent display that same knack for memorable hooks, sing-along ability, and headbanging energy.
The first two singles from the album are already generating serious buzz. “Chariot of Fire” finds the band joined by Clint Lowery of Sevendust as a guest vocalist. Meanwhile, the recently released “Joker” features Jennifer in full Harley Quinn-style makeup, showcasing the band’s flair for theatrics. Both tracks are excellent examples of the Ignescent sound, and the rest of the album is just as strong.
I sincerely hope the world outside our small Christian metal bubble catches on to what Ignescent are doing. They deserve a much larger audience than our tight-knit cadre of righteous rockers alone can provide. This fine example of heavy, power-pop drops on March 20, 2026.
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