The Cleveland, Ohio based band Burning River are pretty comfortable with what they are and with what they are here to provide. Calling out a hole in the mainstream music industry that’s rock n roll-shaped, Burning River are here for the rescue, and ‘Ignition’, their debut single, is a successful attempt.

Combining the swaggered and dirty, loose-handed riffing of Jimmy Page with the smooth, sleek, and flexible vocal acrobatics of Ian Gillan, it’s safe to say that the guys from Burning River come on top in the talent department. The fantastic production makes the mix sound cutting and defined, the drums, courtesy of Stanley Piecuch, are boomy and human, with a fresh groove and an edgy attitude that produces slight imperfections that are left admirably in. 

Most notable is Keith Altman’s siren vocals. Sitting rather comfortably in a soaring high register throughout the song, the amount of energy and character his delivery injects into the song cannot be understated, at multiple points he sounded as delinquent and as charismatic as Tool’s unequaled Maynard James Keenan. The interplay between Nicholas Lattanzio’s bassline and Joseph Hozian’s riffs is infectious and masterful, and the attention they put into their respective tones pays off greatly, with both their lines sounding juicy and complimentary to one another.

Ignition is a solid debut from a fresh band that knows exactly what they’re here to do, and they do it so well. If you’re in the mood for some manic and charismatic rock n roll then Burning River are more than capable of scratching that itch.