Trevor William Church was practically born plugged into an amp. Son of the legendary Bill “The Electric” Church (Montrose, Sammy Hagar), Trevor grew up in the California sun with riffs in his bloodstream and the spirit of rock ’n’ roll in his DNA. But this wasn’t a story of just carrying the torch – it was about setting his own fire. After carving his path in the doom-laden haze of Beastmaker, Trevor kicked the doors wide open in 2017 with a blazing new vision: HAUNT.
And HAUNT doesn’t creep – it roars. From the moment “Luminous Eyes” hit in 2017, the underground knew something special was happening. Then came “Burst Into Flame” in 2018, a record that sounded like a jet engine made of riffs and melody. Since then, Church has been unstoppable, dropping albums at a fever pitch – “If Icarus Could Fly”, “Mind Freeze”, “Beautiful Distraction”, all the way through to “Golden Arm”, “Dreamers”, and now “Ignite” (2025). Each one burns with its own heat, yet all carry that unmistakable HAUNT energy: fast, fiery, and fearless.
What makes HAUNT shine is more than just speed and shred – it’s the vibe. Twin-guitar harmonies that feel like neon lights cutting through the night sky, vocals that soar like a midnight highway ride, riffs that strike with the force of a thunderclap. It’s DIY spirit, pure passion, and unfiltered metal magic. Church doesn’t just write songs – he channels a wave of energy straight from the golden age of heavy metal into the here and now.
HAUNT isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about proving that the heart of heavy metal still beats loud and proud in 2025. Trevor William Church stands at the center of it all – a riff machine, a dreamer, a true believer. Every chord, every chorus, every solo reminds you: this music lives, it breathes, and it’s meant to be played LOUD.
With "Ignite", Haunt prove once again why they are one of the most reliable forces in today’s wave of traditional heavy metal. This album isn’t just another entry in their impressive catalog – it’s a statement. Trevor Church leads the charge with his unmistakable mid-range vocals, at once solemn and soaring, carried by the razor-sharp riffing of Andy Lei, the pounding bass of Sammy Harman and the relentless drive of Andres Saldate on drums. From the opening surge of "Soaring Through The Ages* to the urgent hooks of "Not The Same" and the fiery sing-along power of "With Our Angel", Ignite feels like a nonstop ride through classic metal glory. The title track twists and turns with unexpected arrangements, while "Long Cold Lonely Winter" brings atmosphere and dynamic shifts that keep the record fresh and engaging. And just when you think the fire has burned out, the closing "If I Said Goodnight" lands as a semi-ballad of crushing weight and haunting beauty – one of Haunt’s finest moments to date. Sonically, this is the best-sounding Haunt album so far: punchy, clear, yet warm and organic, perfectly capturing their old-school spirit. Haunt have carved their niche with dedication, passion and consistency, and "Ignite" shows them burning brighter, heavier and more inspired than ever. This is pure heavy metal devotion – timeless, powerful, and absolutely unmissable.
-Helge Neumann
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