February: Burn Halo

by John Kindred
Staff Writer

It’s early ’09 and honestly there isn’t a whole lot of new music being released. So latching on to a new artist or band is like finding a needle in a hay stack. Thankfully though, at least one band is preparing for their March 10 self-titled debut release, Burn Halo. And they more than deserve to be listened to.

The band is built around the endeavors of former 18 Visions vocalist James Hart. Having dedicated a decade to his former band their recent breakup didn’t deter Hart from pushing forward.

Hart landed a recording deal with Island/Def Jam and began working with songwriter Zac Maloy. Trekking to Oklahoma Hart and Maloy wrote and demoed song after song in preparation for recording Burn Halo’s debut studio album. As the writing stages progressed to the studio laying down the material, Hart found himself recording with current rock heavy weights.

The studio band consisted of Nickelback drummer Daniel Adair, former Jane’s Addiction bassist Chris Chaney, guitarist Neil Tiemann (David Cook band) and Synyster Gates of Avenged Sevenfold.

While Hart wrapped his studio work Island/Def Jam passed on releasing the album. Hart’s manager Bret Bair saved the day when he formed Rawkhead Records and partnered with Time Warner Music Group to release Burn Halo’s debut studio album.

Self-described as a band with “…commercial appeal, but also something that had a classic, vintage mid-‘80s throwback vibe to it,” Burn Halo sound is grounded firmly in the modern rock zone. Applying bits and pieces from today’s successful rock bands, such as Buckcherry, Shinedown and Nickelback, Burn Halo wraps these elements into the own formulated brand.

The first single “Dirty Little Girl,” which features Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates, opens with gritty inspired riff and Hart’s best Brent Smith/Josh Todd impersonation. Burn Halo mixes it up from the heavy hitting “Save Me” to the ballad “Here With Me.” Far from perfect Burn Halo deliver a compelling release with hopes of grabbing an audience and building their legacy. Recently Hart gathered together guitarists Joey Cunha and Allen Wheeler, bassist Aaron Baylor and drummer Ryan Folden forging Burn Halo into a legitimate band.

It’s early 2009 and Burn Halo has great shot at plenty of success in this new year.

Band Lineup:
James Hart – Vocals
Joey Cunha – Guitar
Allen Wheeler – Guitar
Aaron Baylor – Bass
Ryan Folden – Drums

Myspace: www.myspace.com/burnhalo