Burn Halo

It may seem like a contradiction on the surface, but ex-Eighteen Visions’ vocalist James Hart simultaneously switches gears and picks up where things left off with his new band, Burn Halo.

On his former band’s last album, Eighteen Visions were able to show off some glammy, ‘80s influenced-chops, which was a bit of a step outside the metalcore zone in which the band burrowed for most of its career. 18V, as they were called, were one of the pre-eminent metalcore bands, and they were able to evolve and shift away from their patented sound on what would be their final album. Unfortunately, they broke up two years ago, but Hart remains on that glammier, sexier path that was initiated at the tail end of his former band’s career. Island Records originally signed Burn Halo, but after the record was turned in, the label elected not to release it. Was that a mistake? Only time will tell, but if the songs and the infinite style that are present on Burn Halo is any sort of indication, the powers-that-be might be second guessing their choice regarding this release.

Burn Halo’s self-titled debut is flashier and more flamboyant than the vocalist’s prior efforts, but it still has the same confident strut. Gone are the screamy, moshy anthems that were part and parcel of 18Vs sound. Hart has replaced that element of his sonic persona with a more grown up, more Guns N’ Roses-inspired way of making tunes. His voice is a bit nasally and he doesn’t scream for his supper anymore and that’s fine; he proves to be more than competent singer. The Los Angeles rawk vibe of bands like Velvet Revolver and Stone Temple Pilots

is omnipresent on Burn Halo and it’s an album that veritably could have been reared from endless sweat-soaked gigs at the Viper Room, The Whisky, The Roxy or any of the legendary venues that dot Sunset.

“Dirty Little Girl,” which features Avenged Sevenfold’s Synyster Gates, and “Save Me” sting and swagger with licks churned out by a bunch of young turks and they’re united by Hart’s impassioned wailing. There’s even melodic ballads like “Too Late to Tell You Now.” With the band’s fashionable image and a vocalist who is actually a frontman who knows how to put on a show, Burn Halo have all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle and the debut is just the first key piece that’s been assembled in what can be a lengthy career. Wonder if the folks at Island are kicking themselves for shelving this and then letting it go?

— Amy Sciarretto
03.23.09