Burn Halo

Burn Halo is a hard rock band, originating from Orange County, California and Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was formed by James Hart, former lead singer of Orange County metalcore band Eighteen Visions.

History

Formation and self-titled debut album (2007–2010)

James Hart spent nearly a decade recording and touring as the frontman of Orange County band Eighteen Visions. After their breakup in early 2007, He landed a label deal with Island/Def Jam and began working almost immediately with songwriter Zac Maloy on what would become Burn Halo's self-titled debut.

Between May and October 2007, Hart made week-long treks to Tulsa, OK to write and demo with Maloy. "I knew that I wanted a clear-cut rock ‘n’ roll band, which is something I had not had in the past", Hart says of the music. "My vision and my brand of rock ‘n’ roll without having to compromise on any of the songs or any of the material. I wanted to make a very straightforward rock album. Something that had commercial appeal, but also something that had a classic, vintage mid-‘80s throwback vibe to it.”^[1]

Hart recorded the album between October–November 2007 with Maloy as producer, laying down the tracks with studio musicians, including Nickelback drummer Daniel Adair, former Jane's Addiction bassist Chris Chaney, and guitarist Neal Tiemann who now tours with American Idol winner David Cook. Speaking of Maloy, Hart said: “I really felt like he was able to grasp what I wanted to do and where I wanted to take this. From a producer standpoint I feel like he really knocked it out of the park. As a vocalist he was able to bring a lot out of me instead of having me go through the motions and just get the part right. Emoting a little more than I have in the past. He was really able to pull a lot of character out of my voice.”^[1]

Two singles were released from the album: "Save Me", which Hart described as the heaviest track on the record, and "Dirty Little Girl", which features Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates. Other tracks include “Here With Me,” an emotive throwback ballad. “I wanted to touch more on real life situations and real life stories,” Hart says. “I wanted to paint a real life picture. I started listening to country and a lot of those songs are very real and down to earth. They are songs about real life, about situations you would come across with a lover or the loss of a friend or heading down a dark path in life. I wanted it to be really simple and easy to digest. I wanted there to be no question about what I was singing about.”^[1]

After the album was completed, in early 2008, Island elected not to release Burn Halo's debut, leaving Hart with the tough job of finding a new home for his project. Nothing felt quite right, though, so Burn Halo’s manager Bret Bair formed his own label Rawkhead Rekords through Warner Music Group to release the record. Hart spent much of 2008 finalizing the lineup of his touring band, with Aaron Boehler on bass, Joey Cunha (ex-Die Trying) on lead guitar, Allen Wheeler on rhythm guitar, and Ryan Folden on drums.^[2] Drummer Timmy Russell joined the band in March 2009, and soon after that Brandon Lynn on rhythm guitar.^[3][4]

The self-titled album was finally released on March 31, 2009, and the band went on tour in support of the album, going on tour with many high-profile bands all around the US. Starting with a supporting slot on Escape the Fate's tour of February–March 2009, then supporting Avenged Sevenfold with Papa Roach and Buckcherry through the rest of March, and in April–May 2009, a slot playing on the SnowCore tour with Static-X and Saliva. In June–July 2009 the band on their first ever headlining tour of the US with supporting bands New Medicine and Track Fighter.

Touring continued through 2010, with a tour supporting Puddle of Mudd with The Veer Union in April 2010, and a tour supporting Tantric and Adema, through July–September 2010.

Up from the Ashes (2010–2013)

In late 2010, the band confirmed on their official Facebook page that they are going into the studio to record a follow-up to their self-titled debut album, with a hopeful release before summer of 2011. On October 4, 2010, the band went on to say "Next album will be even more rockin' than the first. Heavier, faster, more metal and more in your face".

On March 30, 2011, Burn Halo streamed the new song "Tear It Down" on Noisecreep, and confirmed the name of the new album, as being on Up from the Ashes. On April 14, 2011, the band stated on Facebook that a music video for the first single "Tear It Down" would be released soon. "Tear It Down" was released as an official single on iTunes on April 19, 2011.^[5] On June 16, 2011, the band streamed "Dakota", another new song from the upcoming album, on Revolver Magazine's website, as well as on their Facebook page.^[6][7]

On January 1, 2012, frontman James Hart announced on the band's Facebook page that due to some unforeseen circumstances and personal decisions, Brandon Lynn, Aaron Boehler, and Dillon Ray have left the band. Hart will continue touring with the other remaining member Joey Roxx, along with some new touring members that might become a part of the permanent line-up of the band.^[8]

On January 2, 2012, it was announced that Sonny Tremblay would be the touring, and possibly permanent drummer for Burn Halo.

On January 3, 2012, the band announced via their Facebook page that the new bass player would be Ryan Frost, and the new Rhythm guitar player would be Chris Paterson.

On February 14th In an interview with Hails and Horns Magazine, James answered questions regarding the lineup change, management frustrations, and the next Burn Halo album, stating: "Before this last album had been released, our management had made some decisions for the band that we did not agree with. Those decisions turned out to be game changers for the band and this album, and not in a good way. Our touring, promotion and marketing was not half as strong as it was on the first album. It’s like no one wanted to work for us. Things got tough on the road and 3 of our members decided to take on their personal lives at home and leave the touring behind"..."Let’s just say that the current lineup consists of just myself and Roxx. The other guys need to prove themselves before they are listed as members." and "I’ve put my head down and decided to move forward. We’ve started writing some new stuff in preparations for a new BURN HALO album." ^[9]

In February 2013, James, Joey, & Ryan began writing sessions for the band's 3rd album. ^{[10] [11]} On August 5th, pre-production on the 3rd Burn Halo album officially began. ^{[12] [13]} In an interview with The Vinnie Langdon Show at the 2013 Aftershock Festival, Joey Roxx provided an update on the band's new album saying that it should be released in January and that a new single could possibly be released around October or November. Joey also went on to say that they were working with producer Fred Archambault, who had previously worked on the Eighteen Visions album Obsession, as well as Avenged Sevenfold's City of Evil and self-titled album. At some point, the band also switched to Epochal Artists Records, according to their Facebook information as well as Epochal's website. ^[14]

New Album (2014–Present)

On January 1 2014, the band released "Wolves of War", from their new and upcoming album. The song was available for free on their Facebook page^[15] and also released on Burn Halo's Soundcloud page^[16] later that day.

Band members

Current members

• James Hart - lead vocals (2007–present)
• Joey Roxx - lead guitar (2007–present)
• Ryan Frost - rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2013–present), bass guitar (2012)
• Chris Bishop - bass guitar (2013–present)
• John Duarte - drums (2013–present)

Former members

• Aaron Boehler - bass (2007–2011)
• Ryan Folden - drums, percussion (2007–2009)
• Allen Snake Jones Wheeler - rhythm guitar (2007–2009)
• Brandon Lynn - rhythm guitar (2009–2011)
• Timmy Russell - drums, percussion (2009–2010)
• Dillon Ray - drums, percussion (2010–2011)

Former Touring Members

• Chris Paterson - rhythm guitar, vocals (2012)
• Sonny Tremblay - drums, percussion (2012)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

References

External links

• UnRated Magazine Interview with Burn Halo's James Hart, June 2009