Haloburn

Let’s review the facts. Haloburn comprises ex-members of hard rockers 7th Rail Crew, Headshot and Indesit. Their debut record (Unspoken) was produced by Jim Foster (Nullset, White). The follow-up release, Ouroboros, boasts cover art by the guy who did the last Korn cover art. Oh yeah, and Haloburn is endorsed by the Pino Bros. Ink guys. So yeah, of course it rocks, that shouldn’t be a big surprise. What IS a big surprise is how, through all the face-melting, hard-hitting aggression on Ouroboros, there’s actually just as much brain as brawn on these eight tracks.

Though it doesn’t get much harder, louder or heavier than Haloburn around here, this is no meathead cock rock. The band issues an introspective, thoughtful musical message of rebirth and renewal, made all the more poignant driven home as it is with relentless rock solid rhythms and even some sophisticated progressive twists. Standouts are “Left for Dead” and “Down Side Up,” which thrills with dynamic rhythmic changes, killer drums on the bridge and a fist-pumping chorus repeating “Why don’t you give it to me.” Also of note, the twin guitar assault in “Force Fed” and “On The Brink” with Alex and Ennio doing their best to play their guitars to sound roughly like an industrial factory functioning at full speed. Showing some breadth and depth, there’s “Hidden Spaces,” a pretty, tuneful, almost prog-inspired instrumental placed near the end just before a searing cover of Bad Brains’ “Soul Craft.”

Fueled in large part by Micah’s raw, aggressive vocals, Haloburn hauls a truckload of Tool-inspired, Pantera-heavy rock with an impressive cargo of guitar power and lyrical originality. Put simply, it’s a badass hard rock release worthy of some attention. Put even more simply, get this record. (Lexi Kahn)