Burn Halo rises from the ashes

Up from the Ashes is the second studio album from hard rock band Burn Halo.

The album title might refer to the struggle the band went through after Island/Def Jam opted not to release their first self-titled album. Luckily Burn Halo, which was founded in 2007 by lead singer James Hart, has a new album and a new label.

Burn Halo's sophomore album is an epitome of the band itself. Hart manages to convey genuine emotion without becoming emo. Hart's lyrics have a way of reaching you even if you're not a fan of the genre.

Notable tracks like "Stuck in a Rut" and "Stranded" will give all those misunderstood teenage boys enough angst for a lifetime. And the first track, "Tear It Down," has enough hard rock to keep metal purists head banging.

It would be easy to write off Burn Halo as just another dime a dozen metal band. The band relies heavily on their guitar solos and their genre doesn't give Hart a lot of vocal range. But after listening to "Rest My Soul," it's hard to dismiss Burn Halo like that.