Currently preparing for the release of their new album, Halo Effect, Kris Barras Band have just shared its second single, “Hourglass,” following “Unbreakable.” The album is set for release on April 12, 2024, via Earache Records, coinciding with a UK tour run. Head into the article below for the “Hourglass” video, live listings and more.
Get “Hourglass” here.
Pre-order Halo Effect here.
Frontman Kris Barras enthuses, “‘I’d say this is probably my favourite track on the album. Musically, it’s one of the most progressive tracks on the album with the time signature changes and different sections. The mid section build up is a special part of the album for me. The way it starts off a little creepy then builds into the big hook section, which acts almost like a second chorus. It feels almost euphoric.”
“Lyrically, the song is about feeling like you’re running out of time. Getting stuck and feeling like time is passing you by. It’s a fairly personal song for me, as one of my only regrets in life was living my twenties like life ended at 30. I put a lot of pressure on myself to hit life goals in a certain time frame rather than just enjoying the ride. Now, with my career change, from pro-fighter to musician, I have a new lease of life and a completely different outlook on things.”
The album’s title explores the “halo effect,” suggesting that individuals, adorned with halos from superficial traits like attractiveness or public decency, dazzle so brightly that their involvement in corruption and deceit often go unnoticed.
Amplifying the heavier sound from their last album, Death Valley Paradise (which landed a Top 30 spot in the UK Album Chart and saw four tracks added to Planet Rock Radio‘s A-list playlist), upcoming LP, Halo Effect, delivers hard-hitting riffs, captivating choruses that soar, and fuse-lighting technical solos.
Kris elaborates, “There is a strong rock & metal influence throughout the album and there’s also some progressive elements with some odd time riffs and experimental midsections. There are even some melodies and production ideas not dissimilar to what a lot of the modern metalcore bands are doing. Musically, this album is a lot more riff- and groove-based. Halo Effect still keeps the essence of what Kris Barras Band is: big riffs and even bigger choruses. It’s just that, this time, we’ve turned everything up to 11 and beefed it up!”
Halo Effect was recorded at Vada Recording Studios in Worcestershire and co-produced by Kris Barras with long-term collaborator Josiah J. Manning. The album also features co-writes with Zac Maloy and Blair Daly (Shinedown, Halestorm, Lynyrd Skynyrd).
Halo Effect track list
01 Hourglass
02 Unbreakable
03 With You
04 Savages
05 Fall To Fly
06 Waste Away
07 Reflections
08 Secrets
09 Landslide
10 Fear Of Letting Go
11 Apocalypse
Kris Barras Band coincide the release of Halo Effect with their upcoming UK headline tour in April 2024. Native sons of Devon, the band kick off the tour with a launch party at The Foundry in Barras’ hometown of Torquay. Special guests will be announced in due course.
Tickets are on sale here for the following dates:
Sat 6th Apr – Torquay The Foundry
Fri 12th Apr – Southampton Engine Rooms
Sat 13th Apr – Wolverhampton KK’S Steel Mill
Sun14th Apr – Manchester Academy
Wed 17th Apr – Glasgow The Garage
Thu 18th Apr – Newcastle Boiler Shop
Fri 19th Apr – Nottingham Rock City
Sat 20th Apr – London Islington Assembly Hall
The band also headline the historic Chepstow Castle on August 15, 2024, with support from Stone Broken, The Hot Damn!, and Dan Byrne. Get tickets here.
More from Kris Barras Band:
A former long-time Muay Thai and MMA fighter, Kris Barras has his fans to thank for the conception of Halo Effect, which was written whilst riding the crest of the crowd response that the band experienced on their 2023 UK tour. “Josiah and I set up a recording studio in the top lounge of the tour bus,” says Kris. “We were super inspired by the audiences on that tour. We performed our heaviest set to date and noticed a real change in the crowd response. People were really vibing off of the heavier riffs and jam sections. The response at the shows massively fed the creativity for Halo Effect.”
Kris concludes, “This is the album that I am the most proud of in my career. So much hard work has gone into Halo Effect: a lot of attention to detail and constant striving to make sure that I improve and deliver an album that is truly to the best of my ability as both a songwriter and musician.”
Kris Barras Band comprises frontman Kris Barras, Josiah J. Manning on guitar, Billy Hammett on drums, and latest member Frazer Kerslake on bass.
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