MUEN: THE MUSIC OF DARK HALO IS SO VERY DIFFERENT FROM MOST OF THE METAL OUT THERE TODAY, WHAT IN YOUR OPINION, IS THE DEFINING FACTOR THAT SETS YOU APART?

A DARK HALO: Our goal of creating heavy music based on melodic orchestral score and techno beat-styling is what I believe sets us apart from other metal acts. We want to create a soundscape that is essentially a movie score with balls!!

MUEN: IN WHAT YEAR DID YOU FORM "A DARK HALO?" AND HOW ARE YOU RECEIVED IN YOUR IMMEDIATE AREA OF PHOENIX, AZ? ARE YOU PLAYING THE LOCAL CIRCUT AT ALL?

A DARK HALO: Dave and I formed "A Dark Halo" in January of 2005 originally as a two-man recording project. It has slowly been evolving to include Justin and Jimbo for the live arena. We have performed only 3 times thus far in the local circuit, and have been received very well :)

MUEN: IN 2005 YOU WERE APPROACHED BY THE COMPANY "THQ" TO HAVE YOUR MUSIC INCLUDED IN A VIDEO GAME - WHAT CAME ABOUT FROM THAT, AND ARE YOU FEATURED IN OTHER VIDEO GAMES AS WELL?

A DARK HALO: We were approached on the quality and integrity of our music to be included in the GameCube title, "WWE: Day Of Reckoning 2". Our first two completed songs, "Burn It All" and "Beyond Recall" were featured in the title. It has helped spread the word of "A Dark Halo" quite well internationally and was a great opportunity!! We do not have any plans to be featured in any future video game titles at this time.

MUEN: WHEN WAS YOUR LAST ALBUM "CATALYST" RELEASED, AND WHERE IS IT AVAILABLE?

A DARK HALO: "Catalyst" was officially released on November 7th, 2006. It is available only online at this point and you can find a copy on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, and various other web-stores.

MUEN: HOW MANY SONGS ARE ON THE DISC?

A DARK HALO: There are 8 tracks on the album, 7 full-length songs and 1 short instrumental interlude.

MUEN: HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY RADIO PLAY AS OF YET? AND SPEAKING OF WHICH.. WHAT RADIO STATION IN THE PHOENIX AREA IS MOST LIKED IN YOUR GENRE OF MUSIC?

A DARK HALO: We have begun receiving radio play on "XM Radio's "XM 48 -SquiZZ" station, which has been really cool :) We have also been played locally on 97.9 - 98 KUPD's Sunday evening metal highlight, "Into The Pit".

MUEN: IS THERE A TOUR IN THE WORKS? AND IF SO, WHAT CITIES WILL YOU BE COMING TO?

A DARK HALO: We will be performing our first out-of-state gig on Friday, November 16th in San Marcos, CA at "The Jumping Turtle". Their website is www.thejumpingturtle.com!!! Beyond that, we are looking at playing other shows in California, Texas, and Las Vegas, NV...but do not have dates lined-up at this time.

MUEN: WHO WRITES THE LYRICS AND WHAT IS THE MEANING BEHIND THE SONG "NUCLEUS?"

A DARK HALO: Dave and I discuss what we want to accomplish with a song, but Dave is definetely the lyricist. I must admit, I am a big fan of his lyrics as well! Regarding what the actual meaning of "Nucleus" is, or any of our other songs for that matter...we leave it up to the listener. To me, "Nucleus" is about reaching the core of an issue and discarding everything else that does not matter. But in the process of reaching said core, you must experience the journey there, whether it's good or bad.

MUEN: WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR MOST INFLUENTIAL FAVORITES, THAT ARE CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS TODAY?

A DARK HALO: Our biggest influences are Strapping Young Lad, Pantera, Fear Factory, Dimmu Borgir, In Flames, Threat Signal, Lamb Of God, as well as composers such as Harry Gregson-Williams, Hans Zimmer, and Danny Elfman.

MUEN: WHERE DO YOU SEE THE METAL GENRE GOING? DO YOU FEEL THAT A HIGH-TECH APPROACH WILL BE MORE DOMINANT IN THE COMING YEARS?

A DARK HALO: That's a good question. I feel that the metal genre is growing more popular in the underground sense, and is doing so in an outward fashion. There are more and more styles all the time, which I think is really enriching for a metal fan of today. I think that metal is already dominantly high-tech in many ways, and see it continuing as such.

WHAT DOES THE NEXT FEW MONTHS HOLD FOR "A DARK HALO?" WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN GOALS?

A DARK HALO: We have a lot of ideas brewing at the moment for a multitude of things, such as a music video, a short tour, and writing more music! The best way to keep up with ADH is by checking our Myspace page, www.myspace.com/adarkhalo!!

MUEN: THANKS FOR THE INTERVIEW!

A DARK HALO: You are quite welcome. Thank you !!!

Interview by G. Cataline