Hale is poised in dramatic shift in strategy as they launch their new found passion with their third album called ABOVE, OVER and BEYOND which boasts the kick-off single “Pitong Araw” and second single “Leap of Faith.” The album promises a new sound and feel for its audience as both single is now braced to repeat the process of Hale’s indelible hit after the other.
“Before releasing Twilight, we said we would take a short leave and so we did. Ten months to be exact and now we’re back with a new album, a new level of confidence,” says frontman Champ Lui-Pio.
The break gave them enough time to re-group and re-evaluate everything that was done and they started from scratch. They took it not as an obstacle but an inspiration to create uninhibited music that would please not only the listeners but also themselves. They actually built their own studio to record everything from track one to the last. “We gave more of ourselves in this album and we became more involved as a group,” Champ concluded.
Above, Over and Beyond— being co-produced by the band themselves—follows perfectly in the huge footsteps of the multi-platinum self-titled debut album (2006) and second album Twilight (2007) which however, the new album consists of 13 original Hale songs: OVER AND OVER (AND OVER AGAIN); THIS IS A HAPPY SONG; SANDALI NA LANG; THE END; REQUIEM; BACK FROM BEGINNING; TAMA NA BA?; SKIP THE DRAMA, HAGATNA BAY; TREEHOUSE; LEAP OF FAITH; SUNDOWN; and the lead off single PITONG ARAW. “Sundown” however is CloseUp’s new jingle which Hale collaborated with EMI Phils’ new found talent, Monique Rae.
Roll Martinez, the band’s guitarist confidently shares how the album title came about, “This album is more level headed without the clueless optimism,” he added. “On the personal angle naman… parang sa song na ‘Skip The Drama’… it doesn’t mean na pag pangit yung nangyayari eh katapusan na ng mundo. On the other hand, hindi rin rainbows and balloons ang buhay…so parang the positive and negative stuff na nangyari, they cancel each other out.”
“People were saying it was a huge risk, and it could cost us everything. I think our biggest challenge is to prove them wrong. We took a break to recharge and come up with this album,” Champ added. And as Hale breaks the silence—from the group’s two album sales have soared past the gold and platinum awards—Hale is back to conquer their history of rock ballads which plummeted at the top of the charts, won numerous awards and applauded many stages all over the country .
As the set of new Hale songs excels the members with overtly sincere vocalist Champ Lui-Pio and his bandmates, versatile guitarist Roll Martinez, bassist Sheldon Gellada and drummer Omnie Saroca will give you real driving force behind the music, ebbing and flowing between textured ballads and soaring codas.
However, Hale had to deal with the pressure of writing and recording a follow-up to their two previous albums but currently Hale is also working on helping people through music. Hale recently launched the Treehouse Productions which provides opportunities for indie bands and a part of the production earnings will go to carefully chosen beneficiaries. “Treehouse Productions was created so we could contribute to society in our own little way. That is how we want to be remembered,” Champ, as one of the founders added.
Grab a copy of Hale’s latest ABOVE OVER AND BEYOND released by EMI Philippines and being supported by PONY, Sugar Sugar Magazine and SM Mall Of Asia.