Hale releases follow-up album 'Twilight'

In April 2005, Hale released their self-titled debut album. Composed of Champ Lui-Pio, Roll Martinez, Sheldon Gellada and Omnie Saroca, Hale quickly earned an enthusiastic legion of fans with their brand of melodrama (melodious drama).

The band went on to conquer 2005 as their singles Broken Sonnet, The Day You Said Goodnight, Kahit Pa and Kung Wala Ka all reached the top of radio and video channel charts around the country. The album also topped the local sales charts and Hale became the best-selling new artist of 2005, attaining triple platinum sales of 90,000 units.

Hale's success was not confined to the commercial arena, as the band bagged several coveted awards such as the 2006 Awit Awards for Best Ballad for The Day You Said Goodnight and People's Choice Award for Favorite Band; at the 2006 SOP Pasiklaband (GMA 7), they brought home Best Pop Rock Band award; and at the 2006 MTV Pilipinas Music Video Awards, Hale won the Best Pop Video for Kung Wala Ka.

Hale is back with their much anticipated second effort entitled TWILIGHT, which hits stores today, September 30. "It is called Twilight because it fits the mood, smell, touch, feel and most importantly the sound of the new record," says guitarist Roll Martinez. Asked about the pressure of following up such a successful debut, vocalist Champ Lui-Pio replies, "For this album we were challenged to make it bigger, better than the first one. We're very confident with the outcome of the album and we just can't wait to share it with everyone."

"The songs are still very melancholy, but I think people will find the guitars to be more aggressive, and we've experimented with more intricate arrangements to broaden our sound," relates Martinez.

TWILIGHT contains 14 original compositions: Last Song; Fire in the Sky; Empty Tears, Empty Hearts; The Ballad Of; Waltz; Hide & Seek; Eyes Wide Shut; Liham; Shooting Stars; 7,8; Elegy; Dahil Sa 'Yo Sa Himig ng Aking Gitara; Starting Over and the instrumental track, Brother.

The lead single, Waltz, premiered simultaneously on several radio stations across the FM dial last September 5. The accompanying video, directed by Toppel Lee, should debut on your favorite music channel by September 24.

Waltz with Hale and get the album TWILIGHT released by EMI Philippines. For booking information or additional information, you can contact Chu Santos at 0920-9389664, email [email protected], or log on to www.emimusic.ph