Burn Halo is an American hard rock band originating from Orange County, California and Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was formed by James Hart, lead singer of Orange County metalcore band Eighteen Visions although he left in 2016 and rejoined Eighteen Visions in 2017.

James Hart spent nearly a decade recording and touring as the frontman of Orange County band Eighteen Visions. After their breakup in early 2007, He landed a label deal with Island/Def Jam and began working almost immediately with songwriter Zac Maloy on what would become Burn Halo's self-titled debut.

Between May and October 2007, Hart made week-long treks to Tulsa, Oklahoma to write and demo with Maloy. "I knew that I wanted a clear-cut rock 'n' roll band, which is something I had not had in the past", Hart says of the music. "My vision and my brand of rock 'n' roll without having to compromise on any of the songs or any of the material. I wanted to make a very straightforward rock album. Something that had commercial appeal, but also something that had a classic, vintage mid-'80s throwback vibe to it."

Hart recorded the album between October and November 2007 with Maloy as producer, laying down the tracks with studio musicians, including Nickelback drummer Daniel Adair, former Jane's Addiction bassist Chris Chaney, and guitarist Neal Tiemann who now tours with American Idol winner David Cook. Speaking of Maloy, Hart said: "I really felt like he was able to grasp what I wanted to do and where I wanted to take this. From a producer standpoint I feel like he really knocked it out of the park. As a vocalist he was able to bring a lot out of me instead of having me go through the motions and just get the part right. Emoting a little more than I have in the past. He was really able to pull a lot of character out of my voice."

Two singles were released from the album: "Save Me", which Hart described as the heaviest track on the record, and "Dirty Little Girl", which features Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates. Other tracks include "Here With Me", an emotive throwback ballad. "I wanted to touch more on real life situations and real life stories", Hart says. "I wanted to paint a real life picture. I started listening to country and a lot of those songs are very real and down to earth. They are songs about real life, about situations you would come across with a lover or the loss of a friend or heading down a dark path in life. I wanted it to be really simple and easy to digest. I wanted there to be no question about what I was singing about."

After the album was completed, in early 2008, Island elected not to release Burn Halo's debut, leaving Hart with the tough job of finding a new home for his project. Nothing felt quite right, though, so Burn Halo's manager Bret Bair formed his own label Rawkhead Rekords through Warner Music Group to release the record. Hart spent much of 2008 finalizing the lineup of his touring band, with Aaron Boehler on bass, Joey Cunha (formerly of Die Trying) on lead guitar, Allen Wheeler on rhythm guitar, and Ryan Folden on drums. Drummer Timmy Russell joined the band in March 2009, and soon after that Brandon Lynn on rhythm guitar.

The self-titled album was finally released on March 31, 2009, and the band went on tour in support of the album, going on tour with many high-profile bands all around the US. Starting with a supporting slot on Escape the Fate's tour of February–March 2009, then supporting Avenged Sevenfold with Papa Roach and Buckcherry through the rest of March, and in April–May 2009, a slot playing on the SnowCore tour with Static-X and Saliva. In June–July 2009, the band on their first ever headlining tour of the US with supporting bands New Medicine and Track Fighter.

Touring continued through 2010, with a tour supporting Puddle of Mudd with The Veer Union in April 2010, and a tour supporting Tantric and Adema, through July–September 2010.