Caution: prescription side effects include shattered eardrums.

[Photo by David Lawson. View additional photos from 3.10.07]

I've seen a lot of local bands.

I grew up in Orlando, FL, less than half an hour away from Full Sail: a school with a student body better known for heroin addiction than musical talent. Orlando is the heroin capital of the United States, after all.

Thus, not only have I seen a lot of local bands, but I've seen a lot of shitty local bands. I generally have a very low expectations.

So, imagine my surprise when I walked into a show two weekends ago, and actually said to a friend, "How late are we? There's no way this is the opening band."

How delightful to be wrong.

I walked in to see Atlanta post-nü metal band Haloscript exhibiting stage presence, musical intensity, and crowd command like snake charmers at the edge of a serpent pit.

Well, mostly. Sometimes even the best snake charmers get taken by surprise.

Formerly known as Headcheck, Haloscript recently emerged from the recording studio with a refined sound, a new album, and a new name.

"We changed our name because we wanted to emerge from the studio with a fresh image to reflect our fresh sound," said singer Dust Johnson.

The fresh sound Dust refers to formed during several months spent in the studio recording with Clint Lowery (Sevendust, Dark New Day) and Corey Lowery (Stereomud, Dark New Day), time spent polishing what the band started.

"We had a lot of great ideas, but no cohesive sound. You could absolutely tell the difference between songs written by different members of the band," Dust said.

Now, Haloscript has a solid sound they're preparing to release within coming months. They've recorded the album, sent it to Rodney Mills for mastering, and will release it simultaneously with a web site launch, MySpace page re-design, and tour of the Eastern US.

Meanwhile, songs Atlanta in Ashes (featuring Morgan Rose of Sevendust) and Scarlet Canvas are available via Haloscript's MySpace page. Upon release, the album will be available through the band's website and via CDbaby.com. Select Clearchannel affiliates will support the upcoming single.

Currently determining tour dates for the Spring and Summer, Haloscript plans to visit Jacksonville in May. Which is lucky for us: as is the case with most alternative metal and nü metal bands, the album is good, but the live show is where it's at.

March 10, Haloscript opened for Sevendust, In Vitro and Diecast at the Atlanta stop of Sevendust's Alpha Tour.

During Haloscript's set, water splashed onto the sound board, located behind the crowd. Initially, nobody knew exactly what happened, but assumed that Haloscript was playing at the time, thus were responsible.

Afterwards, the band was cleared. Video taken that night shows no wrongdoing; a member of the crowd, not a member of the band, grabbed a water bottle from the stage and tossed it back.

Since the incident, Haloscript made sure the bands affected by the night's events harbor no hard feelings. According to Dust, everyone understands it was a fluke accident.

Which is excellent for everyone involved.

Because Haloscript is a band ready to make some noise. And, I assure you, they are well-equipped to do so.

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Haloscript is a five-piece Rock/Metal band based in Marietta, GA. Members include Dustin "Dust" Johnson (vocals), "Saint" Andrew Woods (guitar, vocals), Jamison Wathen (bass), Charlotte Kelli (keyboard, vocals), and Lance Adair (drums).