Anglo-French band HAL have announced the forthcoming release of two albums. HAL hit the charts in 52 countries worldwide in 1997 when they collaborated with X-Files star Gillian Anderson on the Virgin Records single 'Extremis', which was originally a track on the band's 1996 album 'Gorilla Conspiration'. Extremis subsequently appeared on more than 30 compilation albums worldwide, and the video received heavy airplay thanks in part to a provocative performance from Gillian Anderson.

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The release last year of Extremix' which featured remixes of tracks from the original album by artists such as In the Nursery, Humble Brothers, has prompted renewed interest in the band and a European re-release of 'Gorilla' is planned for the Autumn, together with a new mini-album 'Umoya' before the end of the year. Paul Gallagher played the bass lines for this mini-album which is being composed to honour his memory.

'Umoya' will be a taster for the band's current project which will be a 2 CD set which features HAL collaborating with four South African singers who combine traditional vocals with HAL's characteristic dub-laden techno. The band are currently working in South Africa, Belgium and the UK to finish the album.

Confusion has been caused by the emergence of the Irish group signed to Rough Trade who are also using the name HAL.,and the original HAL have been forced to take legal action against Sanctuary Records, the label behind Rough Trade, in order to establish ownership of the name. The legal case continues.

More info:
www.halspirit.com - www.halboutique.com