Andy Hawkins was the lead guitarist and main songwriter for the instrumental avant rock power trio Blind Idiot God. This obscurely packaged release finds him performing essentially solo (with "additional bass drones" provided by former bandmate Gabe Katz) and apparently adopting the Azonic sobriquet. Musically, it sounds like some of the more abstract portions of Blind Idiot God's output, Hawkins' trademark anthemic strumming bereft of the mighty rhythmic surge provided by Katz and drummer Ted Epstein. Though his vocabulary stays largely within "traditional" rock territory (including large doses of feedback), he wields his weapon of choice with grace, concision, and imagination. On "Headwaters," Hawkins performs in accompaniment to dialogue and sound effects from Apocalypse Now, lines from the movie, explosions, etc., appearing through the guitar haze; a wonderful idea, beautifully executed. One imagines that Bill Laswell, co-credited here with Hawkins for "design and arrangement," may have had a good deal to do with the album's conception. Whoever's responsible, Halo is a strong effort and Hawkins manages to wring some tasty juice from an area, post-Hendrix rock guitar, that most would have considered long since dry. ~ Brian Olewnick