Review HALESTORM “Everest”

Halestorm was founded in 1997 by siblings Lzzy and Arejay Hale. Their self-titled debut album, released in 2009, was the band’s first milestone and achieved ‘gold’ status in the US. This album served as a springboard for the band to expand their fanbase. It was the third album, “Into the Wild Life”, that became the international breakthrough release, establishing Halestorm as a permanent force in hard rock music.

Three years after launching “Back from the Dead”, Lzzy Hale and her bandmates are back with “Everest”. This twelve-song release had a first lead single titled “Darkness Always Wins”. It is a rather dark song, kept calm and relying on emotional intensity. Although the second half of the song is heavier, a gloomy vibe runs through the entire song, intensified by a chiming bell.

The next single was the title track, which paints a different picture of the band. What connects both songs is the sombre general vibe that builds to a powerful chorus. It’s as if you’ve reached the peak after a long effort, which resonates in the chorus. What also makes the title track stand out is the hypnotic verse, which is unique and finds its counterpart in the previously mentioned chorus. “Everest” is a cool song and a fitting choice of name for the album.

The beginning of the album, though, is a raw and untamed alternative rock/metal tune. “Fallen Star” builds on a heavy riff and alternates between some soulful moments and heavy outbursts. It’s a roaring, metallic start to the album, and there are more of these blasts throughout.

One of these is ‘WATCH OUT!’, the heaviest and most challenging song on the album. It starts furiously with Halestorm’s trademark screams and a mighty alternative metal riff reminiscent of Godsmack’s “Vampire”, but it is the harmonic structures that create an unexpected arc of suspense. “K-I-L-L-I-N-G” is also one of the heavier songs, with the typical Halestorm screams taking a prominent role.

Starting calmly and growing to a well-crafted rock song is how “Shiver” can be described. This emotional highlight leads to the piano-based intro of ‘Like a Woman Can’, inspired by Nina Simone. Both songs clearly demonstrate Hale’s vocal skills, for which she is known, with her wild screams taking prominent role too. Here, however, she focuses on her singing and raspy vocals, which fit the album very well.

In contrast to the previous two songs, the band moves on to “Rain Your Blood On Me”, a throbbing rock song performed by Halestorm at the “Back to the Beginning” event. “How Will You Remember Me?” is the album’s finale and another song with interesting lyrics. It is a melancholic ending to the album, reflecting on things that have ended and how we will keep the memories alive. It is an emotional way to end the album, but also a touching one, as it certainly reaches an emotional peak with “Everest”.

The title “Everest” is a good choice because it fits well. It describes a band that climbed to the top of the rock music scene step by step, from siblings from Pennsylvania to an internationally respected rock band. “Everest” is Halestorm’s sixth album and their most versatile release to date. It showcases a band that has matured over time, and the ups and downs of life resonate throughout “Everest”.