Halestorm Everest Album Review Cosa Nostra pr

Review By Darren McIntyre

Halestorm hail from Red Lion, Pennsylvania but now reside in Nashville, Tennessee and this 4 piece juggernaut are just going from strength to strength with their gutsy, riff laden power vocals that have gathered them legions of fans around the world. Halestorm were originally formed in 1997 and brought us their self – titled debut album in 2009, the band are one of the hardest working bands on the circuit right now and typically perform around 250 shows a year, the band have given us Halestorm in 2009, The Strange Case Of in 2012, Into The Wild Life in 2015, Vicious in 2018, Back From The Dead in 2022 & on the 8th August the ferocious 4 piece bring us their blistering new offering Everest for our listening pleasure. Please join me as I take us through this 12 song volcanic eruption.

Fallen Star – Bursting out the gate comes this dirty, shredding power driven guitar riff that just sets the scene of this opening salvo that just gets us all hot under the collar as Lzzy releases those powering vocals. The thundering snare drum salvo works so well with the killer twin guitar assault that is being laid before us as the crisp, clean riffs kick in the doors and really give it to us both barrels, the flow is just incredible as we feel the intensity oozing from each musician as we get punches in the face with the sheer melodic rocking groove that is oozing from the very thread of this killer opening track. The soaring vocals are just taking this track to another place as we feel the energy, swagger coming for us right now, the rhythm section is controlling the whole arrangement as we get smacked right in the face with the growling snare drum punches as the bass kicks come armed with sheer depth and attitude and what a way to open this solid slab of pure rock n roll.

Everest – The crunching, galloping guitar riff lets this track cut loose as Lzzy brings her smouldering, power drenched vocals that really gives this track licence to kick ass. The full on bassline is coming through and hitting us with dar, delicious tones that just wrap themselves around this fist pumping, foot stomping groover that just hits the spot. The band are sounding awesome as the blood, sweat and tears are all worth it as this slow, murmering beast rears it’s head and lets us know that Halestorm are back and letting us know they mean business, this is a slick, well crafted track that unleashes sweet, melodic guitar licks that are held together with the thundering rhythm section as it navigates it’s way through this killer track as the emotion oozes from every member as they leave their mark on this classic, riff laden rock n roll monster that is just delivering on every level.

Shiver – A punchy, pounding rhythm section gets this rock n roll ballad underway as Lzzy lets her smouldering vocals take the lead as this crunching beast comes to life as the snare drum beats control the tone of this epic tune. The shredding guitar licks are flowing effortlessly through the track as cool, mellow keys are littered throughout the whole arrangement as we just stop and feel the emotion laden track tell it’s own story as the band take us on a different path with this real thought provoking number that lets us drift off and feel the tone wash over us, the dark, mellow bassline is wrapping itself around this epic number as we lose ourselves in the musicality that is coming from this stunning 4 piece outfit as a slick, clean solo reaches us and lets us know that this band are the real deal.

Like A Woman Can – Piano tones linger through the intro as a darkness falls upon us as the smouldering vocals let the track breathe as the rhythm section comes in with a solid, punchy snare drum kick that brings the bass kicks along for good measure. The rawness is shining through as the band really opens up with this incredible thought provoking number that certainly shines a light on this colossal band as they power through with this epic album that is just ticking all the boxes, the full on delicious bassline is handing us mellow, dark tones that fit the arrangement perfectly. The killer solo slips in and really takes the track to somewhere new as we feel the intensity shining through as the track builds and builds with it’s layers of smouldering rock n roll that just allows the band to express themselves. The epic piano tones really lifts the composition for sure.

Rain Your Blood On Me – Pounding bass kicks let this killer track break free as the shredding power riffs rip through the opening salvo with ease as the thundering groove stops us in our tracks as we really let the band take the lead. The colossal vocals are really letting the track tell it’s own story as we welcome a dark, brooding bassline that just wraps itself around this foot stomping rock n roller bruiser that lets the rhythm section break free and shower us with a thundering groove of snare drum punches that welcome a kick ass tone that allows the track to take us on this rollercoaster ride of pure melodic rock that just gets the juices flowing for sure as the band are cooking up a storm with their thought provoking, attutide driven lyrics that tell us Halestorm are giving us what we want and so rightly deserve.

Darkness Always Wins – A slow piercing guitar pick wanders freely through the opening as Lzzy brings her smouldering vocals that allows the track to come alive as we feel the emotion pouring from the start. Piano tones are again leaning in and letting the track breache as the tempo changes pace and brings a sizzling guitar riff that really brings the track to life, the rhythm section is again commanding the room with it’s ear shattering beat that compliments this riff laden rock ballad as the band are just building and building with their raw, edgy tone that is what makes this band something special. The cool full on bassline is handing us sweet, melodic tones that mix really well with this slick, smooth track as a killer solo breaks free and lets us feel the intense lyrics that are filling the air as the band comes at us with all they have as they really pour their heart and soul into this colossal track that is just incredible.

Gather The Lambs – There is a real eerie feel to this track as we get cool, mellow guitar picks that let the track open as the tone changes direction as Lzzy unleashes her powering vocals that really lets the track gather momentum. The cool, full on bassline is hitting us with epic grooves that really punch us straight in the face as the shredding, power ravaged licks come at us with sheer vengeance as this fist pumping groover hits us like a thunderbolt, the pounding snare drum beats really give the track juice as we feel the intense tone come for us as Lzzy brings the soul and groove with the band really delivering the goods from everywhere else.

Watch Out – A rousing guitar riff erupts from the getgo as this pounding monster makes itself known to us as the band kicks in the doors with this gritty, rasping power driven number that is ticking all the boxes. The rhythm section is hitting us from all sides as we feel the intensity wrap itself around us as Lzzy cuts loose and unleashes her killer vocals on us all, this is a real well crafted track that is giving us a full on bassline that is fast, furious and lets the low end take us to another place as we just get swept along in the musical madness that is unravelling before us. The power driven guitar riffs are just incredible as we are feeling the energy ripping out of every musician as they tell their own story for sure.

Broken Doll – Bass kicks are getting this epic track off the ground as the tempo changes pace as the colossal vocals shatter the silence as we allow ourselves to be sucked into Freakworld. The shredding guitar riffs are solid with a clean line as the band hits their stride and gives us a real punchy, rasping track that is hitting all the right notes as it takes us one way then the next as we just lose ourselves in the musicality that is being laid before us. The thundering snare drum beats are solid and really cement themselves in this awesome arrangement as the dark, brooding bassline wraps itself around the shuddering groove that is coming at us right now.

K-I-L-L-I-N-G – We get a cool foot stomping RATM tone as this thundering riff laden track erupts and really gives us a crisp, shredding power driven track that allows Lzzy the freedom to shatter the air with her colossal mind blowing vocals that really let us know that Halestorm are back and firing on all cylinders. This slick, powering track is just ripping up the playbook and allowing the band to really experiment and give us their best, punchy, rasping guitar riff laden album that is just awesome.

I Gave You Everything – A dark, riffed guitar intro really gives us a shake as Lzzy and the boys hit the ground running with this thundering melodic track that brings in a cool, funk laden bassline that really gives the track a swagger esque feel as we throw our fists in the air and really let this track take us to somewhere new. The gritty, rasping vocals are just letting the track break free as we get a six string solo that just stops us in our tracks as the band comes for us in a big way let me tell you, we are getting thundering beats, shredding power driven twin guitar licks that just allows the track to breathe and tell it’s own story as the piano tones litter themselves all through the track and let us feel the intensity oozing from this awesome outfit.

How Will You Remember Me – Piano tones are flowing through the intro as Lzzy lets her awesome vocals bring the track to life as we get a punchy, snare driven groove that lets the track come at us. The bass kicks let the rhythm flow effortlessly as the bassline drops in and hits us with full on mellow tones that just catch us unaware, the slick, clean guitar licks are letting the tone flow freely as the band grabs us and shakes us with all it has as an electrifying solo breaks out and really elevates the track to another level as we let ourselves be taken to somewhere new as the band just picks up where they left off as they deliver a no nonsense 12 track onslaught that will have you reaching for the repeat button.

Halestorm –

Lzzy Hale – Vocals / Guitar

Joe Hottinger – Guitars

Josh Smith – Bass

Arejay Hale – Drums

Track Listing –

Fallen Star

Everest

Shiver

Like A Woman Can

Rain Your Blood On Me

Darkness Always Wins