ALBUM REVIEW: Everest – Halestorm
Ever since their self titled debut album in 2009, HALESTORM have treated us to a multitude of incendiary metal anthems. The roaring voice of frontwoman Lzzy Hale remains to this day iconic as the band have cemented themselves as one of modern metal’s great bands. This year sees them aiming high with their sixth album, Everest and having booked huge slots at the biggest metal festivals and sold out Wembley Arena, a huge arena tour is now on the horizon. The question that’s on our minds is, is Everest the album that can springboard them to greatness?
The opening track is as classic as it gets with HALESTORM. It brings an enormity with it that does indicate that the band is ready for the next step. From the get go, the whirlwind of sound hits you like a hammer does an anvil as Hale’s growling voice joins the fray with a cool echo effect on it that gives it an other worldly feel, Everest has well and truly gotten started as it sets the standard for the rest of the record with it’s METALLICA inspired thrash sound. Everest follows on, opening on some creepy sounding vocals that wouldn’t feel amiss from a Tim Burton movie. The slow build up is wonderful as it builds up through its monstrous riffs before concluding in huge fashion in a storm of wailing guitars. Shiver is another track that wears its influences on its sleeve, the opening chords are very reminiscent of that of QUEEN with the influence remaining throughout. It’s the perfect excuse for Hale to show off her wonderful vocal prowess as she goes through many ranges throughout the track without ever breaking a sweat, you could listen to her for hours.
Like A Woman Can is a sexy blues sounding number which has an almost noir-film feel to it. You can easily picture a femme-fatale singing this in a neon red soaked jazz bar rejecting every man that comes forward in favour of women instead with the song pretty much stating that women understand each other more than men do, it’s one of the highlights of the album and once again sees Lzzy Hale truly at the top of her game, delivering one of her best vocal performances in years in what feels like a heavy version of AMY WINEHOUSE. The highlights don’t stop there either, Rain Your Blood On Me brings in a great sing-a-long track where the thought of seeing it live is truly exciting. It’s a throwback to that classic metal sound that was so popular in the late 70s and early 80s. Whilst the album has been going at pretty much 100mph the whole listen, Darkness Always Wins slows the album down with a softer touch. It’s possibly one of the weaker tracks on the record as we know that HALESTORM are capable of doing the bombastic ballad from previous albums. The back end of the track does make up for this however but it does feel like this song could have been trimmed from the album.
Gather The Lambs picks up the pace with an earnest and heartfelt track that brings an emotional punch to the album, which continues to be bolstered by the vocals on display from Hale and is one of the songs definitely aimed playing huge arenas throughout the world, expect lighters (or more likely phone torches) in the air when performed live. WATCH OUT! is wonderful, explosive and cathartic as you will be singing “WATCH OUT THAT BITCH IS OUT FOR BLOOD” at the top of your voice as a sumptuous riff backs it up, another highlight of the album. Broken Doll is another sinister sounding track from listening, once again, the METALLICA influences rear their head throughout and you’re almost expecting James Hetfield’s voice to join in on vocals when listening. As you approach the back end of the album, K-I-L-L-I-N-G is another fast paced offering that is another ear worm to boot with a delightful bounce brought to it with the great riffs and thunderous drums.
Penultimate track I Gave You Everything is another track that starts off slow before building up to a huge crescendo of sound. However this time, it’s a track that works. Hale’s vocals start off soft alongside the music before yet another arena sized riff joins the fray before Hale’s voice evolves back into her infamous roar and doesn’t let up until the track comes to an end. You can feel every piece of emotion that goes into Hale’s delivery and there’s no denying that she genuinely is one of music’s greatest vocal talents. How Will You Remember Me? is a fine victory lap for what is an otherwise solid album which genuinely leaves you questioning how people will remember your legacy when you’re no longer here, it brings in some nice nostalgic feelings as you search your mind for precious memories of loved ones whilst listening, which HALESTORM has had a knack for in previous albums, bringing a lump to your throat with the lyrics “Life goes on in memory”, a nice reminder that even when those who aren’t here physically are always around you.
The answer to the question we posed at the start is: absolutely. Everest is the album that is going to give HALESTORM that step up to stardom and will solidify their places amongst rock greats. In a heavily male dominated industry, Lzzy Hale and the gang have always been a breath of fresh air that acts as a beacon to other female or femme-presenting acts that are well due their moment in the spotlight. These songs will be welcome in cavernous arenas and who knows, maybe one day they’ll be even more welcome at the top of the bill at places like Download and Bloodstock, they’ve more than earned their salt to do so.
Rating: 8/10
Everest is out now via Atlantic Records.
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