Rocker (feedbot)
Gold Member
Halestorm have a lot of soul, and they’re laying it bare for us. As soon as ‘Darkness Always Wins’ dropped as an advance, we knew we were in for something on a geological scale. As it turns out, ‘Everest’ is the best possible metaphor for this album; a mountain to conquer, to ponder and to overcome, that provokes the unearthing of your deepest hopes and fears as climb. Halestorm have have conquered their peak and there’s a lot to embrace from heir journey.
The previews we got only told half the story. ‘Rain Your Blood On Me’ could have been a Zeal and Ardor demo refreshed and repurposed, such is the mournful and almost tribal intro that sweeps into all encompassing heaviness. The aforementioned ‘Darkness Always Wins’ flips expectations on their heads, drifting from misty opening to a full-on lighters-out ballad which stomps over personal regrets. Title track ‘Everest’ completes the trio of teasers; a straightforward, retro chanter, it drips in promise of the reward at the end of the struggle.
So far, so heavy. But then we’re hit with ‘Like A Woman Can’. A gender-ambiguous love song which gives Lzzy Hale the chance to finally show off the magnificence of the blues end of her vocal range. It’s soulful, unexpected, and not what we’ve come to associate with the Halestorm we’ve come to know over the years in the best possible way. There’s a story wrapped in every aching note and it deserves it’s own album. The heartbreak continues with ‘I Gave You Everything’,wistful and rage filled, punctuated with gothic samples and twiddly solos. The principle behind ‘Everest’ is that each of the members of the band are represented individually among the tracks, and whoever’s received the “it’s not you, it’s me” text is writing some seriously complex and intriguing breakup songs.
Even when there’s a clunky song, it’s got the potential for stadium solidarity that enables us to forgive. ‘How Will You Remember Me’ feels like a dad-rock hit from drive time radio, but for all the schmalz, we know that it’ll stir hearts on their next tour. Similarly, ‘Fallen Star’ makes for a bold opener if we ignore the cliched power ballad lyrics in favour of singalong potential and subtle guitar licks which burst into resolute riffs. Ok, ‘Broken Doll’ might be lyrically unsubtle but with a tough of grunge in the echoes? We’ve got a taste of darkness which will entrance fans live. We can ignore a lot when it’s presented with class and as a whole effort, ‘Everest’ rises above these occasional moments of dissatisfaction.
The fact is that Hailstorm are very good at what they do. They warmed up for Iron Maiden on their last tour, and as an amuse bouche before the main event Halestorm are perfect. They’ve found a niche that works for them, challenging but not too challenging, which has earned them an army of fans. The second that they reach out of their comfort zone – the atmospheric opening to ‘Everest’, the sapphic overtones to ‘Like A Woman Can’ – that they shine, offering hints at alternate paths in which the clear talent of Halestorm are used for glorious and more nefarious purposes. Regardless, they’ve scaled the peaks of their figurative mountain and emerged stronger on the other side, with thoughtful moments ready for billboards and just a hint of the darkness we wish they’d release.
KATE ALLVEY
The previews we got only told half the story. ‘Rain Your Blood On Me’ could have been a Zeal and Ardor demo refreshed and repurposed, such is the mournful and almost tribal intro that sweeps into all encompassing heaviness. The aforementioned ‘Darkness Always Wins’ flips expectations on their heads, drifting from misty opening to a full-on lighters-out ballad which stomps over personal regrets. Title track ‘Everest’ completes the trio of teasers; a straightforward, retro chanter, it drips in promise of the reward at the end of the struggle.
So far, so heavy. But then we’re hit with ‘Like A Woman Can’. A gender-ambiguous love song which gives Lzzy Hale the chance to finally show off the magnificence of the blues end of her vocal range. It’s soulful, unexpected, and not what we’ve come to associate with the Halestorm we’ve come to know over the years in the best possible way. There’s a story wrapped in every aching note and it deserves it’s own album. The heartbreak continues with ‘I Gave You Everything’,wistful and rage filled, punctuated with gothic samples and twiddly solos. The principle behind ‘Everest’ is that each of the members of the band are represented individually among the tracks, and whoever’s received the “it’s not you, it’s me” text is writing some seriously complex and intriguing breakup songs.
Even when there’s a clunky song, it’s got the potential for stadium solidarity that enables us to forgive. ‘How Will You Remember Me’ feels like a dad-rock hit from drive time radio, but for all the schmalz, we know that it’ll stir hearts on their next tour. Similarly, ‘Fallen Star’ makes for a bold opener if we ignore the cliched power ballad lyrics in favour of singalong potential and subtle guitar licks which burst into resolute riffs. Ok, ‘Broken Doll’ might be lyrically unsubtle but with a tough of grunge in the echoes? We’ve got a taste of darkness which will entrance fans live. We can ignore a lot when it’s presented with class and as a whole effort, ‘Everest’ rises above these occasional moments of dissatisfaction.
The fact is that Hailstorm are very good at what they do. They warmed up for Iron Maiden on their last tour, and as an amuse bouche before the main event Halestorm are perfect. They’ve found a niche that works for them, challenging but not too challenging, which has earned them an army of fans. The second that they reach out of their comfort zone – the atmospheric opening to ‘Everest’, the sapphic overtones to ‘Like A Woman Can’ – that they shine, offering hints at alternate paths in which the clear talent of Halestorm are used for glorious and more nefarious purposes. Regardless, they’ve scaled the peaks of their figurative mountain and emerged stronger on the other side, with thoughtful moments ready for billboards and just a hint of the darkness we wish they’d release.
KATE ALLVEY