Last week, Halestorm returned with the release of their brand new album Everest.
A perfect blend of power ballads and classic rock anthems from modern icons, Everest is a twelve-track masterpiece and one of the best releases of the year so far. The main couple of themes I’ve found is resilience, and being true to yourself.
Everest portrays this through the story-telling of Lzzy’s lyrics, accompanied by the tone and range of her voice and the powerful infusion of instruments.
It throws you straight into some theatrical trash with Fallen Star, which is the perfect track to introduce the themes of the album. The title track is a good example of the music reflecting the metaphor, as the chorus feels like they’re pushing on and forcing themselves forward. As if they’re climbing Everest.
Shiver and Darkness Always Wins are great ballads, with clear and impactful contrasts between the verse and choruses. I even found myself clicking along to Darkness Always Wins.
Like a Woman Can is possibly my favourite track. It’s sensual, but powerful. It feels a song from a musical about female rage, the turning-point moment where the woman snaps.
For the second half of the album, it did feel like a little bit of filler. The tracks were still really good quality songs, they just felt a little off-theme. It was like they belonged on a different album. Although, How Will You Remember Me was the best choice for a final track. A nice, soft song. Nostalgic, sentimental and also heart-breaking.
Everest starts so high energy, and ends so softly. It’s full of ups and downs, and tackles many emotions. Halestorm is made up of four very talented individuals, that come together to create pure beauty.
Halestorm will also return to the UK later this year for a tour, which I hope I’ll be lucky enough to catch! Everest is an album I feel needs to be injected into my veins, let alone experienced live. It’s also out now, to stream or buy on a swamp green vinyl!
