Halestorm is getting better and better, and Everest, in my opinion, is their best album so far.
For the first time, the band worked with country producer Dave Cobb, known for his work with Country artists like Brandi Carlile and Chris Stapleton. The result is a powerful and no frills production, exactly the way I like it.
Led by Lzzy Hale (I don't want to write again what a superb singer she is), and comprised of 12 songs for 48 minutes of music, the compositions in Everest are more arena-driven than ever and ready to be anthems in the band's live performances. There are lots of epic moments, like the chorus of "Darkness Always Wins", the title track (fantastic drumming there!), or the entire "Rain Your Blood on Me" (which I saw live for the first time about a month ago at Black Sabbath’s Back To The Beginning concert, love at first listen). I also really like the old-fashioned style of "Like A Woman Can", the latest single, which could be a song from the '60s with a different production.
There are fantastic guitar parts too by Joe Hottinger, with the solos becoming epic as well (check out Gather the Lambs and WATCH OUT!, for instance). The album is remarkably balanced in terms of moods, eclectic, and never repetitive, with a few experimental bits, such as "K-I-L-L-I-N-G", the almost Grunge "I Gave You Everything," and the final (and traditional) ballad, "How Will You Remember Me?" with intense lyrics.
Everest is an outstanding album in every aspect and, in my opinion, the best one of Halestorm's career. Give it a listen, you won't regret it. You will definitely see this one in my personal 2025 Top 10.
Rating 78/100
Top Tracks: Darkness Always Wins, Everest, Rain Your Blood on Me.