I’ve been on the Halestorm train for almost two decades now. Back when I was just starting my rock-writing journey, they were one of my first live reviews — a killer night that paired them with Bullet for My Valentine. It also happened to fall on my birthday, so yeah, I was stoked.
Fast forward to today, and the band has dropped their latest album, Everest. It’s a lofty title for a group that’s already scaled some serious musical peaks — and I have no problem with that confidence.
Where do I take issue? The music. Too often, it feels generic and, frankly, tired. I didn’t find anything to truly sink my teeth into until track six, “Darkness Always Wins.” That’s unusual for a band that prides itself on coming out swinging.
To their credit, Halestorm does unleash some neck-wreckers here. “Rain Your Blood On Me,” “Fallen Star,” and “WATCH OUT!” hit hard and remind you what they’re capable of. But then you’ve got tracks like “Gather the Lambs” and “Broken Doll,” which feel like filler—momentum killers that had me checking the clock. “K-I-L-L-I-N-G” was another misstep I was ready to be done with.
Thankfully, they stick the landing with “How Will You Remember Me?” — a strong closer that leaves a better taste in my ears.
Look, no band in history has delivered a perfect catalog. I still love Halestorm, and I’ll keep riding with them. But Everest isn’t a record I see myself playing on repeat.
Standout Tracks: “Darkness Always Wins,” “Rain Your Blood On Me,” “Fallen Star”
Rating: 7/10
— THE MAESTRO
