The first thing you notice about “Fallen Star” is that it’s appreciably heavier. Cinematic in scope, it’s massive—and maybe if you call an album “Everest”, that’s exactly how it should start.
The title track has something of a soundtrack quality to it, too. Everything feels just a little grander in scale. And of course, it suits Lzzy Hale’s voice. With one of the largest ranges in rock, she scales the peaks and explores the valleys with ease.
It’s the story of the band, they reckon: “I have decided to just keep going,” she sings here. In which case, everything else needs to get out of their way.
This time they’ve worked with award-winner Dave Cobb (look him up—if it’s a great record, chances are he’s involved), and he’s given the band’s sixth album real depth and maturity. “Shiver”, for example, is a glorious and emotional power ballad, and the solo from Joe Hottinger soars. There’s even some Iron Maiden-style twin guitar work at the end.
The piano at the start of “Like A Woman Can” is haunting, and if the song has a bit of a soulful vibe, then Lzzy’s astonishing voice carries it all the way home.
A complete, modern, and accomplished hard rock band these days, Halestorm are essentially second to no one at what they do. But when the record was announced, they promised “musical detours”—and they weren’t lying. They’ve never sounded more primal than on “Rain Your Blood On Me”.
Then again, if you think about it, the first single teased from “Everest”, “Darkness Always Wins”, was already an about-turn: a brooding track that shifts from fragile to fist-pumping strength in under five minutes. Perhaps that’s the band in microcosm?
More than ever, there’s an unsettling air to this. The verses of “Gather The Lambs” certainly qualify, while the chorus is gift-wrapped for arenas.
“Watch Out!” changes the dynamic completely—a party, Halestorm-style. “Watch out, that pitch is out for blood!” screams Hale, while brother Arejay beats the kit like it’s late paying him a gambling debt. But this is, above all, an album of light and shade.
To that end, “Broken Doll” largely lurks in the shadows and wonders, “Did you think you could forget me hiding under your bed?”—before it explodes brilliantly.
“K-I-L-L-I-N-G” boasts mighty harmonies to go with its general air of being completely unhinged. “Step into our world if you dare,” they said in interviews—and this exploration of mental illness is surely what they meant.
“I Gave You Everything” might be the track that explains this record best. Surely born from real emotion, its twists and turns echo the band’s survival. More to the point—Lord help whoever it’s about.
“How Will You Remember Me?” sees the credits roll. “What will be my legacy?” muses Hale. But the thing is, they’re nowhere near done. There are more chapters still to write.
What’s beyond doubt, though, is how far they’ve come since MV saw them open for Shinedown 12 or so years ago, covering “Youth Gone Wild”.
Since then, they’ve blossomed into one of the finest modern rock bands around—and with “Everest”, they stand on top of their world.
Rating: 8.5/10
