Everest proves Halestorm isn’t just sticking to what they know, they’re growing, experimenting, and still making music that hits harder than ever before…

Words by Felix Bartlett | August 05, 2025

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Halestorm has always been one of rock’s most reliable bands, the kind you can count on for big riffs, bigger vocals, and songs that make you want to crank the volume. But with Everest, their sixth album, they’ve done something unexpected; they’ve levelled up. This isn’t just another solid Halestorm record, it’s their most daring, emotional, and flat-out impressive work yet.

Right from the opening track, Fallen Star, it’s clear this isn’t business as usual. The song swings between full-throttle rock and moody, stripped-down moments, setting the tone for an album that keeps you guessing. The title track, ‘Everest’, is a slow-burning monster, heavy in a way that’s more about feeling than speed. Lzzy Hale’s voice (always a powerhouse) sounds even more raw and real here, like she’s singing straight from the gut.

What makes Everest special is how much ground it covers. There are still plenty of epic anthems that are sure to tear down venue walls. ‘Raining Your Blood On Me’ and ‘*K-I-L-L-I-N-G*’ are the two that leapt out to me most, with the latter being arguably one of their heaviest tracks yet! That’s not to say the rest of the album follows the same format, instead the band have taken a few risks. ‘Like a Woman Can’ is a soulful, bluesy ballad that shows off Lzzy’s softer side, while ‘Shiver’ strips things down to just piano and voice, proving Lzzy doesn’t need distortion to sound massive. Even ‘Darkness Always Wins’, the album’s lead single, builds from a whisper to a scream, with a chorus that sticks in your head for days.

Working with producer Dave Cobb (who’s known for his work with country and folk artists) might seem like an odd choice for a Hailstorm, but believe me, it pays off. The production is grittier and more live-sounding than Halestorm’s past albums, giving the songs an extra punch in the gut. You can hear every snare hit, every growl in Lzzy’s voice, and every crunch of the guitars. It makes the whole thing feel more urgent, like you’re hearing the band play right in front of you.

Holding this album back from being perfection, however, is that Everest sometimes feels like it’s pulling in two directions; the experimental tracks don’t always mesh perfectly with the straight-up bangers. But in a certain sense that even that feels intentional, almost as though the album steers away from sticking to a formula but rather explores taking chances. By the time you reach the closing ballad, ‘How Will You Remember Me‘, it all clicks. Halestorm are changing the tide, moving away from just rehashing their old hits and instead pushing forward, resulting in one of their most exciting album in years.

Halestorm has always been a solid rock band, but Everest shows they’re not afraid to take things to the next level. This album is louder, riskier, and more emotional than anything they’ve done before, and it pays off. There’s a real sense of growth here, from the huge anthems to the stripped-back, personal moments. Sure, not every song fits together perfectly, but that’s kind of the point, it feels like they’re trying new things and pushing themselves. Everest proves Halestorm isn’t just sticking to what they know, they’re growing, experimenting, and still making music that hits harder than ever before.

Verdict: 💀💀💀💀

For fans of: In This Moment, Alter Bridge, Dorothy

Everest is out August 8 via Atlantic Records