Up next on the chopping block is another release day rewind review. Now I had done the original review back in February of this year (2025) however had I known about this band releasing a new album I would’ve waited. But in any event, they’re a great band and the that is would be Halestorm. So at the time of this review their new album Everest has dropped so let’s take a look……….
Halestorm- from what I remember this was more on the softer side of things and 2° it is, but I can see why songs off of this album became popular. This does have some great songs on it and for a band that’s so young it’s pretty good.
Previous Score: 7/10
New Score: 7.5/10
Standouts: Wish U Had Me Back, What Were You Expecting, Dirty Work
The Strange Case Of- I forgot how much more of a rock record this one is. It did give us the single Love Bites (So Do I) which is a great song and the rest of the album is just as awesome. I feel like with this one they definitely stepped it up and are more dialed in.
Previous Score: 8/10
New Score: 9.5/10
Standouts: American Boys, Freak Like Me, You Call Me A Bitch Like It’s A Bad Thing
Into The Wild Life- this time around I actually enjoyed this one a lot more. It does seem to be a bit more on the pop side of things rather than just a straight ahead Rock record, but it’s actually a really good follow up. I would say out of the two albums that they have right now it’s probably not as strong but again give this album a chance. There are some hit and miss moments, but as a whole, I would recommend it.
Previous Score: 6/10
New Score: 7.5/10
Standouts: Apocalyptic, Mayhem, Jump The Gun
Vicious- I feel like this one they went back to what they were trying to do on albums like Strange Case. I still think it’s a step up from the previous record and it certainly has more of a hard rock edginess to it. I feel like with this album there’s bigger hooks and just overall there’s a little bit of something for everybody on this album.
Previous Score: 8/10
New Score: 8/10
Standouts: Black Vultures, Killing Ourselves To Live, Uncomfortable
Back From The Dead- I feel like with this album they’ve almost hit their stride in a weird sort of. Like once you’ve seen them live and he listened to this album you kind of get what I mean. I feel like this is their most mature sounding record and just they’re firing on all cylinders here. I definitely feel like that Lizzy’s vocals are probably some of the best and the band sounds better than ever.
Previous Score: 9/10
New Score: 10/10
Standouts: Back From The Dead, My Redemption, The Steeple
Live At Wembley- OK now with certain bands, depending on how many albums they have and most if I feel like it, I will be including a live album. Now they do have another live album on Spotify called Live In Philly 2010 but I picked this one because after seeing them in 2024 this one matches how they sound the best. This is one of those bands that is best experienced live, and this album definitely captures that energy and that sound. I am absolutely giving this album a 10/10.
Standouts: Wicked Ways, I Miss The Misery, Love Bites (So Do I)
Everest- on this day, August 8, 2025 is the day that this album officially drops. If you’re expecting a continuation of Back From The Dead, this isn’t it. It’s a little bit slower than what I was expecting, and it has sort of an 80s hard rock sound. I think the band and the vocals sound great as usual but again it’s just a little bit slower than what I was expecting. Yes there are songs that have that hard rock edge to them but as a whole, this is kind of a slower album. I will give props to them for not doing a whole wash rinse repeat type of thing with this album and I actually enjoyed this one more listening to it a second time. I’m gonna give this one, 8.5/10.
Standouts: WATCH OUT!, K-I-L-L-I-N-G, Darkness Always Wins
As I said before, when I reviewed the live album, this is definitely one of those bands that’s best experienced live. Their albums are great, and you can hear their influence on other bands, but once you see them live these albums hit a little differently. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how bad ass and awesome Lizzy’s vocals are. I mean she’s just a powerhouse of a singer and how she’s able to sing the way she does night after night when they’re on tour is pretty amazing. Even if you watch her perform with other bands like Skid Row or when she was part of the supergroup for the final Black Sabbath show, you can see how great of a vocalist she is. But this band is more than just her. The rest of the band is just as great and for them to be together still for as long as they’ve been around is also pretty awesome. Definitely catch them live when they come through.
Final Grade: B+
Previous Album Rankings:
- Back From The Dead
- The Strange Case Of…
- Vicious
- Halestorm
- Into The Wild Life
New Album Rankings:
- Back From The Dead
- Live At Wembley
- The Strange Case Of…
- Everest
- Vicious
- Into The Wild Life
- Halestorm
Sinister Reviews 