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HALESTORM
"Back from the Dead"
(Atlantic; 2022)
Reviewed by Snidermann
Halestorm is made up of brother and sister Lizzy Hale, Arejay Hale. I knew that. What I didn't know was that their father, Roger Hale, was also in the band from 1997 - 2004). He eventually retired to leave it to the kids. How cool is that?
Halestorm are a great band and "Back from the Dead" is another great album from the band. One thing I have always liked about Halestorm is the singer and lead guitarist Lizzy Hale. She adds an extra dimension to the already great band that may be very hard to quantify but that brings the music up a notch. I think the female vocals fit heavy music perfectly, especially here. Ever since I first heard Janis Joplin, The Runaways and then Joan Jett (solo), Pat Benatar and, later, Doro Pesch and Otep Shamaya, I have really dug the female voice in heavy music. Now with Lizzy Hale, and the new batch of female metal singers just rounding out the circuit, things are looking very good.
The songwriting on "Back From The Dead" is nothing if not outstanding, with plenty of head-banging thunderous music, thoughtful lyrics and even (of course) a ballad thrown in for good measure. "Back from the Dead" is a killer heavy music release from start to finish.
Check out more at the bands website http://halestormrocks.com.
"The Strange Case Of..."
(Atlantic; 2012)
Reviewed by Austin Rogers
This is Halestorm’s second album and it’s a lot heavier
than their first.
The first song, and first single, “Love Bites (So Do I),” has great guitar and
great vocals. The last song, and second single, “Here To Us,” is slower than all
the other songs but is still really good. Interestingly, the intro to the second
song, “Mz. Hyde,” sounds like “Mr. Roboto” by Styx but then (like every other
Halestorm song) it kicks you in the pants with its great vocals by Lizzy and
shredding guitar from Joe Hottinger.
The third single, and third track, “I Miss Misery” has guitar that will, in the
words of Lizzy, “Kick you in the face.” The fourth track, and fourth single,
“Freak Like Me,” is a great track to pump your fist to. The tenth track, “You
Call Me a Bitch Like It’s a Bad Thing”, has a cool guitar riff. Finally, te last
song, “American Boys,” has great guitar and vocals straight from the abyss of
darkness.
Halestorm: Lizzy Hale – lead vocals, guitars, keyboards; Arejay Hale – drums,
percussion, backing vocals; Joe Hottinger – lead guitar, backing vocals; Josh
Smith – bass guitar, backing vocals.
Check out more at the bands website
http://halestormrocks.com.
"Halestorm"
(Atlantic; 2009)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
I'm writing this review with fellow reviewer Snidermann in mind. He loves female singers and, when I heard this tough-sounding fem named Lizzy Hale, I just had to nod in his direction. Not only is the lead voice a female who powers each track with her haunting style of delivery, but she also powers it down and seduces you with cuts like "Bet U Wish U Had Me Back." This could be a banner song for a lot of women.
With the label of American hard rock stenciled on their amps, this quartet hails from York, Pennsylvania and, let me tell you, they rock! They've toured with Shinedown, Seether, Flyleaf and Mercy Fall -- not bad company to keep when cutting your teeth on a debut disc.
Stepping to the left of Lizzy is Joe who plays a mean gitfiddle and has some sweet solos on the rockers and can also pick an acoustic with style unmatched. The bass of Josh Smith is solid and Arejay (who is Elizabeth's brother) is an aggressive stick smasher himself. The whole band is tight and you'll delight in the fact that you have another CD to add to the list of fresh music that is being created today.
This disc has eleven songs with an extra song available
to those who snagged the advanced copy of "Halestorm." If you crave more music
then head over to iTunes and grab two more songs and make it fourteen
altogether.
Halestorm: Lizzy Hale - lead vocals, rhythm guitar; Joe Hottinger- lead guitar,
backing vocals; Josh Smith - bass, backing vocals; Arejay Hale - drums,
percussion.
For more information, check out http://halestormrocks.com or http://myspace.com/halestorm.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2023 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
