The music industry is swamped with bands, fronted by female vocalist, and this band is no different. Halestorm are a four-piece band hailing from Pennsylvania, and since the phenomenal EP release, ‘Hello, It’s Mz. Hyde’, they are about to exhibit their full-length album; ‘The Strange Case Of…’ The long wait is finally over, and Halestorm have gone to town on their second album.
There is a phenomenal amount of improvement from their self-titled album (April 28th 2009). The album is urging, and ready to embrace the boundaries, it’s a combination of aggressive and mellow tracks. Halestorm appear dangerous and ready to bring what they do best, in front of us, for all to see. It’s an album with new sounds, tempos and a different attitude, they’re still Halestorm, but they’ve stepped it up a level. The album opens with ‘Love Bites (So Do I)’, it is introduction to the start of an album fuelled by rhythmic guitar riffs and echoing bass lines. It kick starts the album and opens your mind up to what else the band have produced.
The single, ‘Mz. Hyde’ continues to be an addictive track. It is dark and mysterious, but embraced by Lzzy’s innocent voice, it becomes dark and twisted and entwines with the deep beat of the drums. The tracks flows into ‘I Miss The Misery’, a brilliant song, that is sure to get anyone singing along and acting out their parts to the track. ‘I Miss The Misery’ is different, unusual to some standards in comparison to other tracks on the album. It appears slow and mellow, but the drums and the rich sounds of the guitar riffs create it into a soaring mixture of a crowd-pleaser. Jumping into ‘Freak Like Me’, it is prominently the drums which make this song what it is. The drums are edgy, loud and dark – get your mosh self ready and start a pit.
‘Beautiful With You’, it is evident that it is light, but it also exhibits what the band is capable of producing. A typical summer type track, it is delicate and beautiful, the raw vocals of Lzzy at her best. The album progresses into a slower attitude, it is peaceful and exciting to hear Lzzy’s vocals break into something different. ‘In Your Room’ is a stripped track; it brings forth the elements of great vocals, backed with cymbals and the quiet strum of the guitar. It is a track with dark emotion, but expressed within a beautiful style.
‘Break In’ is the one track that truly captures the raw talent in Lzzy’s vocals. It is the track that concludes the trio of ballads, but it is also the track that expresses the pure emotion throughout the entirety of the album. Moving away from the sombre part of the album, ‘Rock Show’ erupts into a type of anthem. It proposes big ideas, elegant solos and moving vocals, which is targeted towards their fans.
The track turns into a short monologue; “This goes out to everyone whose heart beats like a kick drum…” – they’re words of encouragement to the thousands of people listening. ‘Daughter of Darkness’ is a track that Halestorm have demonstrated their ability to try different types of sounds. This attempt has worked and produced a great rock album of 2012. The track is rough, but pushes all the right buttons, it is most definitely a track to be played live.
‘You Call Me A Bitch Like It’s A Bad Thing’ is one of Halestorm’s classic rock styled track. It is a combination of smooth vocals, enriched by the guitar riffs and the classic guitar solos. ‘American Boys’ hooks onto the rock vibe, it picks up its tempo as the track unleashes itself. It isn’t one of greatest tracks on the album, but it does highlight the country rock soul. Halestorm have pulled it out the bag with this album.
The final track, ‘Here’s To Us’, rounds up the album, it ends on an acoustic note. It rectifies the country sound, but it reinforced by Lzzy’s vocals, because, it is another track that prominently raw vocals.
Halestorm are full of surprises, their attitude towards their music is outstanding. It is an album that is well worth a listen, with a lot more potential from this band in the near future.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
There is a phenomenal amount of improvement from their self-titled album (April 28th 2009). The album is urging, and ready to embrace the boundaries, it’s a combination of aggressive and mellow tracks. Halestorm appear dangerous and ready to bring what they do best, in front of us, for all to see. It’s an album with new sounds, tempos and a different attitude, they’re still Halestorm, but they’ve stepped it up a level. The album opens with ‘Love Bites (So Do I)’, it is introduction to the start of an album fuelled by rhythmic guitar riffs and echoing bass lines. It kick starts the album and opens your mind up to what else the band have produced. 
