HalestormConversations are ongoing regarding who will lead the next crop of hard rock festival headliners once the current heavyweights retire.
Halestorm have been name-checked during said discussions at times, and are seemingly rapidly working their way towards that mantle, as this LP reinforces. The quartet's MO has been apparent for a few records now — slick, well-produced, major label hard rock loaded with stomping riffs and choruses so catchy that they may require the World Health Organisation to reclassify them as a disease. There are nods to classic rock, blues and grunge, but no pretension. They don't pretend to be anything they're not, which is admirable. It's not really going to challenge anyone, but it works.
Cuts like anthemic Killing Ourselves To Live, ballad Heart Of Novocaine or furious Uncomfortable could be ham-fisted, or perhaps overly earnest, if recited by many other modern rock acts. However, led by Lzzy Hale, a bona fide star bustling with charisma, sultry demeanour and golden pipes (perhaps best showcased on grandiose closer The Silence), they largely get away with it. Ditto Skulls, which packs swagger and melody in spades. She's aided by an adept band who, to paraphrase Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, know their role and recognise when to let their dynamic leader be at the forefront.
Four albums in, devotees know what to expect, and Vicious hits the bullet points that said fans will demand.
