My first impact with Halestorm was back in 2012 when I saw the band opening for Slash + Myles Kennedy and the conspirators. Lzzy Hale completely shocked me when she opened her mouth and I loved the performance of the band, but once I went home I was disappointed to discover that the sound of the band on the album was completely different, more polished and with way less power and pure rock rage. Finally, after 10 years something has changed with this Back From The Dead, which is still overall a little overproduced (of course for my taste) in some episodes but overall more like when I saw the band live, with the beautiful voice of Lzzy in all her splendor.
Great start with the title track (video at the bottom of the page) and Wicked way, amazing vocal performance in Brightside and in the previous single The steeple (still one of my favourite songs of the year, so far, check my Best of 2022 playlist). The quality is generally very high and choruses like My redemption, I come first and Psycho Crazy show the world how Lzzy is one of the most talented hard rock singers of our generation.
There are still some "a little too pop for my taste" songs like Strange girl, Terrible things or the final Raise your horns, but the vocal performance during the final part of this one is so amazing that it's better for me to shut up and don't complain.
For my taste, this is probably the best Halestorm album, with a perfect length, 11 songs for 38 minutes, some pure rock tracks with a great sound and with a top player behind the microphone, with a tight band behind her.
Rating 72/100
Top tracks: Back From The Dead, Wicked Ways, The Steeple.
Skip track: Strange girl
Tracklisting:
Back From The DeadWicked Ways
Strange Girl
Brightside
The Steeple
Terrible Things
My Redemption
Bombshell
I Come First
Psycho Crazy
Raise Your Horns