Raw, growling and unapologetically fierce.

Halestorm’s latest masterpiece, aptly titled Everest, hits hard from the moment the first note enters the conversation. Everything about this album is aggressive and purposeful, even the more subdued songs. This gives both new listeners and tried-and-true fans alike something to enjoy.

It opens with “Fallen Star,” and it instantly grabs your attention thanks to a mixture of dynamic, heavy and emotionally charged music. The vocals are commanding, the music thick and immediate. It may not be your usual go-to, but there’s no denying that it’s melodic, emotive and absolutely demands you listen.

The title track, “Everest,” isn’t just pretty on the surface; it’s packed with weight and permanence. The vocals shine, then the guitars come in heavy and fast. It’s powerful, dramatic and feels like it rolls right out of the opener, almost like the songs are telling a story together.

“Shiver” follows with big power-ballad energy. It’s got those guitar solos that stretch out, unique and strong, with great lyrics that perfectly accompany the instrumentals, vocals cutting right through.

Without hesitation, “Like a Woman Can” enters. It starts with piano, soft and melodic, bouncing from speaker to speaker. Then it blooms into something a little poppier than the rest of the record, but it works. The vocals are excellent here, showing Hale’s range at full force.

As the album ebbs and flows, so does “Broken Doll.” It’s on the lighter side in terms of sound, but it hits just as hard in permanence.

Next comes “I Gave You Everything,” another piano-led track at the start. It’s lighter, giving the vocals room to lead before the guitars take over and carry it with lots of solos, layers and aggressive singing.

The entire Everest album is multifaceted — gritty, growly and demanding. It even gives off Spinnerette vibes, with flashes of Brody Dalle’s raw energy. But Lzzy Hale is her own person, not copying anything. Fans of Dalle will appreciate the aggression and rough vocal edges, but what they’re really hearing is Hale carving her own mountain, pushing herself higher with every note.