Halestorm have always embraced cover songs. In 2011 they released ‘ReAniMate: The CoVeRs eP.' More recently, Lzzy Hale sang ‘Close My Eyes Forever’ with David Draiman on Device’s self-titled debut and also sang Duran Duran’s ‘Come Undone’ with Adrenaline Mob on their 2012 album ‘Omerta.’ One of the best covers they have done is ‘Empire State of Mind’ from last year’s ‘The Live Room’ EP.


‘ReAniMate 2.0: The CoVeRs eP’ picks up right where the first one left off. The song selection is similar, with the band choosing a variety of different styles to cover, from current pop to classic rock to old school metal.

The six song album kicks off with ‘Dissident Aggressor,’ originally done by Judas Priest on their 1977 ‘Sin After Sin’ album. They picked a great band to cover, and didn’t choose an obvious song of theirs. Rob Halford is a tough act to follow, but Lzzy’s pipes are up to the challenge. Lzzy and Joe Hottinger also get to channel K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton with thick guitar riffs and a shredding solo.

Just as they did on ‘ReAniMate’ with Lady Gaga’s ‘Bad Romance,’ on this album Halestorm picked a song that has been atop the charts recently in Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky.’ They put their own hard rock spin on it, making it sound different from the original, which was a wise decision since the song has been so ubiquitous this year.

Lzzy’s vocal versatility is best demonstrated on AC/DC’s ‘Shoot to Thrill’ and Pat Benatar’s ‘Hell Is for Children.’ The former is rough-edged and rollicking, a simple yet effective song. Benatar is a classically trained singer, and ‘Hell Is for Children,’ even though it rocks, requires a more subtle approach. Lzzy is able to pull off Brian Johnson’s rasp and Benatar’s more dynamic style equally well.

The most predictable song on the EP is ‘Gold Dust Woman.’ Originally done by Fleetwood Mac, it has been covered numerous times over the years, most notably by Hole in 1996. Halestorm give a faithful rendition of the classic, with Lzzy even emulating Stevie Nicks’ distinctive vibrato style in places.

The EP goes out with a bang, as Halestorm take on Marilyn Manson’s ‘1996.’ ‘ReAniMate 2.0: The CoVeRs eP’ is a fun and entertaining listen, and gives Stormers something to tide them over until the band’s next full-length.

4 Stars
loading...

 

 

More From Loudwire