Single Slam – Uncomfortable by Halestorm (Vicious)

American rockers, Halestorm, will release their 4th studio album on July 27th called Vicious. To coincide with that announcement, the band also released the first single from the new album. That single is called Uncomfortable.

Vicious will be released via Atlantic Recordings. It was recorded in Nashville and produced by Nick Raskulinecz who is credited with working with the some big names like Alice in Chains, Foo Fighters and Rush. Vicious will be the band’s 4th studio album since their formation in 1998. They released three EPs in their early years before dropping their self titled debut in 2009. They are a popular band and their third album, Into the Wildlife, propelled them to rock stardom topping charts in many countries like the UK and USA.

Halestorm are founding siblings, Arejay Hale and Lzzy Hale. As well as having questionable name spellings, Lzzy Hale is the lead vocalist but also plays piano, keys and a bit of rhythm guitar while Arejay plays drums and adds backing vocals. On bass we have Josh Smith who actually replaced Lzzy and Arejay’s father, Roger Hale, in 2004. Finally, on lead guitar is Joe Hottinger.

So, Uncomfortable is the first piece of new music from the band in around years. There have been releases in the meantime but only in the form of a live album called Into the Wild Live and a covers EP called Reanimate 3.0. I should start by saying expectations are pretty low for this album as I am not a fan, really. I don’t dislike Halestorm, they just aren’t really my thing.

Uncomfortable doesn’t come close to changing my feelings on Halestorm either. It makes me feel a little uncomfortable really (sorry). The track is a fast enough song with quick drums and a punk edge. Rhythm wise I enjoy it but I don’t really like the fast flowing vocals that accompany the quick riff. A track that appears to be about spitting rage and fire at the world lacks any killer edge to the vocals. Stylistically it reminds of Stone Cold Crazy by Queen with the lyrical speed and song structure but not in quality.

The worst is yet to come though with a chorus that is horrific to listen to. An extended “un” followed by  “comfortable”. There is a slight slow down to a melodic section before a quick electronic melody kicks the song back up into the speedy vocals and slower chorus. I guess I should have seen this coming Not being a fan and all. You have try things though, just because I have never liked a band doesn’t mean I won’t ever but Uncomfortable is not for me.

I find it to be a pretty generic, punk edged rock song. Aggressive lyrics are undermined by a lack of intensity in the vocals and the simplistic but listenable drums and riff are at odds with the vocals. The chorus lacks the most important thing in bland rock, being catchy. Non Halestorm fans aren’t going to be swayed by this though I imagine their large fan base enjoying it. As always though, check it our for yourself and see what you think. You may love it. I doubt that though.

Check out Uncomfortable for yourself here. You can preorder a copy of Vicious from Atlantic, here. Vicious is available on all the usual streaming platforms now. You can also grab it and more from the band at the links below. Find out more about Halestorm at their Facebook, their website and Twitter.

Halestorm are playing a few gigs in the UK in the next few months with one of them being at the very good, small festival Ramblin’ Man in Maidstone. You can get tickets for that here.

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