Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Third in the Halestorm series of cover EPs which are always a diverse mix of hard rock, metal, and whatever pop they want to throw in the bucket. "Still of the Night" (Whitesnake) snarls and showcases Lzzy' immense lungs. "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" (Sophie B. Hawkins) keeps the longing of the original. "Heathens" (Twenty One Pilots) should hit the younger fans. "Fell On Black Days" (Soundgarden) felt underwhelming without the treble of Chris Cornell. Anchor song "Ride the Lightning" (Metallica) has the vocal power, especially on the choruses, which only Lzzy has. Production is a bit heavy with the bass giving the rock songs more beef, but the metal tunes lose some of their guitar bite. Lzzy needs to be up closer in the mix. At less than 30 minutes, you can't really find a central heart in 3.0. It was probably knocked out in a day and an indulgent tribute to their own favorites. Hardcore fans will buy it and casuals will pick out singles. Personally, I liked it better than 2.0, but less than 1.0. The cover is an odd one. It looks like a Cubist version of Metallica's new Hardwired... release.