Halestorm Deliver A Strong Sophomore Album

Halestorm is a band with a real old school attitude when it comes to the music business. They practically live on the road as it seems like they are always on tour. They have also established a reputation for being one of the most fan friendly bands out there. In this viral age that we live in, news travels faster than ever and the internet can be a double edged sword for any band.

A lot has happened to the band since their breakout self-titled album was released in 2009. Although they still play small clubs, they have also shared the stage with the big boys on such tours as Avalanche and the Rockstar Uproar Festival. In an industry where more and more female fronted bands are emerging, Halestorm have proven that they are the real deal and not an overnight sensation.

Since breaking out in 2009, the band released the Live in Philly 2010 album, ReAniMate: The CoVeRs eP and Hello, It’s Mz. Hyde. The last was a very smart marketing move for the band as it was a four song preview of the much anticipated new album. It did more than just wet the appetites of their fans, it got a buzz brewing inside the industry that this album may just be something really special.



The Strange Case Of… is easily one of the most anticipated albums of 2012 and it definitely delivers in a major way. The album opens with “Love Bites (So Do I)” which is the first single and has blown up big at rock radio. It showcases a sassy, aggressive side to lead singer Lzzy Hale and the song rocks out in a major way. Just as you try and catch your breath, the drums march you into the equally rock worthy “Mz. Hyde”. When Lzzy sings “welcome to the nightmare in my head”, you know this isn’t some wet behind the ears rookie band penning these powerful lyrics.

“I Miss the Misery” is a twisted little number lyrically. Lzzy sings of missing the bad things: the screaming, the blaming, and the kick in the face. In this relationship, she doesn’t miss you per say, she just misses the misery. “Freak Like Me” is another example of the sexy, sassy side that Lzzy has to her. Oh, but wait, the album then suddenly shows the softer side with the song “Beautiful With You” which has the possibility of being a big hit for the band. Lyrically, it’s one of the strongest songs whose content will have mass appeal. Everyone‘s had someone in their life that no matter how dark things get, they are always beautiful to that person.

The next two tracks continue the softer, vulnerable side that Lzzy and the guys are not afraid to show the world. No matter how old we get, we all have a room that we can escape to in which we feel safe from everything and everyone. On “In Your Room”, Lzzy sings of wanting that other person to open up and let her in their room. It’s not about being intrusive, it’s more about feeling comfortable around that other person and totally being yourself. Again, it’s a song whose lyrics have a universal appeal to them.

“Break In” is, in my opinion, one of the most amazing and powerful songs that the band has recorded. In a prime example of “sometimes less is more”, this is simply a piano and Lzzy, with a light string section midway through. Powerful, emotional and very moving, this song will definitely tug on quite a few heartstrings. Lzzy may have sang of the “misery” in an earlier song, this time she sings of that one special person who is able to “break in” the walls that people build to keep from being hurt.

“Rock Show”, which was on the Mz. Hyde EP, definitely shows that Lzzy and the guys still know exactly what it feels like to be a fan of a band. This seems to be one written for the fans and should translate really well in their live show. “You Call Me Bitch Like It’s A Bad Thing” is another sassy, tongue in cheek number. “Here’s To Us”, also from the EP, closes out the album and was recently featured on the television show Glee. Now, that version was a sanitized version, but I think it lacks quite a bit of punch without the colorful “adult” words.

I would highly recommend getting the deluxe version of this album. That version has three bonus tracks and includes a pretty amazing song entitled “Private Parts” which features James Michael of SIXX A.M. Another powerful and emotional composition and I am surprised it didn’t make the cut for the regular album.

The entire band has really raised the bar on this release. The rhythm section of Josh Smith on bass and Lzzy’s brother Arejay Hale on drums are tighter than ever playing with more passion than ever. Joe Hottinger has elevated his guitar game to a new level is playing more ferociously than ever. Did someone piss these guys off because they seem to be playing with a renewed purpose. Don’t get me wrong though; it freaking rocks and I love it! As far as Lzzy goes, she proves that she can sing the tender songs that will touch your heart and the grittier songs that will rip out your heart. We hear more of that grittier side on this album when she allows that alter ego to come out and play. She’s also pretty lethal on the guitar too!

Technically, this is Halestorm’s sophomore full length album and they do not fall victim to the dreaded “sophomore slump”. I thought the first album was really good, but this one is on a totally different level. They seem to have a good working relationship with producer Howard Benson, who produced their last album as well. I’m not sure if he pushed the band or if they pushed themselves, but they produced near perfect album this time around.

Halestorm Proves Overnight Sensations Can Take A Long Time

How many times have you heard the first single from a band and thought the band was an overnight sensation? Now, some bands do get lucky and break it big right out of the box. In the case of Pennsylvania’s Halestorm, this is the furthest thing from the truth. I was fortunate enough to see the band on their tour with Shinedown, Chevelle and Staind a while back and caught up with lead singer Lzzy Hale as the band was traveling on the road .

“Yeah, most people don’t realize how long we have been at this. We’ve been doing this for like 15 years now. I was 13 and my brother Arejay, who is our drummer, was 10 when we first started the band. We would play wherever they would let us,” said Lzzy.

Now, most girls that age are not thinking about being the next Lita Ford or Joan Jett. Most are having slumber parties and talking about boys. “You’re right, it was very hard finding young kids that shared our passion for music and succeeding at it. Most didn’t want a career in it or they lacked the drive or parental support that is needed,” replied Lzzy.

The band’s leadoff single from their debut self titled CD is entitled “I Get Off” and about the time I saw the band back in July, it had just begun to blowup. “Oh my god, it has just been amazing. We have the opening slot on the tour and a lot of people have not gotten to the arenas when we are playing our set. I have noticed though, that the crowds are getting a little bigger for our set. I can look out and see people with our t shirts on and they are singing our songs word for word. It’s a very humbling experience,” stated Lzzy.

“I also like the different reactions that “I Get Off” is having with guys and girls. It’s funny because the guys see it as a very sexy and naughty song. On the other hand, girls see it as a very powerful song for them. It’s like they are saying ‘I’m in control here and I am calling the shots”, so it’s pretty funny. I guess it’s great that a song can have different interpretations like that,” stated Lzzy.

So, who does Lzzy draw her influences from? “Well, it’s very flattering to me because I have been compared to some of the greats. I mean Joan Jett, Heart, Janis Joplin, it’s amazing. I have to say that some of the girls from my generation, no offense to any of them, but they just didn’t do it for me. They didn’t have enough power for me. In this gendra today, it shouldn’t be seen as a gimmick when a woman is in front of a band. It’s not a rock band fronted by a girl, it’s a girl fronting a rock band,” said Lzzy.
The band’s CD has a definite old school 80s metal feel to it. The catchy hooks on songs like “What Were You Thinking” and “Dirty Work” show elements of that. There’s even the 80s staple power ballads in songs such as “Bet You Wish U Had Me Back” and “Familiar Taste Of Poison”, on which the aqua net just radiates from your speakers!

The second single, as of the conducting of this interview, had yet to be determined. The CD is very deep in material and probably could go at least 4 singles deep if not further. That kind of feat is almost unheard of given the state of the music industry today. Just recently, the second single and video were chosen for the song “Love/Hate Heartbreak”.

So, does Lzzy have any guilty pleasures that may surprise her fans? “I actually am a pretty good seamstress. I like to make out stage outfits. I take different articles of clothing and try to see how many different outfits that I can make it into. So, yeah, I spend my free time sewing,” said Lzzy. My last question was my question for all bands/artists that I interview. If you were trapped on a desert island with only one store bought CD, what would you want there with you? “It would definitely have to be some Black Sabbath. I seem to be going through this re-appreciation of their music. It’s some powerful stuff,” stated Lzzy.

Check out their debut self titled CD and you will not be disappointed. It is a little retro 80s but still modern sounding. I told Lzzy in our interview that she had a great mix of sexuality and innocence. She can look at you and make you think she wants to jump your bones and then give you a look like she is going to rip your throat out. She is a multitalented front person and she and the boys are serious about their rock. They are still burning up the road and show no signs of letting up. Brave the storm and see what all the fuss is all about. You will not be disappointed!!!