Halestorm's Lzzy Hale Discusses Christian Rock Past

Lzzy Hale, the dynamic frontwoman of the rock band Halestorm, recently shared insights into the group's early days, when their music was sometimes described as "Christian rock." She explained how the band, formed in the late 1990s, eventually moved away from that label despite a religious upbringing.

Hale recalled attending Presbyterian church as a child, with parents who emphasized good morals. This continued until Halestorm began, when she says the band "lost our taste in religion," though not their sense of spirituality. While attending a Christian school, Hale faced criticism for writing songs that didn't mention religious figures enough. She observed what she felt was hypocrisy among some adults, which prompted her to question the strict definitions of religion.

This led Halestorm to step away from the Christian music community. Although it meant losing some friends, Hale emphasized that the power of music became even more important to them. She found that pursuing their musical passion brought her closer to a spiritual understanding than traditional church services did.

Even today, the "Christian rock" label occasionally resurfaces. Hale recounted a friend whose smart speaker played Halestorm's Freak Like Me when asked for Christian music. Hale isn't ashamed of her background, embracing both her religious upbringing and her current spiritual path in the secular world. She values the positive lessons from her youth, like loving one another, but cautions against how human actions can sometimes twist faith into something driven by greed.

Halestorm, featuring Lzzy and her brother Arejay Hale, along with Joe Hottinger and Josh Smith, continues to achieve significant success. The band released their sixth album, Everest, last year and has earned multiple awards, including a Grammy for "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance." They are celebrated for their powerful live shows and have toured with rock legends worldwide.