Halestorm was established in Red Lion, Pennsylvania in 1997 by lead vocalist Lzzy Hale and her younger brother, drummer Arejay Hale. Current additions to the band include; guitarist Joe Hottinger and bassist Josh Smith.
Before their rise to fame, Halestorm was a family band, with the siblings playing together in bars and other open spots and their parents also playing a role in the band. The teen siblings released their debut EP “Don’t Mess with the Time Man” in 1999 and in no time their songs were already being played on local radio stations.
The Grammy award-winning band released their debut album “Halestorm” in 2009 through Atlantic Records. Their hit song “Love Bites (So I Do)” from their second album “The Strange Case of…” won a Grammy award in 2013.
Halestorm is notable for its non-stop touring and has been reported to perform in as many as 250 shows annually. The band has existed for over two decades and it’s well-appreciated by fans. Listeners have always raised debates about the band being a Christian band because of some themes they employ in their songs. To provide answers to the question of Halestorm being a Christian band, this article will examine factors like song lyrics, music styles, concepts, and comments from members of the band on this issue.
Is Halestorm a Religious Band?
A religious band is a music band whose songs are influenced by the beliefs of a particular religion. A religious band composes songs for religious purposes or through religious influences.
Some songs by Halestorm employ religious elements which have made listeners assume the band is religious. Some or all members of the band have different religious backgrounds. Lzzy and her brother Arejay Hale had revealed that they come from religious backgrounds, but other members of the band have not exclusively spoken about their religious stance.
It is believed that Lzzy and Arejay started Halestorm as a Christian band before it became the rock band we know today. Before 2001, different media organizations in the band’s hometown described them as religious bands. However, the notion was changed later in their career.
In a 2018 interview with Blabbermouth, Lzzy revealed that they now try to avoid religion and politics in their songs because of how people misinterpret them. In her words:
“We even said that early on, because there have been some people that have picked certain things out from our record that we weren’t necessarily consciously trying to do. We kind of stay away from politics and religion; with those two things, you can’t win”
Lzzy further stated that it is really difficult to prevent religious themes from blending into music because it is just there.
According to her “But it is really hard not to let that stuff soak in, because it’s just there — always, especially nowadays. Whereas before, you could kind of ignore it. everybody’s into it, and it affects so many different people, and it affects friendships. So, for us, our main goal is, like, ‘All right, we can’t necessarily escape it, but since we’re in a position where people are going to listen to what we’re doing, let’s make sure we put out some empowerment, we put some positivity out there because there’s too much crap going on right now.’ So that was kind of our m.o. But, yeah, it’s tough.”
The statement above explains why most songs from the band are not without religious influences.
In “The Steeple” the band uses religious imagery to share a personal experience. The songwriter shares the journey of recovering from depression using religious metaphors. Below are the lyrics:
“It stopped raining in my head today
I finally feel like myself again
Redemption’s here at last
Back where it all began
In the place where God and the Devil shake hands
This is my kingdom
This is my cathedral
This is my castle
And these are my people
This is my armor
This is my anchor
It’s been a long road outta Hell up to the steeple
For this is a church and these are my people
A choir’s singing in my heart today (oh-oh-oh-oh)
Like a thousand angels breaking the silent parade
To the ones I call my own
I’m back where I belong
In the place where God and the Devil call home”
In “Redemption” by Halestorm, the songwriter mentions that she has her own beliefs which means that she doesn’t adhere to the tenets or beliefs of an organized religious group. The song has a religious undertone. Below are the lyrics:
“Scrapes on my hands
Blood on my knees
Pick me up
My own beliefs
I carry my sins
No need to confess
Won’t scream out for mercy
When it puts me through hell
Don’t need saving to save me
Don’t need forgiveness to bless my guilt
Lost my faith and found belief
In my redemption
I’m my redemption“
What Kind of Music Band is Halestorm?
Halestorm is an American Rock band. Rock music is a popular and broad music genre with subgenres like; hard rock, heavy metal, alternative metal, post-grunge, and alternative rock.
Rock music possesses influences of blues, electric blues, folk genres, and jazz and classical music styles. Songs by Halestorm are characterized by distorted electric guitars, a mixture of aggressive vocals and accessible melodic vocals, emphatic beats, extended guitar solos, less intense and abrasive tones, and mid-paced guitar riffs. The band’s songs are a blend of all the elements listed above.
The band employs a wide range of themes to share real-life experiences with listeners. Some of such themes include; survival, rediscovery, survival, faith, navigating mental health issues, religion, love and relationships, pain, and anxiety amongst others.
The one-time Grammy award-winning band has 5 studio albums, several EPs, and Singles. Their single “Love Bite (So I Do)” won the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance in 2013. Other singles and albums by the band have topped the US billboard charts and other music charts.
The band 5th and most recent album “Back from the Dead” released in 2022 was influenced by vocalist Lizzy’s life experiences during the pandemic. The feeling of being disconnected from people and how she was able to carve herself out from mental health issues she faced.
Is Halestorm a Christian Band?
Christianity is a religion based on the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus Christ, the founder of the religion. Christians believe in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit who are the pillars of Christianity. They also believe in the scriptures and other structures of Christianity.
Christian bands produce songs that reflect the beliefs and practices of Christianity. Its members are usually Christians who have openly affirmed their faith in the religion and the band must have publicly labeled itself a Christian band. This Christianity should be reflected in their songs, lifestyles, and concepts.
Songs by a Christian band are intended to share the gospel and messages of hope, salvation, peace, love, and redemption with listeners. Many Christian bands have been able to achieve this using different genres and styles like; blues, rap, rock, folk, hardcore, and metalcore amongst others.
Some members of Halestorm have revealed that they have Christian backgrounds. In a review of the band by Songfacts, it was revealed that Lzzy and her brother Arejay had a Christian upbringing. In an interview with Creeper magazine, Lzzy also stated this. In her words : “We have a Christian background, and we are Christians. But I also write about other stuff going on with teenagers and just what’s in my heart at the time.”
Earlier in their career, around 1998, Patriot-News reported that Halestorm is a family-based Christian rock group driven by faith in God. Apart from Lzzy and her brother, other members of the band have not been very open about their religious beliefs.
As the main songwriter of the group, Lzzy’s religious background usually influences the band’s songs. This explains why most songs contain Christian imagery and have a religious undertone.
Collectively, the band has not identified itself as a Christian band and has already mentioned that its songs are intended to address various moods and life experiences. However, we won’t ignore the fact that elements of Christianity usually find their way into songs by the band. An example is the song titled ” Amen” by Halestorm. Below are some lines from the song:
“Someone’s gotta hate
It’s never gonna change
Gets harder every day
It’s a hell of a place
To keep your heart from freezing
To keep yourself believing
But I won’t run
I’m not afraid
I’ll look them in the eye
Gonna hear me say
It’s My life, My love, My sex, My drug, My lust
My God, it ain’t no sin
Can I get it
Can I get an Amen
My grace, My church, My pain, My tears, My hurt
My God, I’ll say it again
Can I get it
Can I get an Amen”
Halestorm Christian Music
Undeniably, Halestorm has produced a lot of songs with Christian terms and messages. However, most of the songs cannot be categorized as Christian songs because they do not meet the requirements to be listed as such. Most of the songs are anti-religious but the songwriter creatively employs Christian imagery to pen down provocative lyrics that appeal to diverse audiences.
Is Halestorm a Satanic Band?
No, Halestorm is not a Satanic band. A Satanic band can be defined by its songs, lifestyle, and practices. Songs by a Satanic band promote satanic beliefs and glorify the devil. Halestorm has not publicly associated with Satanic practices, so we don’t label the band a satanic band.
Conclusion
In the early days of their career, Halestorm was regarded as a Christian rock band. This later changed as the band now explores different themes and concepts and does not want to be tagged a “Christian” band.
Notwithstanding, Halestorm has made a good name for itself in the American music scene. The band has produced a great body of work that resonates with diverse audiences, is relatable to them, and gives hope to people going through different life challenges.
Think we were wrong? Write your reasoning in the comments and prove us wrong!