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Arts & Entertainment

A Halestorm Heads to Atlantic City

Heavy Rockers Halestorm Perform at Atlantic City House of Blues Friday and Saturday

Halestorm singer-guitarist Lzzy Hale does not take fools lightly. On the Pennsylvania heavy rock band’s 2009 self-titled debut album, the commanding vocalist made an immediate, venemous impression, warning potential suitors that if they dared surrender their heart to her, she would promptly rip it out and pound it into the pavement for good measure.

Hale continues her blistering lyrical and dynamic vocal attack on the band’s sophomore release, “The Strange Case Of …” Infectious, guitar-driven tracks such as hit single “Love Bites (So Do I), “Mz. Hyde” and “Freak Like Me” carry on the Halestorm tradition in grand fashion. But Hale also reveals something on the album that may come as an unexpected surprise to listeners: vulnerability.

The middle of the 12-track collection features three consecutive, moving songs about letting your guard down and falling in love: “Beautiful With You,” “In Your Room” and the piano ballad, “Break In.”

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“A lot of things happened to me this past year,” Hale said during a conference call promoting the Carnival of Madness Tour, which stops at the Atlantic City House of Blues on Friday and Saturday. “Not just as far as my personal journey but also, family and love life. I think I had a lot to say and luckily the guys in my band were like, ‘just go, just do whatever you want to do.’

“With that the flood gates opened and we ended up recording so many different songs on this record,” Hale continued. “I’m so proud of this record for its diversity.”

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Fan response to “The Strange Case Of …” has been strong. The album, which was released in April, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hard Rock Album Chart and No. 15 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart. The stirring, us-against-the-world anthem, “Here’s to Us,” was featured in an episode of the hit television show, “Glee.”

“I think it’s amazing the connection that we can have with people and the way that (the band’s music) touches people,” Hale said.

Halestorm also includes Hale’s brother Arejay on drums, guitarist Joe Hottinger and bassist Josh Smith. Lzzy and Josh Hale set out to form a band in 1997 at the tender ages of 13 and 10, respectivey. Hottinger joined Halestorm in 2003 and Smith followed in 2004.

Hottinger attributed the success of “The Strange Case Of …”  to the band’s work ethic and its confidence entering the recording studio.

“This time we knew exactly what we wanted on the record and what to expect (in the studio),” Hottinger said in a separate interview. “There’s also an energy that’s closer to what we do live. We busted our butts on this one.”

The interplay between Hottinger and Hale is a large part of Halestorm’s sound. The guitarists dovetail seamlessly in knocking out huge, headbanging riffs and more subtle parts that build up to crushing crescendos.

Hale said that the band is looking forward to the Carnival of Madness Tour, which also features Evanescence, Chevelle, Cavo and New Medicine.

“For me, touring is fun,” she said. “Every night is different, and we get to meet crazy people and hang out with them.”

Following Carnival of Madness, Halestorm will embark on a European tour before returning for another run of North American dates. “There is no end in sight, and it’s awesome,” Hale said. “I’m just excited to keep everything moving and see what happens next.”

www.halestormrocks.com

IF YOU GO: Carnival of Madness, featuring Halestorm, Evanescence, Chevelle, Cavo and New Medicine, 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Atlantic City House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk. Tickets are $49.50, $54.50 and $64.50. Call 609-236-2583 or visit www.houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/atlanticcity/

 

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