Lzzy Hale of Halestorm: The Unique Qualities of Women who Grew Up

As the metal community anticipates the historic final show of BLACK SABBATH on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, HALESTORM’s lead singer Lzzy Hale is getting ready for a significant and emotionally charged moment. In a recent conversation with Metal Hammer, Lzzy delved into how the influence of SABBATH has been a constant presence in her life and how her upbringing as a female metal enthusiast has shaped her uniquely, setting her apart from her male counterparts.

Lzzy reflects on the distinct experience of being a woman who was raised on BLACK SABBATH compared to men. She notes that during her youth, being a heavy metal fan was more socially accepted for boys than for girls. Embracing SABBATH as a teenager was not just about discovering new music for Lzzy; it was a way of asserting her identity. While her peers were immersed in mainstream pop sounds, she found solace in the dark and heavy realm of Tony Iommi’s riffs and Ozzy Osbourne’s haunting vocals. This deviation from the norm did not go unnoticed, and it was not without its challenges.

“I would be trying to convince my friends, who are all listening to Mariah Carey and BACKSTREET BOYS, to listen to BLACK SABBATH,” she recalls. “And they’re like, ‘No, that’s my dad’s music!’ and all of this. So I would tell my dad, and he’s like, ‘Oh, that’s fantastic!’ And I’m like, ‘Why, dad? No one’s ever gonna like me! I don’t have any friends because they don’t like my music.’ He’s like, ‘No, you love BLACK SABBATH just because you love BLACK SABBATH, not because it’s popular on the radio right now, not because your friends are listening to it, because it’s a part of you. That’s an incredible thing.'”

Now an established figure in the music industry, Lzzy finds herself as the lone woman on the roster for BLACK SABBATH’s final performance, alongside heavyweights like METALLICA, PANTERA, GUNS N’ ROSES, TOOL, SLAYER, and GOJIRA. For her, it is more than just another show; it is a homage to the band that ignited her passion for music.

“I wouldn’t be the singer I am today, I wouldn’t be the guitar player I am today, I wouldn’t be the rocker I am today without these men,” she reverently states. “I just can’t wait to celebrate them, honour them, and wish them farewell.”

Reeder, the founder of Metal Addicts, has channeled his lifelong metal enthusiasm into a thriving online community that caters to fellow metal aficionados. His deep appreciation for black metal, with its enigmatic, atmospheric, and unconventional soundscapes, is evident in the platform he has cultivated.

In conclusion, the upcoming final show of BLACK SABBATH holds special significance for Lzzy Hale, a testament to the enduring impact of music on individuals and the transformative power of embracing one’s passions.