In the lead-up to one of the most thunderous nights of 2025, Halestorm gave back to their loyal fanbase with a live Q&A session and exclusive meet and greet at Gibson Garage, London. A lucky few got the chance to connect with the band on a personal level with an electrifying prelude to their epic performance supporting Iron Maiden at the London Stadium.
Watching Halestorm speak with fans did not just feel generous, it felt like a band laying bare their roots, something I have come to appreciate more deeply as a writer, being drawn to stories of endurance and connection.
As meet-and-greets go, this was ‘Maiden Heaven.’ On the eve of their support slot, the band sat down with journalist Sam Coare to field questions about their forthcoming album, Everest, due out on 8 August 2025. Fans were treated to sneak peeks into the themes behind the record with a storm of resilience, unity, and unapologetic vulnerability.
The energy in the room was palpable, but what struck most was the band’s unshakable bond. Halestorm’s lineup hasn’t changed in over two decades, and that longevity is not just professional. It is deeply personal.
“We’ve been the same four members for 22 years,” Lzzy Hale said. “The whole world could burn, but as long as we’re all okay, it’s okay.”
From fighting like family to rallying together against the world, the band’s dynamic only reinforces their family vibe. “We might fight with each other some days,” Lzzy said, “and others it’s us against the world.”
This is a sentiment that threads through Everest, a record that promises lyrical peaks and sonic detours reflective of their journey so far.
Everest is on the horizon, the record is full of raw energy, legacy, and the thrill of possibility. The band have a stadium crowd still roaring in their ears. Halestorm continue to prove that longevity is not just measured in years, it is built in the fires you survive together.
The band admit to being overthinkers, recording in a house-turned-studio ignited Halestorm’s dream of building their own home studio. Giving them freedom to experiment, from bluesy grooves to caffeine-fueled frenzies, it defined the spirit of this record. Some songs even started as poems, a full-circle nod to Lzzy’s teenage writing roots.
The new album captures Halestorm’s evolution without sacrificing the grit. “We’ve never known what we’re doing,” Josh jokes, yet their sound feels more assured than ever. Playing fresh tracks live instantly clicked, and Joe reflects, “Usually it takes time, but this record is already where we wanted it to be.”
Lzzy spoke about being a “reformed introvert.” When the band first started, Lzzy could not even look at the crowd. She covered their fond basement beginnings, sharing her journey from introversion to fierce frontwoman.
“The guys have always pulled me back up,” Lzzy said, “with dumb jokes and love.” This record rejuvenated the band, making them feel like the same kids from their parents’ Pennsylvania basement, only sharper, louder, and more unapologetic.
The instruments speak for themselves, but also inspire. A piano with a pulse gives a surprise texture running through the record. An antique Japanese upright piano brings eerie echoes that haunt the album’s backbone. Of course, there is the Gibson connection where craft meets iconography.
Lzzy and Joe speak passionately about their relationship with Gibson and Kramer. “It’s the blueprint for rock ‘n’ roll,” Lzzy insists. “It is a proven weapon in your arsenal. You play differently and exude the same feeling you get when you watch your idols play.”
Joe adds, “You’re tapping into the history, idols like Jimmy Page and Pete Townshend.” The partnership led to the Lzzy Hale Explorer Dark, a limited-edition signature model.
Lzzy followed on with an anecdote of cherished fan letters, especially from young girls who draw her iconic guitar or say they started playing because of her. “It’s my responsibility to pass that torch on,” she said.
The DIY Manifesto of the album shows Everest is not just an album, it’s a statement. Halestorm approached the studio like they were on stage, chaos and all.
“We tried to capture that same energy and intensity,” Arejay said. When asked which songs they’re most excited to play live, Lzzy beams, “All of it.”
Sam mentioned that many believe songs do not come to life until they are played live, and wondered if the band felt that with Everest. “We’ve already started playing them live and it has felt natural,” Joe says.
And what does the record say about Halestorm in 2025? “It’s the beginning of a new chapter. There’s more content, and we are ready to take risks, anything’s possible!”
Halestorm is a band on fire, our host pointed out. With 73 shows packed into the final 156 days of 2025, Halestorm are doing anything but slowing down. As they reflect on the chaos and catharsis of creation, their ethos is clear. “Every decision is like life or death.”
There was time for a brief mention of Halestorm’s appearance at the Black Sabbath Back To The Beginning event. The show, being more than a gig, was a generational handshake. Lzzy grins, “Where do you think the spelling comes from? Lzzy! Ozzy! There’s no Lzzy without Ozzy.”
We were told to expect a 15-minute set of raw power and maybe even a surprise cover.
There is something quietly powerful about watching a band share space with their fans, not just to promote an album, but to reaffirm the kind of kinship that fuels longevity.
For me, witnessing Halestorm’s unfiltered honesty in that Q&A echoed the themes I am drawn to as a music writer: resilience, representation, and the emotional weight of legacy.
Everest is not just a title. It is a metaphor for the climb, the bruises, the stubborn refusal to stay in base camp. It is a record that embraces uncertainty, rage, and love lost, all while daring to ask the questions that do not have easy answers.
In those moments, it did not feel like press, it felt like people choosing each other again and again, onstage and off. That is the summit Halestorm are reaching for, and it’s one I think a lot of us are still climbing.
In a world where lineups rotate and connections fray, Halestorm remain proof that creative fire burns brightest when forged in unwavering trust.
Not just their next chapter, Everest is a testament to endurance, evolution, and the kind of musical kinship that turns a band into a legacy.
For fans old and new, 8 August will not just mark an album release. It will be a summit reached together.
Halestorm were at Gibson Garage for an exclusive fan event. Their new album, Everest, is out on 8 August 2025 via Atlantic Records. Pre-orders and pre-saves are available from Halestorm.lnk.to/Everest.
Halestorm play five UK Arena shows this November. Tickets are available from HalestormRocks.com. Special guests in the UK are Bloodywood plus Kelsey Karter & The Heroines.
