Halestorm + Evanescence Announce Fall 2021 Arena Tour!

 Evanescence and Halestorm are returning to the concert stage in the U.S. this fall. Produced by Live Nation, the tour will kick off Friday, November 5th, in Portland, OR, and take the bands to arenas across the country before wrapping up in the Northeast right before the holidays.

General on-sale begins Friday, May 14th at 10am local time at LiveNation.com. Limited VIP packages will be available for purchase that include premium seating, access to attend Evanescence's Soundcheck followed by a moderated Q&A with the band, exclusive merchandise items, and more. A May 12th presale exclusively open to top Spotify listeners of both Evanescence and Halestorm will precede the general on-sale.

The tour will bring together two of the top women in rock — Amy Lee and Lzzy Hale — for a truly badass experience night after night. Close friends as well as close collaborators, just last year, Lzzy performed back-up vocals on Evanescence's "Use My Voice," and Amy joined Lzzy on a new version of Halestorm's "Break In." In addition to new music and the biggest hits from both women, the shows will highlight their personal bond and the music that's come of it.

Amy Lee said, "Words can't express how excited we are to go back on tour with our friends and rock out again. We've been building this new music in isolation for over a year and dreaming of what it will be like to finally play it live, and to experience it together with our fans for the first time. We can't wait to see you there!"

Lzzy Hale said of the upcoming tour, "We have all been mourning the loss of live music, and patiently waiting, looking toward an uncertain future. Finally the future looks bright and I can't think of a better way to break the silence than with our dear friends in Evanescence. I can only imagine how it will feel to step on stage again night after night, and reconnect with all of the fans whom I've missed so much. Get ready for intense emotions, loud performances, and a newly exhilarated energy unlike any tour we've experienced in the past. Looking forward to seeing you all!"

This Thursday, May 13th, fans can get a sneak peek of Evanescence playing live during their "Driven to Perform" Cooper Tire livestream concert, which features songs from their recently released Top Rock Album, The Bitter Truth, along with older favorites. Register for the free livestream concert here. And watch Evanescence perform their new single "Better Without You" on The Kelly Clarkson Show today on NBC (check local listings). 

The Bitter Truth debuted in March as the #1 Current Rock and Alternative album in the U.S., and the band will bring audiences a high-octane rock energy to match the album, which The LA Times hailed as their "fiercest songs to date." Consequence of Sound said of The Bitter Truth, "Amy Lee and company triumphantly return … and it's certainly worth the wait," and the shows with Halestorm this winter will further prove it. 

Dates below with more to be announced soon. For the latest ticket and VIP information, please visit here. 

Grammy-winning Halestorm are currently in Rock Falcon Studios, working diligently on their upcoming fifth album (and follow up to 2018's Vicious) with Nick Raskulinecz. The band recently released their rendition of The Who's "Long Live Rock" in conjunction with the documentary of the same name. Hale just completed filming of the inaugural season of Hit Parader's new music competition show NO COVER, appearing as a celebrity judge alongside Alice Cooper, Bishop Briggs, Gavin Rossdale, and Tosin Abasi. She also hosts A Year in Music for AXS TV; Season 4 premiered last week. The vocalist also appeared on the theme song for the Netflix film Thunder Force along with Corey Taylor, Scott Ian, and more. Recent Halestorm press highlights include Forbes, Psychology Today, Refinery 29, Alternative Press, Good Day New York, KTLA, and more. For additional news, tickets, and VIP package information, visit here.

EVANESCENCE + HALESTORM TOUR DATES:
Fri, Nov 5 - Portland, OR - Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Sun, Nov 7 - Seattle, WA - Climate Pledge Arena
Tues, Nov 9 - San Jose, CA - SAP Center at San Jose
Fri, Nov 12 - Las Vegas, NV - The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas - The Chelsea
Sat, Nov 13 - San Diego, CA - San Diego State University - Viejas Arena
Mon, Nov 15 - Phoenix, AZ - Arizona Federal Theatre
Sat, Nov 20 - Fort Worth, TX - Dickies Arena
Thu, Dec 2 - Duluth, GA - Infinite Energy Arena
Sun, Dec 5 - Saint Louis, MO - Saint Louis University - Chaifetz Arena
Sat, Dec 11 - Detroit, MI - Little Caesars Arena
Sun, Dec 12 - Cincinnati, OH - Heritage Bank Center
Tue, Dec 14 - Pittsburgh, PA - University of Pittsburgh - Petersen Events Center
Wed, Dec 15 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center
Fri, Dec 17 - Camden, NJ - BB&T Pavilion
Sat, Dec 18 - Worcester, MA - DCU Center

Evanescence Photo Credit: Nick Fancher

ABOUT EVANESCENCE:

Two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning Evanescence has made an impact on people around the world. The group's 2003 landmark debut album Fallen laid the foundation spending 43 weeks on the Billboard Top 10 and selling more than 17 million copies worldwide. Debut single and global hit "Bring Me to Life" reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and marked their first U.K. #1 hit single. The equally popular "My Immortal" peaked at #7 in the U.S. and U.K. Following multiple worldwide tours, The Open Door came next, which went on to sell more than five million copies followed by the self-titled Evanescence, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Charts. Evanescence lead singer-songwriter and pianist Amy Lee, bassist Tim McCord, drummer Will Hunt, lead guitarist Troy McLawhorn, and guitarist and backing vocalist Jen Majura went down both very new and familiar paths for their fourth and most ambitious release to date, Synthesis, in 2017 via BMG. The symphonic effort scored four Billboard #1s, debuting atop the Independent, Alternative, Rock, and Classical Album Charts. Evanescence launched their worldwide "Synthesis Live" tour in October 2017 combining their intense live performances and timeless songwriting with a powerful live orchestra. The Bitter Truth, out now on BMG, is Evanescence's fourth studio album.

Halestorm Photo Credit: Jimmy Fontaine/Atlantic

ABOUT HALESTORM:
Halestorm is comprised of Lzzy Hale [vocals + guitar], Arejay Hale [drums], Joe Hottinger [guitar], and Josh Smith [bass]. Together they have toured extensively clocking a staggering 2,500 live performances to date with a diverse variety of artists including: Eric Church, Joan Jett, Avenged Sevenfold, Alice Cooper, ZZ Top and Evanescence. Most recently, the band scored a 2019 Grammy nomination for "Best Rock Performance" for their song  "Uncomfortable," marking their second nomination after their 2013 win for "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance." Loudwire named Lzzy their "2018 Rock Artist of the Year," and two years prior, she was named the "Dimebag Darrell Shredder of the Year" at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards. Both Halestorm and their 2012 LP The Strange Case of… were certified Gold, further evidencing Halestorm's massively supportive fanbase. Halestorm have also made history with "Love Bites (So Do I)," the hit single from The Strange Case of… which ascended to No. 1 at Active Rock radio in the U.S., making Halestorm the first-ever group with a female vocalist to earn the top spot on the format. The band's latest album Vicious is out now.

ABOUT LIVE NATION ENTERTAINMENT:
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world's leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

HALESTORM ONLINE:

Read More

Lindsay Schoolcraft- Worlds Away (Album Review)

Musician: Lindsay Schoolcraft
Album Title: Worlds Away
Genre/ Subgenre: Goth, Classical, Ethereal 
Label: Cyber Proxy Records
Release Date: October 9, 2020 

Last year, Lindsay Schoolcraft, who among her many past gigs included being the keyboardist for Cradle of Filth, made her solo debut with the awesome Martyrs. This year, with COVID-19 resulting in quarantine, Schoolcraft worked on Worlds Away giving us a powerful album and beautifully haunting record. Returning to work with her is former and the first Evanescence drummer Rocky Gray (who also co-wrote Martyrs with her), as he adds some electronic beats on a couple of songs. 

The result is one of the most emotionally captivating records of the year, one that also happens to get better with each and every listening. In these difficult times, I have found peace and beauty in it. There is this welcoming embrace to it, that invites the listener and heals the soul. I connected to it on an spiritual level that is hard to achieve or even truly explain. This is the perfect record to relax to, as it calms the inner and deepest part of one. 

Most of the songs presented here are reworkings of her earlier tracks. Only two (the title track and "Dance On The Strings") are new. Regardless all of the songs are ethereally haunting works of music. That aforementioned title has a gorgeous and stunning string intro to it. It is complimented by Schoolcraft's beautiful and soothing voice. "Saviour", one of my absolute favorite off of Martyrs, is given a new life here. The intro to this one is haunting and, yet, with her gorgeous vocals there this new tragic and pained feel to it. It makes the song that much more powerful and effective. "Fading Star" is another stunner of a track. Her voice sounds amazing and works so wonderfully against here string work giving it an otherworldly and sorrowful feel. I would call it my favorite but, the truth is each listening gives me a new song that I connect more and more to. 

Lindsay Schoolcraft's Worlds Apart is one of the year's most beautiful, stunning, and powerful surprises. It touched the inner me in a way I wasn't expecting. In these trying times, it is an album that will soothe and calm the heart and the soul. Mixing elements of Evanescence, Within Temptation, and Sarah Brightman, it provides the perfect answer to those of who have a taste for the beautiful, tragic, and gothic. With Schoolcraft's gorgeous vocals and string arrangements, I have a found a release that has hit me in away like nothing else in 2020. And, without a doubt it cements her as one of the artists whose new work I will most anxiously await.

 4.5 out of 5

Read More

Halestorm Share Official Video For "Break In" Featuring Amy Lee

HALESTORM SHARE OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR "BREAK IN" FEATURING AMY LEE — WATCH

STUDIO PERFORMANCE OF RECONCEPTUALIZED TRACK STREAMING NOW
 
REIMAGINED EP DUE OUT AUGUST 14

Grammy Award-winning rock band Halestorm have shared the official music video for "Break In" featuring Amy Lee, which appears on their forthcoming Reimagined EP, due out August 14. 

 The clip, which captures Halestorm vocalist Lzzy Hale and Lee delivering an impassioned studio performance of the track, is available on Halestorm's YouTube channel. Watch it here.

Pre-orders for Reimagined, where Halestorm re-envisioned and reconstructed various fan favorites from their multiplatinum catalog, are live here.
 
The first single "Break In" finds the band re-working the track which originally appeared on their gold-selling 2012 album, The Strange Case Of…  Over stark and shuddering piano, Hale's and Lee's voices reach soaring heights on this poignant ballad, uniting two of rock's most recognizable voices
 
 Hale detailed the emotional performance explaining, "One of the stand out moments on this EP is a duet of our song 'Break In' featuring the amazingly incomparable Amy Lee. Produced by Nick Rasculinecz, we recorded this duet pre-COVID-19, together in the same room, live, as a full performance from beginning to end. Amy brought new meaning to this song, turning what was once just a love song into a statement of unity and support for each other."
 
In addition to "Break In," Halestorm have reinvented their 2009 single "I Get Off" and their incendiary track "I Am The Fire." They also cut an official cover of the Whitney Houston favorite "I Will Always Love You," another long-requested live gem. 

REIMAGINED EP TRACK LISTING:
"I Get Off"
"I Miss The Misery"
"I Am The Fire" 
"Break In" (Feat. Amy Lee) 
"I Will Always Love You"
"Mz. Hyde"

Halestorm also recently launched the #ROADIESTRONG support campaign aimed at providing essential financial assistance to road crews all over the world who make live music possible. Fans can purchase #ROADIESTRONG merchandise and make donations, with all proceeds going to Live Nation’s Crew Nation — a global relief fund for live music crews.

ABOUT HALESTORM:
Halestorm are comprised of Lzzy Hale [vocals + guitar], Arejay Hale [drums], Joe Hottinger [guitar], and Josh Smith [bass]. Together, they have toured extensively clocking a staggering 2,500 live performances to date with a diverse variety of artists including: Eric Church, Joan Jett, Avenged Sevenfold, Alice Cooper, ZZ Top and Evanescence. Most recently, the band scored a 2019 Grammy nomination for "Best Rock Performance" for the song  "Uncomfortable," featured on their 2018 LP Vicious. The nomination followed Halestorm''s 2013 Grammy win for "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" for their hit single "Love Bites (So Do I)," which ascended to No. 1 at Active Rock radio in the U.S., making Halestorm the first-ever group with a female vocalist to earn the top spot on the format. Named Loudwire's "Rock Artist of the Decade," Lzzy was also selected as their "2018 Rock Artist of the Year," and two years prior, was named the "Dimebag Darrell Shredder of the Year" at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards. Both Halestorm and their 2012 LP The Strange Case of… were certified Gold, further evidencing Halestorm's massively supportive fanbase. The band's latest album Vicious is out now.

HALESTORM ONLINE:

Read More

Lindsay Schoolcraft- Martyr (Album Review)

Musician: Lindsey Schoolcraft
Album Title: Martyr
Genre/ Subgenre: Gothic Hard Rock/ Metal
Label: Self Released
Release Date: October 7, 2019

Martyr is the solo debut album by Cradle of Filth keyboardist and vocalist Lindsey Schoolcraft. It is co-written by former Evanescence drummer Rocky Gray, and is. in fact, heavily influenced by bands like Evanescence and Lacuna Coil. The result is the goth hard rock album fellow fans of those bands have been missing in our lives.

The production by Tyler Williams is crisp and clear with a sound that engulfs the listener in the album's haunting beauty. Schoolcraft's signing is beautiful throughout the album. She has an ethereal and haunting quality that makes the music stunning throughout. She puts so much of her heart and soul that one cannot help but be fully captivated listening to her.

The album starts off awesomely with one its strongest tracks, and first single, in "Saviour". The piano intro recalls the aforementioned Evanescence as do the guitars which very much recall bands like that and Lacuna Coil. You will also find yourself signing along with it, especially the catchy chorus, one of my favorites of the year. The gorgeous and evocative "Stranger" will fill your soul with its enthralling power. Also, the production really shines, with the laying down of her beautiful vocals. "Blood from a Stone" recalls the most powerful and stunning ballads from Evanescence. But, never does this album feel like a rip-off, instead, she clearly lets us know who her heroes are. And, yet, at the same time, clearly makes the music all her own. Her signing here feels so pained and will touch the deepest part of you. "See the Light" has a great riff that really drives the song, and I simply love the way her vocals bring in a more melodic feeling mixing in with the rocking sound. The growling guest vocals by Xenoyr gives the song an extra aggressive feel, and is sort of a more straight forward Epica.

I am a long time of both this style of rock and metal and of Schoolcraft herself. She more than delivers the good in the beautiful and powerful Martyr. Just writing this review excites me, as I listen and think of all the great music contained within it. If you are a fan of hard rock like this, it is a simple must have, as well as being one of the most exciting self released albums of the year. Do yourself a favor and order it here.

4 out of 5

Read More