Lowery Responds to Criticism From Christians for Remaining in Sevendust
In response to criticism for not leaving Sevendust after coming to faith, Lowery said that he was encouraged by the story of Brian Welch from Korn.
“People may see me continuing with the band and say, ‘Oh, there’s hypocrisy in that,’” Lowery said. “I could stay home and stay in my community church and be around some stability and just write worship songs—which is something I absolutely want to do and I will do. But one thing is, I think there’s work to be done.”
“When Brian [Welch] went back to Korn, his template was one of those that I used,” Lowery said. Lowery said that he even spoke with Welch about it.
“And it was kind of the same way that I feel. It’s like there’s work to be done there. There’s opportunities there,” he said. “I’ve had prayers in front of my bus with people. I’ve had people that have [been] so happy that I’ve boldly come out with it instead of just like keeping it kind of ambiguous.” Lowery said he has “amazing conversations with people.”
Lowery explained that Sevendust isn’t a band that is giving off “some message that is anti-religion or anti-God or [anti-Christian].” Yes, Lowery admitted that some of the songs express “some old anger” but said he feels “there’s a spirit of love in the room—I feel it with the people.”
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“It is how I make my livelihood, but I do also see it as an opportunity,” Lowery continued. But he shared that “if I felt like, and if I continue to pray on it, and God does want me in a different place, then I will follow that.”
“Believe me, I pray about it every day, because I was really I was struggling with it. I was like, do I want to be around that environment all the time and am I just chasing the money and the brand that is Sevendust?” he added. That’s the question, Lowery said, “that I ask and I pray about all the time.”
“I see it as an opportunity and people are going to say what they want to say,” said Lowery. “My relationship with Christ is what holds me, and if I paid attention to everybody and what they feel about it, then that would be too much of a burden to bear and not worth it.”
Misconceptions of Sevendust Tour Life
Many probably speculate that tour life is decadent, but for Lowery, the after-show routine typically includes getting cleaned up, eating dinner, and reading or watching Netflix.
“It’s a job,” Lowery said. “It’s a wonderful job. We are blessed to play music and bring happiness, and make a living, and take care of our families.”
“It’s not what a lot of people think. It really isn’t,” Lowery explained. “I mean, back in the day, it was crazier, and we were knuckleheads,” which led to excessive drinking “and all the rock-and-roll things.” But he said, “There’s a tremendous emptiness that comes with that.”
He explained that musicians tend to keep that high they experience from playing a concert. “You play the show. You’re high; you’re like, ‘Oh, that was great!’ And then you’re like, ‘Let me continue some sort of high,’ and you’re chasing that.”
“If you had issues with it like I did,” he added, “and childhood traumas and all those things, then touring is a dangerous environment to be in—if you have any issues at all with alcohol or drugs or any void or you’re bankrupt spiritually.”
Lowery said that Sevendust plans to release a new album in 2026. “I’m excited to write it. It’s coming from a different angle this time for me for what I’m going to contribute,” Lowery said, adding that he hopes also to release a worship EP later this year.
“I just want to honor him,” said Lowery.
