Evanescence Bring Prog Metal Rapture on New LP [ALBUM REVIEW]
Review by Anne Erickson
Evanescence’s new album is packed with songs so personal, they bleed
It seems like a small miracle that Evanescence got back together for a third album at all, given that frontwoman Amy Lee spent years away from the stage and, at one point, strongly considered going solo. But earlier this year, Lee gathered up a crew of hard rock players to unite over what would be the band’s first-ever collaborative effort. Not Lee adding vocals to an already finished set of songs, but a full band, living and laboring to create songs of true pop-metal rapture.
The result, the band’s self-titled album (out Oct. 11 on Wind-up Records), is a smoothly-flowing set of epic, goth rock that constitutes the entire release, from the ominous affirmation of a “The Change” to the bouncy, spunky riffs of “Erase This” to the delicate, sparse “End of a Dream,” the latter a “goodbye” of sorts, closing out the album. Lee is rock’s leading woman of the new epoch, and she doesn’t hesitate to take that title to a new level with powerful, unnerving vocals and lyrics so personal, they make the heart bleed. Musically, fans of progressive metal, with all of its dramatic mood and theatrical layering, will find lots to enjoy.
As for the songs, one stand-out is, “Sick,” which features a triadic, snake-like bass riff in the opening and a fist-pumping chorus later, with Lee’s cathartic vocals, crying, “Sick of it all, Sick of it all / We will not follow / Sick of it all, Sick of it all / They don’t understand how… ”
“Made of Stone,” another high point on the album, brings hammering riffs and eerie keyboards from the onset, before it hushes to make way for Lee’s breathy, sensual plea: “Speak your mind, like I care / I can see your lips moving, I’ve just learned not to hear… ” Of course, the album’s raring first single, “What You Want”, brings catchy, dance-y hard rock with a blast of anguish pop.
While the set doesn’t stray far from the moody, sweeping songs on 2006’s The Open Door and perhaps doesn’t come off quite as polished as 2003’s Fallen, sonically, it captures the Evanescence narrative perfectly. The album’s goth voice shines through, begetting inspired and chilling melodies from a cast of band members who are obviously is excited to make music as a collective whole.
Ink Rating: 4 out of 5 Guitar Gauges
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04 Oct 2011, 8:01 pm
I’ve listened to the songs.
I think this album is their best yet. Fallen was created to be so commercial, and The Open Door was all about Amy Lee. I think their 3rd album is great. I’m gonna buy the deluxe version once it’s released :D
05 Oct 2011, 12:07 pm
evanescence is everything to me
17 Oct 2011, 2:15 pm
amy *-*
17 Oct 2011, 2:39 pm
En verdad este disco es mucho mejor a los anteriores. en este disco suena realmente evanescence, y creo que despues de todo no perdieron su “evanescencia” muchos han criticado el disco, pero escuchenlo completo y le hagarraran el gusto, para mi esta bieeeeen chingon… Recomiendo en espercial “Oceans” y “The change”. El disco esta fabuloso…. Claro no se compara con los demas discos creo que cada uno tiene su escencia y es genial ver como tu banda favorita evoluciona!!!!
18 Oct 2011, 3:39 am
You r one of the best bands I have come across so. I remain ur ardent fan n will always be. Keep rocking Lee, Luv ya guys!!! :)
18 Oct 2011, 8:06 am
bring me to life