Now I reckon that everyone has heard of Evanescence, either from hearing their 2 huge hits, “My Immortal” and “Bring Me to Life” off their debut studio album “Fallen” which has currently sold in the region of 14 million copies worldwide, or by watching the movie “Daredevil”.  

Since releasing “Fallen” there have been some major changes in the band.  In October 2003 Amy’s co-songwriter and ex boyfriend Ben Moody left the band being replaced almost immediately by Terry Balsamo, they changed managers (with a few law suits flying around for good measure), Terry Balsamo suffered a minor stroke in late 2005 and then to top it all, bassist Will Boyd quit the band in July 2006 because he didn’t want the pressure of another world tour and wanted to spend more time with his family. Phew, with all that going on it’s a wonder they have been able to release this album at all.  Evanescence is currently made up of Amy Lee on vocals, Terry Balsamo on guitar, John LeCompt on guitar and Rocky Gray on drums. 

“Fallen” was a massive release and turned “Evanescence” into a household name everywhere (even my dad knew who they were which I found embarrassing at times, can you imagine a 70 year old, cruising the streets of Doncaster in a Peugeot 106 diesel with Evanescence “pumpin out the sub woofers”!) so the release of “The Open Door” is one that is highly anticipated by a lot of people.   

Unfortunately, on first listen, I was a bit disappointed.  I had been looking forward almost to “Fallen Part 2” but that isn’t what is delivered here.  Sure, it is catchy, rocky, beaty, but it didn’t live up to the pre-conceived expectations that I had already formed.  The heavy Gothic overtones are very subdued, almost non-existent on this release, which on reflection should be expected when you consider the changes made in the writing partnership, but it was exactly those overtones that if feel gave Evanescence their life blood on their debut release.   

However, as I listen again, the album builds itself up and starts making a real mark on me.  OK, the Gothic overtones are gone but they have been replaced by a more eclectic ethereal mix of the bands Rock and Classical background.  This album sounds and feels like a more inspirational release with songs that cover all of the more profound aspects and emotions of life, such as longing, doubt, inner thought, self respect, empowerment, anticipation, pain, sadness, anger and happiness, and it would appear that Amy and Terry have forged a really effective and cohesive writing partnership together.  “Fallen” was a very diverse album with tracks going from one extreme to the other, well “The Open Door” is just as diverse, but is more grown up in the way it mixes these diversities together which is an obvious reflection of the inevitable personal and professional growth that has occurred within the band over the 3 years since their last release. 

When you mix together Amy’s hauntingly beautiful melodies, stunning vocals and emotional piano with Terry’s exigent but intricate guitar playing you have something of real beauty that cannot be ignored.  I am not going to go into a track by track breakdown of this album, that is something I don’t like doing, (as my army of fans already know), but I will say that this is an album that bristles with anger, taunts you with sorrow, builds you up to great expectations and finally closes leaving you with a feeling of happiness.  You can expect your senses to be stroked by pastoral almost choir-esque melodies, teased by stately and sometimes comely arrangements, then to be battered by some real heavyweight hard rock guitars.  This is a release that will forge a connection with listeners everywhere and will go a long way to increasing the bands already huge fan base. 

On first listen I was prepared to write this album off with a mere 4 or possibly 5 out of 10, but when I took the time to really sit, listen and understand, it started scoring more points.  This is an album that needs and deserves to be listened to over and over again, it is well worth it.

'The Open Door' is released through Columbia Records on October 2nd

Let us know your views on 'The Open Door''

Track List

Sweet Sacrifice
Call Me When You're Sober
Weight of the World
Lithium
Cloud Nine
Snow White Queen
Lacrymosa
Like You
Lose Control
The Only One
Your Star
All That I'm Living For
Good Enough

Line Up

Amy Lee - Vocals
Rocky Gray - Drums
John LeCompt - Guitar
Terry Balsamo - Guitar