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Evanescence – Magazine

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In a world of over-processed voices and vulgar lyrics, finding real music is almost ­impossible, especially metal. Everywhere you turn, you see media drones smiling from the covers of CDs. Evanescence is a gothic metal act that has managed to stay true to itself and gained huge popularity. With its soulful blend of electric guitar, rhythmic piano, and mournful lyrics, it's easy to see why it's one of the best acts out there.

Amy Lee, the lead singer and songwriter, adds strong yet smooth vocals for a flawless finish. Though Evanescence is a relatively new band, they've gained a loyal following.

“Fallen” is by far the best and won them two Grammys for “Best New Artist” and “Best Hard Rock Performance” (for the song “Bring Me to Life”). It features other hits like “Going Under” and “My Last Breath.” These days, many songs are plagued by crude and pointless lyrics. The songs here reflect a multitude of emotions. Whether it's unrequited love or grief, Lee's voice portrays it.

I first picked up this CD because of the cover: a somewhat creepy picture of Lee's head in black and neon blue. Ever since, I've been enthralled by songs like “Tourniquet,” a stirring tale of betrayal and lost love, and “My Immortal,” an emotional blend of soft piano and somber lyrics.

Evanescence's songs appeal to gothic music fans everywhere, but they're not too hardcore for those unfamiliar with the genre. This album is truly a must-listen for anyone looking for something dark and emotive amidst a sea of substandard bubble-gum pop.

Magazine This piece has been published in Teen Ink’s monthly print magazine.




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This article has 50 comments. Post your own!

Cut-out-ur-eyesVIP said...
Jan. 30 at 9:36 pm:

(To me) it sounds like a lot of the songs are about her sister's death. I love Evanescence, Amy is amazing.

 
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chloe_garrettVIP said...
Jan. 25 at 7:53 pm:

EXACTLY RIGHT. For example- Tpain. what a pathetic person. A computer can be famous and sing better than a person.

 
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knightly99 said...
Oct. 10, 2011 at 12:27 pm:

Your review is really true. There's a lot of talentless people out there call themselves 'artists'. Evanescence is not one. And their music is awesome :) best metal band out there.

 
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smagattack789 said...
Sept. 4, 2011 at 9:58 pm:

beautiful band

 
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musicprincessVIP said...
Aug. 29, 2011 at 6:07 pm:

Tourniquet deals with sui.cide and whether or not they'll be forgiven and allowed into heaven (for those who have been wondering) and it's actually a cover song.

 
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callie15VIP said...
Jun. 24, 2011 at 7:02 pm:

great review; the way you write really makes the reader want to listen to their music (although i've already heard their music before, and yes, they are very good!)

 
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Fate98VIP said...
Jun. 2, 2011 at 3:22 am:

*only

soz i'm a bad typest

 
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Fate98VIP said...
Jun. 2, 2011 at 3:20 am:

Amy Lee has the most powerful and beautiful voices that i could onle dream of having. The atmospher at an Evanescence gig is mezmorising. The way she captures the music and look of the band it fantastic

 
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DownNDirtyCountryGirlVIP said...
May 19, 2011 at 10:09 am:

Amy Lee sings about emotin. Take their song My Immortal for instance. She wrote that after a los very great to her. And what about Bring me to life? She wrote that about her feeling towards her former boyfriend. Amy Lee and the band write music from their personal experience.

 
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Fallingxinxreverse said...
May 11, 2011 at 2:59 pm:

I just want to say that "Tourniquet" isn't about lost love at all.

It's simply about death. so.. yea..

 
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Hope U. said...
Feb. 7, 2011 at 4:31 pm:

i always liked EVANESCENCE

she is so kool

 
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September-Frost said...
Dec. 30, 2010 at 7:05 pm:

I've always loved Evanescence! They rock

 
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DarkAngelWishes said...
Dec. 14, 2010 at 7:29 pm:

Evanescence, probably some of the most deep and amazing music ever, cant stop listening to them, they're my top band

 
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SaMiLoVe97VIP said...
Nov. 26, 2010 at 8:17 pm:

Evanscene is like a drug to me. I just cant have enough. lol (not that i do drugs) once i heard them, i couldnt sto listening!!!! very nice review(:

 
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claire-baire said...
Nov. 6, 2010 at 10:30 pm:

I first came to Evanescence when I was 10 years old and I fell in love with them. They have introduced me to new types of music like gothic and emo and metal. That is now my favorite genres.

 
CaeCae97VIP replied...
Nov. 17, 2011 at 8:41 pm :

That's pretty much where I stand actually.

 
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WritingLoverForeverVIP said...
Aug. 31, 2010 at 4:51 pm:

I have never been a fan of the dark, punk, Gothic-like music, but somehow Evanescence captured my heart from the beginning. The flavor of Lee's songs are noticeably different from most Goth music, and on top of that she has a gorgeous angelic voice. Evanescence is one of my favorite groups.

 
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InkDance said...
Aug. 20, 2010 at 8:58 am:

This article made me actually want to go and look up some songs by Evanescence...I'm going to do that right now, actually. Fantastic job!

 
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SHWEETsacrifice said...
Jul. 21, 2010 at 9:31 pm:

I <3333 Evanescence

My faves are Hello, Lithium, and Lose Control(:

 
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readlikecrazy10VIP said...
Apr. 29, 2010 at 3:13 pm:

nice review! i love the song "bring me to life", and amy has an amazing voice, even LIVE! :)

 
Angelkiss415 replied...
Jun. 7, 2010 at 11:21 am :

I like evanscence and I think by far this is the best album they have ever done. My favourite is taking over from that album.

 
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NoahTrainor said...
Apr. 21, 2010 at 3:07 pm:

As much as I do like this album, I have to argue the fact that yes, it is gothic, but no, it is not metal. This is a little thing we metal musicians like to call "Hard Rock". Actually, for us fans of Hardcore, Screamo, Metalcore and the like are normally turned off by the very mention of the words "Hard Rock". Nevertheless, I agree this is a very powerful album, it has great riffs, and insightful lyrics. However, I could definately have done with out the special Twelve Stones rapping appearance ... (more »)

 
maja123456789 replied...
May 21, 2010 at 7:05 pm :

Actually, Evanescence is a metal band. Maybe a lot of their songs aren't completely hardcore, but Evanescence would be tagged as a gothic metal band.

 
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WitnessingStarlight said...
Feb. 25, 2010 at 10:32 am:

Amy Lee portrays true beauty.
Evanescence is an extremely talented band, and I agree with everything written in this review. It's written very well, might I add. (:

 
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BillyJoeBobKellyGeorge said...
Dec. 21, 2009 at 7:27 pm:

i love evanescence too. amy lee is one of the best singers in the business. haha my favs include "tourniquet" and "lithium" and of course "my immortal" which i can play on piano. :D

 
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siobhansgrant said...
Dec. 21, 2009 at 2:38 pm:

I classified Evanescence as symphonic metal/ symphonic rock. Regardless of what you classify them as, they ROCK and yet none of us argue that they are awesome.

 
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ShernayB.VIP said...
Dec. 7, 2009 at 12:02 pm:

i love evanescence. beautiful lyrics, beautiful sound.

 
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ConstanceScott said...
Dec. 1, 2009 at 11:49 am:

I would like to clarify a few things, such as the fact that you described the band as "gothic metal act. " Surely you do not listen to alot of metal because you obviously cannot tell the clear difference.
Second, ever since their album "Fallen" I have not found any new music by them that is half as good. My favorite hard rock radio station even dropped all their songs from their playlist because nobody was requesting them and they took up space. Third, most rock artis... (more »)

 
erinzombie replied...
Dec. 17, 2009 at 5:17 pm :

Hey, this is a personal review. The whole point of this is to express opinion- just because you don't percieve evanescene in the same way as this person doesn't make your opinion right. Obviously this person enjoyed the album and so have others, write your own review.

 
Vexa_Rave replied...
Dec. 27, 2009 at 1:08 pm :

First of all, who cares what genre they're considered? What matters is the music, not whether they're considered "metal" or "hard rock" or "bubblegum pop." Secondly, she was only expressing her opinion. Give her a break. Not everyone has to agree with you.

 
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bagofskittles said...
Nov. 20, 2009 at 1:59 pm:

This was a nice review and I do love this band but I must criticize one thing. EVANESCENCE IS NOT A METAL BAND. I'd say they're a more hard rock band. The instruments are too simply done and the thing that runs the band is Amy Lee. Her voice is beautiful, her piano playing is good, and she puts emotions into her song. But she's not a metal musician. And there is good and meaningful metal music out there such as Nightwish, Otep, Lacuna Coil, and Epica.

 
Vexa_Rave replied...
Dec. 27, 2009 at 1:04 pm :

They may not be a totally metal band, but they do have plenty of metal influences.

 
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BillyJoeBobKellyGeorge said...
Nov. 7, 2009 at 12:16 am:

I <3 Amy Lee's voice. Have you listened to "The Open Door" CD? haha my fav. song from that CD is "Lithium" but nothing can compare to "My Immortal" :]

 
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Iiae H. said...
Aug. 30, 2009 at 10:49 pm:

Great review! And great to see another fan! :D

 
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Electricity said...
Aug. 13, 2009 at 12:49 pm:

great review! I totally agree. If you like Evanescence, you might like Nightwish and Within Temptation

 
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annkaykay2011VIP said...
Aug. 9, 2009 at 12:30 am:

Great review!

 
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halfemoonie said...
Jul. 6, 2009 at 9:47 pm:

I adore Evanescence and this review did them justice. Amy Lee is one of my idols-I'm a musician. Everyone should check out The Open Door CD too; it's friggin' sweet and Amy's voice just blows you away. =] Good job dude.

 
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GlassHeart said...
Jun. 29, 2009 at 1:02 am:

I agree

 
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Wishing said...
Jun. 28, 2009 at 8:01 pm:

I love the songs Tourniquet and My Immortal!!!

Completely agree!

 
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inspiredbynature said...
Jun. 27, 2009 at 2:28 am:

Evanescence is a legend. And you did them justice with this review! Amy Lee is inpirational; she writes meaningful lyrics, not about a football player dumping you... I'm sad that they're broken up.

 
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JordonVIP said...
Jun. 11, 2009 at 12:38 pm:

Totally agree. Very well written. x

 
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Tweenky said...
May 13, 2009 at 10:32 pm:

Evanescence is a really great band and what I like the most about it is that it's a band with a female vocalist---or "chick band". Amy Lee proves that woman could do anything men can, including being in the rock scene.
[And by the way:Great job on the review.] :]

 
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BurningBright said...
Mar. 12, 2009 at 11:15 pm:

This review was absolutely marvelous! You have such amazing grammar skills and you're very good with adjectives. I love everything about Evanescence, and I'm proud to say that I'm from their home state. They're one of my top favorite bands, and it's nice to see that they have such a wide fan base. Again, excellent job!

 
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edwardtem13 said...
Mar. 3, 2009 at 10:57 pm:

ok i liked the review, it is true that not many songs have good lyrics anymore. i love the fact that Evanescence is so dark.the difference between Evanescence and rap music ,Hannah Montana, and danity kane is that Evanescence is good.the rest stink.

 
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*babii girlz* said...
Feb. 26, 2009 at 4:56 pm:

Evanescence is a really good band also too you guyz should look up breaking benjamin....they r really a great band!!

 
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Amyyy said...
Feb. 16, 2009 at 7:54 pm:

Evanescence is AWESOME!!! You did a great job with your writing and thank you so much for writing about this artist!!!!!!

 
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someday931 said...
Feb. 1, 2009 at 2:46 am:

Evanessence is the best thing to listen to if your looking for something different but still good. My sister introduced the band to me when i was nine and I've been llistneing to them ever since. Call Me When Your Sober is my favorite song by them. Amy Lee is my idol.

 
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Vexa said...
Jan. 27, 2009 at 1:48 pm:

i LOVE Evanescence! they're my favorite band! Amy Lee is one of my idols, and they're just plain amazing! my fave song by them is My Last Breath, but i like them all. XD excellent review, too! ^_^ (i love how you mentioned that hardly anyone writes good lyrics anymore. XD)

 
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wester3450 said...
Jan. 11, 2009 at 4:13 pm:

This is still one of my favorite albums. I know a lot of people who think that Evanescence aren't good just because they're popular, but they really are talented. Good job!

 
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bunty said...
Dec. 4, 2008 at 12:36 pm:

Excellent article. well written. I wish it had some more details

 
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