With the highly anticipated release of their second album, goth-rock band Evanescence proves their staying power despite the departure of co-founding songwriter/guitarist Ben Moody, who exited unexpectedly mid-tour in late 2003. Soon after, their bassist also called it quits, just as the group was gaining international fame. But none of these hang-ups have stopped enduring vocalist Amy Lee.
The band's lineup is no longer in shambles with the addition of six-stringer Terry Balsamo, of former mention in Limp Bizkit's early days and the grunge-rock-inspired band Cold. The other major change is that Lee has now taken hold of the creative reigns of the group (although she was always truly the leader anyway). On their new release, The Open Door, Evanescence continues its dramatic, pulsing beats coupled with Lee's powerfully expressive vocals, showing that three years of struggle will not affect or drastically change their explosive sound.
Evanescence's debut album Fallen sold 7 million copies in the United States, becoming an unexpected instant hit. The breakthrough album was revolutionary in its combination of hard rock goth-metal hits and a female lead with an operatic, beautifully chilling voice. Fallen generated two top-10 singles, "My Immortal" and "Bring Me To Life," on the Billboard Hot 100.
The first single of The Open Door, "Call Me When You're Sober," definitely does not disappoint. The song resonates with Lee's soaring voice and hard-hitting guitar, packing an extra punch as it speaks against Lee's ex-beau Shawn Morgan of Seether.
Other titles also take hits at Lee's former acquaintances, like Moody in the fast-tempo track "Sweet Sacrifice," where Lee belts out, "One day I'm gonna forget your name/ And one sweet day, you're gonna drown in all my pain."
In characteristic Evanescence fashion, all of the songs on The Open Door express Lee's extreme emotions about breakups, while also showing her indulgence in deeply morbid and darkly compelling themes. The eerie vibes of "Snow White Queen" speak about obsessive, self-destructive fans and "Weight of the World" is about the exhausting pressures of fame. In "Like You," Lee most clearly flaunts her flair for the unusual as she recalls her deceased sister: "I Long to be like you/ Lie cold in the ground like you."
The tracks of The Open Door are largely successful in their winning combination of guitar, grand piano, Lee's amazing high vocals and the occasional gussied choir. The songs are more creative, complex and experimental than those of Fallen, as seen with the hypnotic "Lithium," combining piano, strings and guitar, and "Lacrymosa," a turn to epic rock and classical territory. "Good Enough" is a slower piano ballad that shows Lee's lighter side. The vibes are new to Evanescence's atmospheric goth-metal sound spectrum and are a decidedly strong way to end the 13-track set.
Proving that Evanescence can outlast turmoil and struggle, the band reveals no sophomore slump on The Open Door. The disc's dream-like artwork and emotionally charged lyrics and chords show front-woman Lee's ability as an artist as well as the group's talent as a new team. Although sometimes the emotional motifs can come off as a bit overdone, with its confident sound and expressive lyrics The Open Door is sure to please any fan, old or new.
Grade: 4 out of 5
