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Lyrically, exploring dark, introspective themes of love and despair and combining this with a meld of nu-metal catharsis, twitchy industrial synths and Goth flourishes, Evanescence emerged onto the scene in 2003 with a sound all of their own. With soaring melodies and chugging guitars, these teen-misery titans become the breakout band of the year.
Vocalist Amy Lee and guitarist/songwriter Ben Moody met while in their early teens at a youth camp, and Evanescence first took shape in Little Rock, Arkansas at the end of the '90s. For some time the two were unable to recruit additional musicians, and not having the funds for professional assistance meant that they were unable to play live shows. However, two songs, "Understanding" and "Give Unto Me", found their way onto local music charts, and the demand for a live show increased.
Recruiting John LeCompt on guitar, and Rocky Gray on drums to complete the line up, the band hit the local live circuit and quickly became one of the most popular acts in the area. They went through several names, including 'Childish Intentions' and 'Stricken', before finally deciding on the name Evanescence, and began to establish a far reaching reputation.
They released two EPs; the 'Evanescence EP' (1998), and the 'Sound Asleep EP', also known as the 'Whisper EP' (1999), and their first full length demo CD, 'Origin' appeared in 2000.
The band didn't quite fit the mould of most others around at the time. With a female singer and epic, dramatic, dark rock sound, their debut album, "Fallen", introduced the quartet to the world in 2003, and caused a huge stir.
"Fallen" was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Dave Fortman and the album scored a massive hit with the single "Bring Me to Life", which featured a guest vocal from Paul McCoy of 12 Stone. The single hit the top of the European charts and the follow up, "My Immortal" peaked at Number 7 in the U.S. and U.K. Their inclusion in the soundtrack for the action movie 'Daredevil' also helped propel both songs into widespread popularity and firmly cemented Evanescence within the music scene.
"Bring Me to Life" garnered recognition for the band at the 2004 Grammy Awards, where they were given the Best Hard Rock Performance and Best New Artist awards. And the album was eventually certified six times Platinum, spending 43 weeks in the US Billboard Top 10 and selling over 14 million copies worldwide.
But things haven't all been rosy since they hit the big time. Co-founder and guitarist Ben Moody abruptly left mid-tour in 2003, replacement guitarist Terry Balsamo (formerly of Cold) later suffered a stroke, the band fell out with their long-time management, and bassist Will Body recently left the band to be replaced by Tim McCord, formerly of Revolution Smile.
But despite all the changes and upheavals, Evanescence are now back with their long awaited follow up album 'The Open Door'. Released at the beginning of this month it sold 447,000 copies in the United States in its first week of sales and earned them their first No 1 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart.
When Evanescence first emerged on the scene they were one of a kind, but now there are hoards of young bands searching for the right combo of goth eyeliner, death-like skin tone and morbid teen melodrama. EMO has hit this year, and all of a sudden everyone seems to be taking the Evanescence baton and running with it. But despite the fact that the novelty of that sound may be gone, Evanescence still know how to make the most of it. 'The Open Door' amps everything up to gloriously epic, over-the-top proportions, and takes their trademark sonic apocalypse to the next level.
