After an approximate three-year hiatus, hard-rock act Evanescence has returned with their third studio album Evanescence. The self-entitled record proves that the group, despite their consistently juggling band members, still has the musical talent and popularity to be on top, reaching the number one position on the Billboard 200 Chart in its first week.
Fans who are looking for another run of Fallen won’t find it here. While the band still brings forth what they are known for, front woman Amy Lee has altered their sound, image and style, solidifying who and what Evanescence is. And this is evident within every facet of the album.
The record encompasses a more mature sound where some tunes cross over into the realm of symphonic, like ‘Lost in Paradise,’ in which the host of violins gives the song a mournful quality.
The record opens with the band’s first single, ‘What You Want,’ which has a fast tempo, a driving drum beat and is rhythmically catchy. This cross genre song showcases just how much the band has evolved since The Open Door in 2006.
Despite being the band’s heaviest record as of yet, Evanescence still carries songs, like ‘Swimming Home,’ that add a reprieve from the raunchy guitar riffs.
The highlight of this album, however, comes in the form of Lee’s unconventional vocal patterns, which, when layered over piano and guitar, mixes to create a haunting, yet edgy sound. It’s clear Lee has pushed herself vocally with this record; her zigzagging melodies are simply brilliant.
While ‘Erase This’ displays a masterful blending of hard-rock and classical piano, ‘Made of Stone’ is notable for its double-track harmonies and for being the most reminiscent of an older Evanescence.
Evanescence is a beautifully crafted hard-rock album and is a great refresher for fans. It delivers a clear, crisp and concise sound that is (almost) tangible. Musically, this album reasserts who Evanescence is.
For a concert review on Evanesence's performance on October 25 at the Sound Academy, visit: http://theutscmessenger.com/?p=4204
For more, check out:
The Underground: http://www.the-underground.ca/author/leigh-cavanaugh/
The Messenger: http://theutscmessenger.com/?tag=writer-leigh-cavanaugh
Photo courtesy//evanscence.com
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