Show Reviews

Evanescence Brings Tears to the House of Blues

For several years EVheads have anxiously awaited the return of their Snow White Queen. After a quick half an hour set by British rockers Thunder Touch and an hour long set that did little more than annoy the crowd by Rival Sons, Evanescence fans erupted in applause as the lights dimmed and Evanescence finally took the stage in Orlando, FL, for the first time in almost five years.

“Hello, hello, remember me? I’m everything you can’t control,” Amy Lee sang the chorus of new single “What You Want.”

As the sold out crowd at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney echoed her cries it was clear that even though it had been a long time, Evanescence fans had not forgotten their passion for the emotionally ethereal sound that originally made Evanescence so popular with the release of their debut album Fallen.

Fans had expressed concern about how Evanescence’s sound would change after the break. Historically, Lee has been known for writing with just one other person, but in an interview with Pollstar Lee expressed that the new album would be more of a group effort. However, when EV took the stage it was evident how the band, who is notorious for rotating the cast that surrounds front woman Amy Lee, had grown closer together, and that this has benefited their music.

The band opened the show with a flurry of their heavier songs, Opening with “What You Want” and immediately following it with classic EV hit “Going Under.”

Evanescence would play many of their older hits, but with noticeably different additions to vocal patterns and guitar solos. Even their classic songs have grown as they have become closer as a band.

Though Evanescence topped the Billboard 200 chart with their self-titled comeback album selling over 127,000 copies, the album did not sell nearly as well as previous Evanescence chart topper The Open Door which moved more than 447,000 copies in its first week. Many critics cited that this was in response to the heavier style; however, one could make the argument that this is a different kind of album.

The Open Door incorporated many synths and strings and was an overall enjoyable album, Evanescence, however, was clearly meant to be experienced live.

Fan favorite, “The Change,” is evidence to the benefits of experiencing the new album live. The chorus is simply an explosion of emotion. Lee’s ethereal voice erupts into a prolonged cry over thundering guitar chords, a pounding piano melody and a drum line that forces the emotional outburst into the gut of the audience.

The audience cheered as Lee took her place behind a grand piano that was pulled out onto the middle of the stage. Suddenly, the grand piano seemed to be even more “Rock N’ Roll” then the various guitars that lined the stage.

From her seat at the piano, Lee showcased her beautifully ethereal range in the ballad “Lost in Paradise” that addresses the turmoil that internally tore Evanescence apart during their first run.

“All the promises I made just to let you down. You believed in me, but I’m broken,” Lee apologetically sings to her former band mates and fans, “We’ve been falling for all this time, and now I’m lost in paradise.”

Lee’s haunting voice captivated the audience at the emotional highpoint of the show, Lee put her heart into a song that directly addressed the fans, and they gave themselves back over to her by joining her with the final chorus as the band came in with support for the painful ballad.

Other highlights from the set included the lead single from The Open Door, “Call Me When You’re Sober” as well as new songs “Made of Stone” and “My Heart is Broken.”

Evanescence closed the show with “Bring Me to Life” and quickly rushed off stage. The fans did not move, and to the pleasure of the audience, Evanescence returned for a three song encore.

Courtesy: Naomi Lir

The first was a fan request for the lullabic “Swimming Home,” followed by “Your Star” which truly allows Lee to showcase her entire vocal range. Finally, Evanescence performed their monster single “My Immortal.”

“Since you won’t let us live it down if we don’t play it, here is our last song,” Lee joked with the audience, “But since we have to play it, you better sing along at the top of your lungs.”

Main Image Courtesy: bloodnet

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