Jump to content

Evanescence

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 198.107.20.174 (talk) at 20:15, 26 April 2006 (→Fallen). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Look up evanescence in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Evanescence
File:Evanescence - current members.jpg
Background information
Years active1996–present
MembersAmy Lee
Terry Balsamo
John LeCompt
William Boyd
Rocky Gray

Evanescence is a rock band from Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. Their music is described as dark, epic, and dramatic.

History

Evanescence was founded by Amy Lee and former lead guitarist Ben Moody. The two met at a youth camp in Arkansas, where Moody heard Lee playing "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" by Meat Loaf on the piano.

The pair discovered they shared a love of Jimi Hendrix and Björk, and they began to write songs together (the first was "Solitude" by Amy Lee, followed by "Understanding" by Ben Moody, "Give Unto Me" by Amy Lee, the fourth song written by them was "My Immortal"). The songs were altered lyrically and musically by Ashley Hincher, which is the reason for having the names of both of them in the credits for writing them.

For some time they were unable to find other musicians to play with, and did not have the funds to pay for professional assistance, thus they were unable to play live shows. However, two songs of theirs, "Understanding" and "Give Unto Me", found their way onto local music charts, and demand for a live show increased. When the band finally made an appearance, they became one of the most popular acts in the area. They went through several names, including Childish Intentions and Stricken, before deciding on the name Evanescence (meaning to fade away or dissipate like vapor). Amy said she loves the name because it is mysterious and dark, and it puts a picture in your mind, which is what she wanted to do.

Early Work

Their first full length album, Origin (released in 2000), is relatively unknown. The band also released two EPs, which are highly sought after by collectors due to their scarcity: the self-titled Evanescence EP (1998) of which about 100 copies were made, and the Sound Asleep EP, also known as the Whisper EP (1999), limited to 50 copies.

Not atypically, Origin and the EPs contain demo versions of some of the songs on their first major label debut album. In fact, the recording of "My Immortal" found on Fallen can also be found on Origin, minus a handful of additional instrumental accompaniments. However, Lee herself does not consider the record to be an actual album; rather, she considers it merely a bundle of demo songs (some of which she says are not done properly) that was sent to record companies. Only 2500 copies of this record were ever made, limiting its availability to the handful lucky enough to obtain one in the early years, or to those who are willing to pay the hundreds of dollars the discs now fetch. In response, Lee encouraged fans to download the band's older songs from the Internet during an interview. (Strangely, none of their post-Origin music is currently available for legal download.)

Not surprisingly, enterprising bootleggers have been selling fake copies of Origin, usually as a "Russian re-release," for high prices. It is highly encouraged that fans not risk money on a copy of Origin as it is likely not an original copy, nor does it benefit the band any longer.

Fallen

File:Evanescencefallen.jpg
Cover to Fallen

Their first major album Fallen has been certified 6x Platinum, spent 43 weeks in the Billboard Top 10 and has sold over 12 million copies worldwide. As of April 2005 Fallen is one of only four albums in the history of the chart to spend a full year (52 weeks) in the Billboard Top 50 (Spice by the Spice Girls, E. 1999 Eternal by Bone Thugs N Harmony, ...Baby One More Time by Britney Spears and Breakaway from Kelly Clarkson being the others).

Evanescence's major label debut single "Bring Me to Life" was a global hit for the band and reached #5 on the American Billboard Hot 100, while the equally popular "My Immortal" peaked at #7 in the U.S. Their inclusion in the soundtrack for the action movie Daredevil 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 Grammy Awards of 2004, where the band was given the Best Hard Rock Performance award. At the same time, Evanescence was awarded Best New Artist.

The two other singles off Fallen include "Going Under" and "Everybody's Fool", both of which include a music video.

The previously unreleased "Breathe No More" was featured in the 2005 soundtrack of the movie Elektra.

Ben's Departure

On October 22, 2003, Moody left the band abruptly in the middle of a European tour. The reasons for his departure were reportedly "creative differences." In an interview several months later [1], Amy Lee said: "We'd gotten to a point that if something didn't change, we wouldn't have been able to make a second record."

Since then, Lee has said it was almost a relief that he left because of tensions created within the band. Terry Balsamo from Cold joined the band, replacing Moody. Recently, Moody confessed in an interview that not only does he suffer from bipolar disorder, but that he's kicked a drug and alcohol habit that he was entrenched in during the strife within Evanescence. He's also said that the song he wrote about his abrupt departure, titled "10/22," was originally penned with him essentially pointing out Lee's flaws. However, introspection later revealed he was speaking about himself, not her, Moody said.

Anywhere But Home

Released in 2004, Evanescence's new lineup released a DVD/CD compilation entitled "Anywhere But Home". The DVD is their live-from-Paris show with several behind-the-scenes features, including shots of the band backstage, signing autographs, and warming up. The CD included contains a song entitled "Missing" which was previously unreleased. Also on the CD are the songs "Breathe No More" (from the Elektra movie soundtrack) and "Farther Away". They also included their cover of Korn's "Thoughtless" which they have played at several live shows.

The Chronicles of Narnia

Amy Lee was asked to write a theme song for the 2005 movie version of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but it was rejected by producers due to it being "too dark and epic." Lee briefly considered altering the song, but ultimately decided that she would "never compromise [her] art for anything."

Lee has hinted that fans may get to hear her unused Narnia music in some capacity in the future. In a post on EvBoard, the official message board of the band, she claimed no love was lost, saying it was just more great material for the new album.

The Open Door

Evanescence is currently working on their second album, titled The Open Door, due for release on October 3, 2006 (see press release). The album has progressed slowly for a number of reasons, but perhaps chiefly because of Amy Lee's desire to allow the creative process to fully take its course and not rush production. Besides that, other distractions have included other band members' side projects, health problems concerning guitarist Terry Balsamo and the controversy revolving around the dismissal of their former manager. Lee stated on EvBoard that Evanescence's new album will be wrapping up in March 2006. It will be on store shelves on October 3 2006. The release was pushed to October, allegedly because "Wind-Up [the band's current record label] wants to make a few changes to the upcoming single."

The Evanescence website was also updated after a long period of stasis to reflect the aforementioned press release.

Wrestling

Although not a prominent mark on Evanescence's career, some of their work has been featured in the world of wrestling. Just prior to its US release, "Bring Me To Life" was the pay-per-view theme music for WWE No Way Out 2003. Wrestler Christian Cage also uses a remodeled version of "My Last Breath" as his entrance theme. When Fred Blassie died of a heart attack, WWE used "My Immortal" for the music in a video tribute showing highlights of his career.

Christian Controversy

Originally considered by many to be part of the Christian rock scene – and for a short time promoted in Christian stores – the band made it clear that they did not want to be considered a Christian rock band, especially after controversy when Moody swore during an interview. Shortly thereafter, Christian stores removed Evanescence from their shelves. Since then Lee has been quoted as saying that they are not a Christian band and would appreciate it if the rumor was terminated.

Comparisons

The band is often compared to nu-metal bands such as Linkin Park, P.O.D. and Papa Roach, but many fans find this comparison inaccurate because it is based solely on "Bring Me to Life," which featured lead singer Paul McCoy of 12 Stones playing rap-style counterparts over a short section of the music. This is not reflective of most of their other music, both on Fallen and in their earlier work. Evanescence has also been compared to bands such as In Winter, Lacuna Coil, Nightwish, and Within Temptation, all of which incorporate female vocalists and dark lyrical themes, but these bands are considered to be symphonic metal/gothic metal rather than rock.

During live shows, Evanescence often performs cover songs from contemporary bands, such as A Perfect Circle, The Offspring, Garbage, Metallica, and Korn. They have also covered material by defunct alternative rock bands such as Soundgarden and The Smashing Pumpkins.

Band members

Current Line-up

Past band members

  • Ben Moody - lead guitar (co-founder - left October 2003)
  • David Hodges - keyboards, vocals (left December 2002)

Discography

Album information
Fallen
  • Released: March 2003 (North America)
  • Chart positions: #1 UK, #3 U.S., #1 CAN, #1 AUS
  • Certifications: 6x platinum (RIAA — U.S.)
  • U.S. sales: 6+ million
  • Worldwide sales: 12 million
 Album information
The Open Door

EPs

Live album

  • 2004: Anywhere but Home — #6 (U.S. Multiplatinum Certified DVD)
    Live in Paris; includes DVD of concert, music videos, behind-the-scenes footage, etc.

Singles

The following singles charted in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. A hyphen indicates that the single was not released in the country.

Complete List of Band Recordings

Evanescence EP (December 1998, released by BigWig Enterprises)[limited edition of 100 copies]:

  • 1. Where Will You Go (EP version)
  • 2. Solitude
  • 3. Imaginary (EP version)
  • 4. Exodus
  • 5. So Close
  • 6. Understanding
  • 7. The End

Sound Asleep/Whisper EP (August 1999 released by Evanescence with help from BigWig Enterprises)[limited edition of 50 copies]:

  • 1. Give Unto Me (Sound Asleep version)
  • 2. Whisper
  • 3. Understanding (Sound Asleep version)
  • 4. Forgive Me
  • 5. Understanding
  • 6. Ascension of The Spirit (instrumental)

Origin (November 4th 2000, by BigWig Enterprises):

  • 1. Origin (instrumental)
  • 2. Whisper
  • 3. Imaginary (Origin version)
  • 4. My Immortal
  • 5. Where Will You Go
  • 6. Field Of Innocence
  • 7. Even In Death
  • 8. Anywhere
  • 9. Lies
  • 10. Away From Me
  • 11. Eternal (instrumental)

Fallen (March 4th 2003, by Wind-Up Records) [debut album]:

  • 1. Going Under
  • 2. Bring Me To Life
  • 3. Everybody's Fool
  • 4. My Immortal
  • 5. Haunted
  • 6. Tourniquet
  • 7. Imaginary (Fallen version)
  • 8. Taking Over Me
  • 9. Hello
  • 10. My Last Breath
  • 11. Whisper (Fallen version)

(on an international rerelease of Fallen later on, a 12th track is included, which is My Immortal [band version])

Anywhere But Home [live from Paris] (November 23rd 2004):

  • 1. Haunted [live]
  • 2. Going Under [live]
  • 3. Taking Over Me [live]
  • 4. Everybody's Fool [live]
  • 5. Thoughtless (korn cover) [live]
  • 6. My Last Breath [live]
  • 7. Farther Away [live]
  • 8. Breathe No More [live]
  • 9. My Immortal [live]
  • 10. Bring Me To Life [live]
  • 11. Tourniquet [live]
  • 12. Imaginary [live]
  • 13. Whisper [live]
  • 14. Missing (previously unreleased)

Singles are as follows: Bring Me To Life promo single (January 2003, by Wind-Up Records):

  • 1. Bring Me To Life

Bring Me To Life single (April 2003, by Wind-Up Records):

  • 1. Bring Me To Life (album version)
  • 2. Bring Me To Life (bliss mix)
  • 3. Farther Away (final edit)
  • 4. Missing

Going Under single (September 2003, by Wind-Up Records):

  • 1. Going Under (album version)
  • 2. Going Under (live acoustic)
  • 3. Heart Shaped Box (acoustic Nirvana cover)
  • 4. Going Under (video)

My Immortal single (December 2003, by Wind-Up Records):

  • 1. My Immortal (band version)
  • 2. My Immortal (album version)
  • 3. Haunted (live @ AOL sessions)
  • 4. My Immortal (live from Cologne)

Everybody's Fool single (May 2004, by Wind-Up Records):

  • 1. Everybody's Fool (album version)
  • 2. Taking Over Me (live from Cologne)
  • 3. Whisper (live from Cologne)
  • 4. Everybody's Fool (instrumental)

Unreleased items are the 1997-1998 demos, and the 2001-2002 demos which circulate on the internet on many different fan sites. In addition to the official releases, Windupinvasion.com has a supposedly accurate list of every song the band has either released, performed live, or included on soundtracks/compilation albums.

See also

Evanescence Fansites

Message Boards

Year Single Chart positions Album
U.S. UK Canada Australia
2003 "Bring Me To Life" #5 #1 #3 #1 Fallen
"Going Under" #26 #8 #11 #14 Fallen
2004 "My Immortal" #7 #7 #1 #4 Fallen
"Everybody's Fool" #24 #23 Fallen
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Evanescence&oldid=50308408"