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Evanescence
:
evanescence (ev'e-nes'ens ): a dissipation
or disappearance like vapor
Although the
band's name may suggest a sudden vanishing, the music of Evanescence
is poised for longevity. Fallen, the Wind-up Records debut
of this talented quartet from Little Rock, Arkansas, is an
emotional, ethereal work of undeniable potency guided by the
heavenly vocals of Amy Lee. "We're definitely a rock
band," says the 20-year-old Lee. "But the twist
is that the band's music is epic, dramatic, dark rock."
Co-founders
Lee and guitarist/songwriter Ben Moody met while in their
early teens. "We were at a youth camp," Moody recalls.
"During some sort of recreational period held in a gymnasium,
I heard Amy playing Meat Loaf's 'I'd Do Anything for Love'
at the piano. So I went over to meet her, and she started
singing for me. I was pretty much blown away, so I suckered
her into joining a band with me." Since that day, the
musical relationship has remained dependably loyal. "We
have the same exact vision regarding what we love about music,"
Moody says. "When it comes to songwriting, we finish
each other's thoughts."
Evanescence
first took shape in Little Rock at the end of the '90s. Predictably,
the band didn't quite fit the mold of most others lingering
around the Midwestern state. "It's typically death metal
or really soft, older-people music there," says Lee.
"I don't even know of any local bands that have female
singers." Influenced by a wide-ranging collection of
artists such as Bjork, Danny Elfman and Tori Amos, the band
started releasing EPs of its material. Even without the benefit
of live performances, Evanescence began to establish a reputation.
"A lot of it developed by being elusive," Moody
remembers. "The second song we ever wrote was this seven-minute,
ridiculous Goth anthem called 'Understanding.' And for some
reason, the local rock station decided to play it a lot. We
gained this popularity around town, even though no one knew
who we were or where to find us. It was because we could never
afford to play a show -- it was just Amy and I -- and we couldn't
pay any musicians."
Fallen was
tracked in Los Angeles with producer Dave Fortman (BOYSETSFIRE,
Superjoint Ritual). The album successfully finds that intangible
balance between lush beauty and primal heaviness. Typical
of the record is the first single, "Bring Me To Life,"
a piano ballad-turned-riff-driven barnburner. Highlighted
by a guest vocal from Paul McCoy of 12 Stones, the song is
featured prominently in the Daredevil film and soundtrack.
'Bring
Me To Life' is about discovering something or someone that
awakens a feeling inside them that they've never had before,"
says Moody. He continued, "You discover there is a world
that is bigger than just your safe bubble." Also significant
is the vibrant anthem "Tourniquet" and the eerie
"Haunted," with its pummeling beats and jarring
melodies (augmented by chamber choir arrangements courtesy
of Lee). Of the latter, Moody asserts, "It's the song
that is the most 'us'. That best sums up what we strive to
sound like."
Lyrically,
Evanescence explores dark, introspective themes of love, desperation,
and despair. But the group insists its fundamental message
is a positive one. "The point of this whole record and
band is to let people know that they're not alone in dealing
with bad feelings or pain or anything that they go through,"
says Lee, who pens most of the words. "That's life and
that's human. They're not alone, and we're going through it,
too." Live,
Evanescence functions as a quartet with John LeCompt (guitar)
and Rocky Gray (drums) rounding out the line-up. "As
a four-piece, we are able to carry out the intricate harmonies
and orchestrations of the memorable material on Fallen,"
Moody emphasizes. "We're very sincere about what we do.
There's so much pre-packaged teen angst these days in music.
That's not us. We're not trying to sell an angle, we're just
here writing from our heart."
 _.:Evanescence
Official Site
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