THE STRANGE HISTORY OF EVANESCENCE

[@ThePunkRockMBA]

Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/finnmckenty

[@slashismyhommie8182]

You forgot to mention their drummer when they blew up, I think his name was Rocky, actually played guitar in Living Sacrifice. Which in all honesty, that band (also from Little Rock Arkansas) I think for a period in time was one of the better metal bands out there, just unfortunately didn't have much cross over appeal and fizzled out before the whole metalcore scene myspace blow up. If they just would have held on a little longer, I think they could have been HUGE. But it is what it is. I every so often put on The Hammering Process and Conceived In Fire albums from them. Hammering Process honestly one of my favorite metal albums of all time regardless of belief system association

[@sambell385]

Wait a minute Homie there’s as many men and people of all different walks of life that love evanescence not just chicks and christians

[@grocker5382]

Would you sign my sketch book with your throwie/tag ?

[@amused2death2012]

Hi, thank you for the the vid! Great! I was wondering if you could also do a vid on the band "Drown"...?

[@MichaelShulski]

You're a Republican dude. You aren't punk at all. You're an authoritarian.

[@ciaraskeleton]

I love that she never let the media or label pressure her into sexualising herself to sell music. I always admired how captivating she was in her voice, style and looks.

[@fernandoruiz7713]

Agreed, in terms of women in rock she often gets overlooked simply because she didn’t want to be a sex icon similar to Deborah Harry (although no discredit to Deborah Harry she is still an amazing musician)

[@ciaraskeleton]

@@fernandoruiz7713 totally agree! Girls like Kathleen hanna, kat bjelland etc right up to Amy Lee and other modern women who never gave in to male gaze do not get enough credit! I think they're legends ❤️ Totally agree with you about Debbie Harry too, she is iconic in a whole other empowering way!

[@henrywebb3009]

She's honestly a wonderful rolemodel.

[@metroidhunter965]

To be fair, goth girls are a whole other world of hotness compared to showing skin. I would say that her gothic look helped propel women in metal, especially female-fronted bands. Current gothic-metal hotties come to mind is Tatiana Shmailyuk of Jinjer (see the _King of Everything_ album run) and Lena Scissorhands of Infected Rain.

[@ciaraskeleton]

@@metroidhunter965 I would even use the word beautiful tbh! It sort of goes beyond hotness right? They're ethereal ✨️

[@bearxfoo1450]

as a girl who was gothy in highschool, and whose mother disapproved of the music i listened to, evanescence was the only band i was able to see live. they were a huge influence in my life for metal music. and as a choir nerd, i was able to get the whole choir to sing My Immortal which was amazing!

[@AngelusaNobilis]

My first concert as a teen was Evanescence!

[@docholiday3800]

Cool and sad story mate. 90's and early 2000's was a funny time

[@morganc.m1830]

Gothy? Lol

[@morganc.m1830]

I started dressing Gothic after school once I got a job again and was able to get things together for outfits. I used to dress punk rock with a band shirt and ripped jeans. Now, I wearing stockings/nets, skirts, belts, chains, arm sleeves, collars, etc.

[@misstanyamae]

@@AngelusaNobilis same! She really is incredible. I haven't been able to enjoy music for a while, but I think this channel is great because it reminds me of all the stuff that gave me joy in the first place.

[@nu-metalfan2654]

How anyone could say Evanescence is a one hit wonder I just don’t get, when My Immortal and Call Me When You’re Sober were both HUGE hit singles, and Going Under was a big hit as well.

[@NickDePanfilis]

Going Under and Bring Me To Life are always on the radio stations in my area

[@shanksmcnasty6650]

@@NickDePanfilis yea those 2 are the biggest by far

[@jpl1608]

One album wonder.

[@nu-metalfan2654]

@@jpl1608 Call Me When You’re Sober was on their second album.

[@larrylindgren9484]

Amy has said it herself. Her music isn't really chart friendly. She doesn't follow was hip or in so to speak. She does Amy. Like it or hate it. It doesn't matter to her. She does stuff she's always said she's happy with. Not what others are happy with.

[@user-ky4jd8cm2o]

I was born in China. I was often bullied when I was in the middle school in China. Back in middle chool in early 2000s, I bought the album Fallen at a bookstore near my middle school. The album was marked with "destroyed" with a cut hole on it, but it could still be played. I think in this way it could be imported from the US legally as a "collectible trash" indead of a media content. This was my earliest memory of the US rock music. I didn't know much English and have no idea what Amy was singing about, but I knew the music was amazing and powerful. It comforted me during that hard time. Then I learned more about metal and rocks from other bands and these music motivate me and helped to go through the hard time. Now I live in the US with a happy life and job. Wish to say thanks to Evanescence.

[@notyouraveragesouthernmama]

What an amazing story! I’ve seen on sites like Bilibili that EV doesn’t seem to be very popular in China, however I am glad that Nightwish and Linkin Park saw relative success there.

[@Andrew_Warden]

That's an awesome story! Thanks for sharing. I'm glad you found their music.

[@AliyahDayeVocals]

YES 100% - I was that alternative grungy homeschooled Christian girl who heard Evanescence and then got into metal. I would assume there are many more girls like me, as you said. Thanks for putting some respect on Evanescence. They led me to discovering Nightwish and Within Temptation, and subsequently the rest of the metal world.

[@teamnessie3876]

Grungy alternative homeschooled Christian girl here! When I watched the music video for Going Under at the age 12, I knew Amy Lee was my hero! She still is, and I still have my own weird style thanks to her! It always makes me sad when I see such disrespectful comments/videos/articles about Evanescence. Because I don't know who I would have been without their music!

[@gunnercolt6347]

My actual first real relationship was with a chick from the local Christian school where I live. I fell for her as she was a exact look alike of Amy. What a great time we grew up.

[@shonenjumpmagneto]

My preppy High School girlfriend had a Nightwish sticker on a dresser in her room and she didn't know what it meant because someone gave it to her & she never took it off wondering the entire time lol. I told hwr it was a heavy metal band which was funny because, yeah preppy.

[@soldyD]

Now Evanescence and Within Temptation are both on tour

[@michellerosebrown]

Same. 🤘🏾🖤

[@CountPunk]

How can you not love Evanescence?? Amy is just so charismatic and an amazing person and vocalist. She’s one of a kind and their music is simply great...

[@MrParkerman6]

The kind that repeatidly says no!

[@batschisane1339]

To answer your question: If you simply don't like that style of music(goth metal with female classical vocals), it is very easy to don't like them...

[@UriBlack]

She has issues and the fan base is toxic now. They went Woke and didn't release an album until 10 years later. They are done

[@notyouraveragesouthernmama]

@@UriBlackthey literally just sold out their biggest concert ever in Brazil take a seat. Also Use My Voice is about participating in the political process, you using “woke” is such a scarecrow.

[@RichardtheLionHeart645]

In every interview I've seen, Amy seems like one of the kindest and most genuine people around. I'm glad they are starting to get the recognition they deserve.

[@radiogilligan]

Unless she has changed, she’s not. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@BZtheAnti]

Lmao. Ask yourself why is she the only original member. The answer isn’t because she’s a genuine and kind person.

[@HoveringAboveMyself]

@@radiogilligan I remember that a couple years ago the general sentiment was that she was "not nice" and suddenly this year I've seen several channels singing her praises, was I fed lies about her before or are they just a bunch of sell outs?

[@radiogilligan]

@@HoveringAboveMyself she is friendly to the media because she knows that it is a useful tool, but she is different outside the media bubble.

[@MichaelJoshuaWilliams]

Lots of people here seem to know Amy personally 😂

[@orionthomas967]

I think Evanescence's lasting impact will be Amy Lee's influence and importance to a ton of young women. She's managed to carve out her own niche in the genre without ever compromising herself or the band really, which is impressive considering how big the band was and still is.

[@notyouraveragesouthernmama]

She’s also not a hired singer. Evanescence is her brainchild entirely. Everything from her distinctive vocal style, classically trained piano playing, music video / fashion design choices, and most of all Amy being the primary songwriter of all of her music. She’s been labeled a game changer and disruptor by many media outlets and helped inspire Lzzy Hale, Courtney LaPlante, and Taylor Momsen to rock on and be their own kind of rockers.

[@AnimetalViking]

Evanescence as a band and Amy Lee's fasion aesthetic also had a pretty major impact on the anime director Shuuko Murase. He was the co-creator of the anime series Ergo Proxy and the main character of the show, Re-l Mayer, looks almost identical to Amy and her name is actualy Amy's full name just rearranged. The soundtrack also carried a lot of gothic elememts mixed with electronic and rock music. Highly recommend it if you are into the cyberpunk genre.

[@von_freiesleben64]

i knew it, thanks for confirming :D

[@neoshida]

That anime series sucks tho..

[@suburban_guy]

Great anime

[@suburban_guy]

@@neoshida it's deep though

[@te9591]

Yeah someone pisted a couple images of the cover of that anime to to one of her promotional images and it looks almost the same.

[@MS-di1rw]

Amy has such a recognisable voice, it's so dark and ghostly. I like. Her piano skills are also top notch.

[@lucyknox1745]

I have loved Evanescence since I was a little 11/12yr old goth girl (I am now 29!) They were my first concert ever and I will always remember how beautiful Amy Lee's voice is live.

[@halisaurusrex8366]

God, I felt like I was the only one who thought Evanescence was slept on. As someone who has been singing for years, her voice is absolutely breathtaking.

[@bruja_cat]

It’s so hard for women to break into the rock/metal scene, it’s so male-dominated. She really went where female rock singers are so rare on the big scale and Evanescence killed it!

[@blackjack7207]

I've never been and never will be ashamed to admit Evanescense was the first ever band I was a fan of and I've never really stopped listening to their songs. Amy Lee and Evanescense was a really big influence in my love for victorian gothic, gothic scene and symphonic/folk metal and rock in general. Tourniquet was my favorite song for years and I really enjoy them even today and they introduced me to a lot of music I love. I'm really grateful with them and forever will.

[@notyouraveragesouthernmama]

You have good taste. Tourniquet is a bop.

[@Hillelfraenkel]

The first rock/metal band I listened to was Linkin Park at around the age of 15. About a year later my sister introduced me to evanescence, and as someone who’s been playing classical piano his entire childhood, it was such a cool thing to see that the classical music and rock fusion that they did. I think that the band that really got me hyped on rock for the first time were Evanescence .

[@carpediemearth]

Similar reason why I got into Evanescence. Amy in particular brought and fused so different elements and vibes to the music, and aesthetically too (music videos, her own wardrobe she designed, etc). Evanescence and Amy eventually basically became the soundtrack to my life, even as they took forever between albums lol

[@mussecat9576]

Oh man, a few years ago I went to an Evanescence concert with friends. I think I even cried a bit when they performed My Immortal. It was magical.

[@DragonKnightX12]

Nightwish and Lacuna Coil debuted years before Evanescence. They were just never really popular in the States, but they’ve always been massive in Europe. American Goths have always seemed to be more into Nu-Metal and Industrial. I would say Motionless In White is definitely carrying the torch for Millennial and Gen Z Goths.

[@hrotha]

Nightwish and Lacuna Coil were big in the European metal scene, but they sure as hell weren't mainstream. Nobody who wasn't into metal knew about them, while Evanescence's Bring Me to Life was absolutely everywhere

[@ThePunkRockMBA]

exactly

[@bettinos9929]

Nightwish, Within Temptation and Epica are better than Evanescense, but they we're mainstream as Evanescence and that's why Evanescence is important as the firs band many metalheads liked

[@ryangodschalk1876]

I dug bring me to life and going under. Made me discover nightwish and lacuna coil. You could argue that neither band would not have gotten as big in the states as they did without evanescence blowing up.

[@DragonKnightX12]

@@ryangodschalk1876 I discovered Lacuna Coil from the Underworld soundtrack. Eh, I really think it’s cultural taste and ease of listening . Nightwish is Power Metal, and Americans don’t seem to care for that genre. Lacuna Coil came from the extreme side of Gothic Metal, then went kind of Nu-Metal with a very Coal Chamber and Korn inspired sound. They went heavy on the last two albums adding in Metalcore and bringing back Andre’s death growls. Evanescence to me has always been a Rock band. Very radio friendly and accessible to a wide audience. The only thing these 3 bands got in common is Goths and being fronted by women.

[@jessco8950]

My immortal still makes me want to cry every time I hear it. It doesn’t help they played it at one of my best friends funeral after she passed away from an overdose so now I have to associate the song with that.

[@aura.l.b.2290]

I discovered Evanescence through a happy accident. My Immortal popped up on a random youtube mix of mine and I got hooked on that song. As a singer myself, I was so drawn in by her dark tone and ethereal-sounding vocals. 4 years later I’m a fan of the band and my friends now jokingly call me a discount Amy Lee because I model some of my vocal technique after her. Literally, this band was my introduction to rock music and now I have a fondness for 2000s rock and pop punk because of this band

[@shivangichatterjee7308]

Same story I first heard lost in paradise while listening I suddenly clicked on my immortals it's was love at first sight for both of the songs with more research I got to know about Evanescence ❤

[@victoriarooney9667]

This band DEFINITELY opened the door for me to rock/metal music. Evanescence holds a special place for me now as a 25yr old but also in nostalgia, looking back at myself at 12 scared and alone not knowing what life was throwing me at the time (childhood trauma). I can say they helped me escape me hard times into a world much brighter.

[@lauraromdeussen864]

Never was a big fan of Lee so much-she had pipes but so did others- until I saw her perform with WagakkiBand. One of the lead singers covered Bring Me To Life and Lee was on stage. She let the band’s singer take the lead and really just acted as support and harmony-and that is true professionalism. Also, her voice has held solid and steady and was great live. I went back and revisited the catalogue and it really has held the test of time.

[@Jota27]

You can check how Amy sings with Lzzy Hale (of Halestorm) in the song Break In. Amy never steal the show, and supports Lzzy in a beautiful way, each one using her capabilities and expertise. BTW, Lzzy is another humble rockstar, you can see in her collab with The Hu in Song of Women

[@KokoroBeach]

I absolutely loved their collab with Wagakki Band! I recently came to love them and when I heard Amy Lee sang with them live, it was probably the best thing I've heard!

[@Sapphire_Snowflakes]

As a gothy/alt Christian girl Amy has been such a huge influence to me including makeup and fashion which a lot is unique to her. The music is honestly beautiful and the open door has been a huge part of my life! She has inspired me a lot.

[@spookey2004]

This was the band that got me into heavy music, I love their music to death and their songs really mean a lot to me and have helped me through middle/high school. Though at first I just listened to some songs in an attempt to be edgy and different their music would really go on to change me and I grew to really love them. Tourniquet really means a lot to me as someone who at the time of getting into this band was going through a similar struggle. It’s like the song knew me and saw me and it really helped me through that time and though by now I no longer identify as Christian and I am in a much better place mentally the song still means a lot to me because it’s just really powerful. The Open Door is one of my favorite albums of all time and their self titled album is also pretty high up there and though I didn’t love their most recent album it has sone amazing songs on it and I’d still say this band is going strong to this day.

[@jacklynland3109]

I actually got into Lacuna Coil right when I got into Evanescence! Honestly, I liked evanescence, but I loved Lacuna Coil more. These two bands did get me into more metal, but I was already listening to the more hard rock stuff . Lacuna Coul got me into Cradle of Filth and Trystania, Sirenia, Draconian, Moonspell, Therion, Nightwish, and Epica, and I even remember listening to floor’s band After Forever! I also got into A Perfect Circle, Katatonia, and Lacrimose Profundere. I also got into Kamelot and power metal! Now I Sam all over the map of metal!

[@seadkolasinac7220]

Tristania 👍🏻👍🏻

[@HelenKorell]

>I even remember listening to floor’s band After Forever! ahahah do you know that Mark, who the main founder of Epica, was originally from After Forever and on first albums of that band he wrote a lot of song. If you'll go deep into European symphonic metal bands you're going to find many funny connections between them.

[@grancucui]

She also did that killer cover of Sally’s Song on the Nightmare before Christmas album Nightmare Revisited , but yes she deserves more credit indeed.

[@sheeva4673]

I was 7 when i listened Evanescence for the first time. I watched the video clip of Bring me to Life on the french equivalent of MTV. I completely fell in love with the song. I became a huge fan of the band and I started to get interested by metal music. My taste in metal as evolved since this time but something never changed : my love for Evanescence music. Without this band, i would probably never discover all the amazing band I listen to today.

[@Jarbas.Travels]

It's sad that she's so critical of Origin. I genuinely LOVE this record! Field of Innocence and Anywhere are some of my absolute favorite Evanescence songs!

[@sandorszabo7886]

It's funny that those old stuffs being hated by Amy are much-much better that she produces nowadays. Their original unique sound made them so successful, and behind their special muisc Ben Mooday was the real mastermind. After his departure the band slowly became mediocre. Amy is a talented composer and singer but Evanescence (I mean the old one) was much more than her

[@1409Elena]

I really love their So Close. That's my fav song of them.

[@trishanichole8440]

I think it's just Amy's personal feelings about that era of her music. It's good music but what it represents has always been sour for her.

[@user-mc5vy2vk5n]

Yes, So Close, Fields of Innocence, Where Will You Go and their other old stuff (remember EPs?) was fresh, creative, I like it a lot, tbh better than the latest stuff. Actually already in 2011 I was kinda heartbroken, because I saw they go with their newest album in the direction I don't wanna them to explore more than till then (electro music, yes, older pieces had it too, but not that much of it), so I listen to their older stuff only, the last album being TOD.

[@metalboy5150]

@@user-mc5vy2vk5n While I enjoy their older music (Origin included), I don't agree with your take on their self-titled album. It sounds just like "The Open Door," except better. It's got everything that made that album worth listening to, but more of it. Just listen to "My Heart Is Broken." Absolute monster of a song, that takes everything that made Evanescence sound awesome and jams it into one song.

[@ErikJason_]

Amy brought a lot to the genre and to the scene. Been fan of Evanescence for over 10 years now and despite the band not having lots of records, they always put out quality over quantity. My favorite album is the self-title from 2011, still one of my go-to jams to this day.

[@ObsidiaOpal]

They’ve got 7 records though?

[@abigaillkruss8823]

Yes Amy Lee was a huge influence for many of us as teenagers, for me they open the big door of "heavy, dark music"

[@TheRecklessMetalhead]

The self-titled album from 2011 gets unnecessary hate, and I thought that one was great. More darker and heavier than the rest before it. Also, "What You Want" is a dang freaking jam!

[@metalboy5150]

@@TheRecklessMetalhead Yeah, I don't really understand that. That album is bloody amazing, honestly better than "The Open Door," for my money. "My Heart is Broken" is a goddamn amazing tune. it sort of reaffirms everything that was always badass about Evanescence.

[@dannyspence2390]

They were definitely a music gateway for me in 2003, in a real heavy way. I'm 30 now and shortly after that album came out, KZbin came out, so listening to them on there got me recommendations for ALLLLLL different kinds of rock and metal bands that I'm into now. I haven't really listened to Evanescence in quite some time, but they were DEFINITELY formative for me.

[@TarekMG]

you forgot that they had an unintentional impact on the anime culture as one of the most prominent thriller anime - Ergo Proxy - had it's protagonist looking exactly like Amy Lee

[@slavojzizzek7562]

Disappointed you didn't mention that Rocky Gray, also in Living Sacrifice (out of Little Rock with Bruce Fitzhugh who did guest vocals for Evanescence, which you did mention), played a pretty critical role in their success. He's not the only LS alumni that went on to power other huge commercial and critical successes with Jason Truby going on to POD for their most critically acclaimed Self-Titled and Testify Era, helping them branch out into more prog synthesis of Reggae and other elements into their nu-metal sound, and Cory Putman who went on to head Norma Jean, a genre-bending band of their own.

[@sarahguttersberger6119]

Back in 2003, when I was 7 years old, i watched MTV on my older cousin's TV in her room. That's when I first saw/heard "bring me to life". At first, i was just scared and curious, but eventually, I fell in love. In high school, i dyed my blonde hair pitch black and wore corsets and black tutus, all just to be like Amy. Cut to now, many years later, i still love them, i met the band not once but TWICE, and i look back on so many great memories i have attached to their songs.

[@almost.sweettalk.caffeine]

I 100% agree with what you said about them being an introductory band to metal. They were my favourite band as a 7 year old, 20 years later and I’m still a metalhead! I do listen to most genres but appearance-wise I’m definitely a metalhead hahaha.

[@poiikaer]

Same, I remember listening to Fallen in my CD player to go to sleep at night when I was in elementary school. It helped that my mom was also a fan, haha

[@steveschu]

Metal?

[@drpepperparty]

Same - and I recently started listening to evanescence again. I’m glad they were my gateway drug to this amazing genre!!

[@Tetodash]

Thank you for bringing light to Evanescence! I’ve been a fan for over 10 years now and I hardly ever hear anyone outside of the fandom talking about them anymore. Their newer albums are really good. At this point I’ve seen them 4 times live and Amy still is an amazing performer. I’d highly recommend looking at the self titled album and The Bitter Truth if anyone hasn’t kept up with them since The Open Door era.

[@blacktide888]

Wow. This band brings back so many memories for me personally. I remember getting Evanescence album Fallen on Spring Break in Florida in 2003, and was blown away by the music and Amy Lee as a vocalist. Been a fan ever since.

[@jadeansell]

I loved evanescence growing up and still do, I looked up to Amy lee and thought she was such a powerful gothic woman, she inspired me to want to dress ln big gothic gowns and dye my hair black. she still does, she inspires me to be more in touch with my feminine side and I love her for it. it was hard growing up to find a woman who dressed how I wanted to and all I had were bands with male leads, until I found this band and I've loved them ever since. it lovely hearing stories of how music, fashion and rock bands inspire people.

[@MilitantMe]

I fanboyed so hard for Evanescence when Fallen came out. I was definitely one of those guys that got their unreleased EP and memorized all the original songs even if those demos weren't that good. But man, these guys were a sensation. I felt like they changed my perspective on Metal entirely.

[@bobbycone2]

I remember being at an Evanescence concert like 20 years ago and the drummer threw the top cover of one of his drums into thr pit snd I caught it. It had some crazy drawings on it that I assume him, but somone in the band did. I've still got it.

[@ladylilith4944]

I saw her in concert a few years ago in Oregon, she had an orchestra there and everything. She sounds just as amazing in person as she does in studio.

[@walwin]

Loved this. Been a huge fan since the first album, so it's great to see you giving them props 🤘🏿

[@Downhuman74]

Ah, man! Another great deep dive! You pretty summed up my exact feelings on the band in general. I, of course, knew about them from the Fallen days but that third album is where I really fell in love with them. And I was able to make my way back through their catalog after that. I think it's unfair that Amy has this reputation for being difficult to work with, though. After a certain point, the line-up changes became a non issue -- not nearly as bad as everyone makes them out to be. Three of the guys -- Bassist Tim McCord, drummer Will Hunt and guitarist Troy McLawhorn-- have been in the band since 2006-07 and the guitarist who replaced Ben Moody in 2002 -- Terry Balsamo -- left for health reasons in 2015 and basically retired from music altogether. He wasn't fired and is still friends with the band. Altogether, he was with the band for 12 years. Of course, they just had another shake-up but that line-up lasted 7 years and two albums. As it currently stands. everyone in that band, with the exception of newly hired bassist Emma Anzai, has been there for 15 plus years at this point. Not exactly a revolving door, IMO.

[@ronaldmorgan7632]

I grew up on Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Yes, and host of others. I heard "Bring Me to Life" on the radio and was impressed, but never took the time for any further research. When the pandemic hit, and so many people were at home, I discovered KZbin music reactors. One of them played a song that I'd never heard before, and I was really intrigued. I ended up downloading everything that EV had. Been a huge fan since. They have great vocals and musicianship without the screaming and long and tired solos. Hope she has it in her for another album.

[@MofosOfMetal]

I love these videos from Finn - you can tell on this main channel he doesn't overproduce videos so each one is impassioned and filled with genuine enthusiasm for the topic. Finn NEVER phones a video in. That's what we love about these videos. I always loved Evanescence and thought they got way too much flack from the elitists. I dig extreme metal - but I got super into Fallen when it came out. Gateways > Gatekeeping. Always. Great work!

[@johnbeamon]

I won tickets to a festival around 2005 and saw Evanescence live. Amy Lee is legit. The songs were solid and had the place thumping. I was just broadly impressed at how much more they had to offer than those two singles on the radio all the time.

[@melissadwiggins]

I remember being a 14 and 15-year-old mallrat punk girl who was obsessed with Evanescence. I've always loved to sing and used to be pretty good at it. I remember one night I was singing Evanescence and I was at this coffee shop where a friend of mine's band was playing. This guy came around the corner and heard me singing and told me I sounded like Amy Lee and that they had just gotten off of a tour with him. Turns out it was Joey Culver (R.I.P.) of Atomship, a band local to my area. Of course as a teenage girl I thought it was awesome lol ah The good all days!

[@DragonPrincessAoife]

I seriously respect you for pointing out people's opinions of them, man. I remember when I fell back in love with their work, after not listening to them for over a decade. Synthesis happened to come out about 6 months after I lost my dad, and I rediscovered their work and they got me through the expearience. But when I started talking about them and the album, I'd get eye rolls and chuckles "Wow, they're still around...?" It genuinely kills me.

[@shanab.7881]

Evanescence absolutely got me into goth/symphonic metal. The Open Door single-handedly got me into my goth/emo phase when I was a teenager. It sucks that it’s taken people this long for people to appreciate their music, but better late than never.

[@notyouraveragesouthernmama]

@deanna8217nor has Amy said it is

[@CC-qj6gh]

I'm such a proud mum my 3 year olds favourite song is bring me back to life she gets so excited everytime I put it on for her and sings all the words

[@jessenunez7205]

I can’t listen to My Immortal without tearing up a bit. That song hits my soul every time

[@bkm2797]

Well done, learned a lot about Evanescence and Amy Lee that I did not know, and I totally agree with you.

[@DannyDeathclaw]

Evanescence and MCR are the bands that brought me into the scene when i was a teen in the 2000s :D

[@beepbopbowdownow5897]

My mom listened to her one time and I was an instant fan at like 5/6 begged for my own cd and, she gave me fallen, I cherished it for years lol❤

[@radiogilligan]

I was a DJ here in Little Rock when they blew up. Evanescence really shook the rock world. Because of their rapid success, record labels had a plan to make Little Rock the “new” Seattle. They moved a band out here that was in heavy rotation and talks of moving another out here in hopes that they would be the next big band out of Little Rock. It was wild! Also, the guy that financially backed Origin agreed to press 5,000 copies, but it sold so fast that he kept pressing it. The band had no knowledge of it, but Wind-Up took care of that. 😂

[@Maximus_W]

I’m from Little Rock. Amy Lee is despised by a lot of people in the alt community here. A lot of tattoo artists, musicians, all roll their eyes when I bring up evanescence and mention they are one of my fav bands 😂

[@shawncurrey8653]

Also from Little Rock. Amy Lee sucks as a person. The community hates them cuz they act as if theyre the greatest thing to walk to earth, let alone Arkansas.

[@patrickreichert1442]

Bill Brasky huh. With that name and no pic I am disappointed that your cool story is more than likely, fake

[@missameowica]

That video at Vinos was like OMGGGGGG

[@radiogilligan]

@@missameowica yep, still looks the same and still smells like pizza! 😂

[@solomonicdemons680]

Theater of Tragedy was the only band doing something like this before Evanescence, Tristania and Nightwish started around 1997; but I really think that European Female Fronted Metal really need it that push that evanescence gave to the Genre and I'm glad it happened. Saw Evanescence last year in Newark NJ Prudential Center and it was a really good experience.

[@notyouraveragesouthernmama]

Theater of Tragedy and Anneke deserve their flowers. They are great. It is important to emphasize tho that Theater and Evanescence developed independently from one another. Amy was inspired by Björk, Beth Gibbons, Korn and not Theater, however the success of both bands cannot be underestimated in how important they were for popularizing women leading rock and metal bands.

[@IronWolf277]

The first time i heard Amy Lee singing over rock guitars on the radio, i was like who is this girl? She got the voice of an Angel! I needed to hear more from this Band, bought "Fallen" on CD and i was blow away! Her melodic voice worked well with the Rock genre.

[@kaijinmryu]

Evanescence is my gateway to symphonic metal. Because of them I was able to discover bands like Nightwish, Epica, Lacuna Coil and the likes. They are like a breath of fresh air to the music scene back then something different from what is going on around that time. 🤘😊

[@xxNightmareous]

You’re right, Evanescence did open the doors for me to explore the symphonic metal scene, which I’m a huge fan of now. I wasn’t even into rock or metal when I first heard them, but they got my attention with their dark and haunting sound, and the unique idea back then with a girl in a rock band. Anyway, I’m so glad I found them 20 years ago as I found my passion in music because of them 🖤

[@Beaglegirl19]

I've been a huge fan of Evanescence since Fallen came out. They got me into other female fronted metal bands like Lacuna Coil and Within Temptation. All of their albums including The Bitter Truth and their Pre-Fallen stuff amazingly hold up so well. Yeah, they don't have a lot of stuff to their discography but, they put out quality content.

[@rayanabarros8045]

Finally a video about my all time favorite band ♥ I couldn't be more excited! I really missed Evanescence on the channel, and I hope to see much more about them here ✨

[@NottyGurlStyle]

I Love Evanescence! Amy Lee's voice is truly a masterpiece! I enjoyed all their music.. I just go into a different place when I listen to them. When the band returned with Synthesis and went on tour my friend and I got tickets. I tell you the entire stage was just filled with a full orchestra and Amy and her piano...her voice live... Breathtaking! She's one of the rare artists that doesn't need back track or anything carrying her voice. It's all her and nothing more. I hope they get the love and admiration they deserve.. They are truly one of the greatest bands in my eyes. Amy is truly a gift to music.

[@bkranz-1283]

I can’t get over her voice and she has a beautiful personality to match. Want to go to a concert sometime

[@x_SpookyxBakedxBiscuit_x]

I'm almost 30 and I've loved Ev since I was like 9 or 10. Got their band symbol tattooed around 18-19 and still adore them and Amy to this day 🖤 They were also my first heavier band, then Slipknot.

[@bettinos9929]

Now i want your take on symphonic metal, bands like Nightwish, Within Temptation (touring with evanescence in Europe) and Epica, great video

[@curlofburl]

Those bands are all terrible

[@netherworldofmind7402]

@@curlofburl terrific, the correct word is terrific

[@olgarudina1460]

Origin is my favorite Evanescence album. It hurts every time when I can’t listen to Eternal or Listen to the rain easily on streaming platforms :( thank you for this video. I was that 7th grade girl who played and sang My immortal in the music school and it made me who I am today ❤️

[@carpediemearth]

Origin is not an album, it's a compilation of demos from different years since Amy and Ben started Ev. They packaged it to show it to record labels when they were looking to get signed. And Ben hates pre-Fallen demos.

[@marynikkel]

I LOVE seeing them get some much-deserved recognition. Their actual musical chops have always been far and away beyond peers on the radio waves at the time.

[@knotsandkhaos7382]

I agree with you Finn especially when you said kids in church youth group who were a bit alternative and didn't really fit in. I was that kid like 16 years ago. Evanescence was one of if not the first bands that got me into metal. And now I'm 28 and still a metal head and always will be 🤘

[@syntezjaofficial4240]

Basically Evanescence did something different with their second album than other bands. After gaining success they release an album that was darker and more complicated. The Open Door really showed how good composer and singer is Amy. And on Self-Titled they were probably in their prime with sick drummer Will Hunt, I hope there will be more albums in future because I'm pretty sure they will be amazing.

[@CitizenSniiiips]

This video and your recent one on Korn have been excellent. Some of the best music history related videos I've seen. Feel like you really hit a stride in these Finn, good job!

[@ericmashbuttons]

Thank you so much for making this video Finn! Evanescence is one of my all time favorite bands that I always felt went very unappreciated after the Fallen era. For me, their stuff got way stronger on The Open Door and the 2011 Self-Titled. The Bitter Truth is fantastic too, though it does lack some of the more orchestral elements from their earlier stuff. I’m glad they are getting more recognition and respect now, Amy deserves it

[@squish1e]

Amy has always been my biggest inspiration to keep singing and trying to get my band lined up. She really made me into who I am today, her style, her vocals, and her lyrics. They deserve so much recognition, not the dismissal that's been so commonly directed at Amy Lee because she's a woman.

[@gabe20244]

The Open Door along with Audioslave's self-named album are my top 2 (non-Beatles) favorite albums of all time. I used to listen to them front to back on my way to school, work, etc. Didn't matter where I went, there was a good chance I was listening to them.

[@notyouraveragesouthernmama]

So good to see another Open Door fan.

[@AnonymusFilmmaker]

Finn I gotta say, your videos are really great, you made me look differently at Evanescence and listen to their songs. Thank you!

[@FliffinsOfDoom]

Been a big fan of Evanescence and Amy Lee since their debut. Also got me into Lacuna Coil from there! I was always a metal fan (grew up with brothers who were into some thrash metal and hardcore punk, Metallica was what I requested to fall asleep lol!) and when I discovered this more melodic metal, I was hooked!

[@bigcandy]

My wife got me into this band after we got together and I had no idea how great they were. I always put them off as nu-metal crap but now I can say I was wrong. Also, the self titled album is hands down my favorite and is back to back bangers all the way through.

[@fernandoruiz7713]

I was never really a fan or never really dove into their music, because like everyone else I only knew Bring me to Life from the multitude of memes. This past year I saw them open for Korn and they blew me away, doing an amazing job and even outperformed Korn. Amy joined Korn for their encore and was honestly such an amazing fit with Korn’s music. Their discography is amazing and I believe that their hits definitely make them seem worse then they are, with even their new album being amazing and living up to their classics.

[@sabergater174]

Here's some interesting info about "Bring me to life" apparently the record label wanted Shinoda to do the rap vocals and even called him but he said no, as he put it in a twitch stream "that's not how he works", Also Chester and Amy bumped into each other at a recording studio while Evanescence was recording Fallen and was venting to Chester about the studio's interference on the album including "Bring me to life" Chester advised Amy to not let the studio control the band and fight for their creative freedom. Mike Shinoda confirmed this on a twitch stream a while back on both of these stories

[@isabelmauricio6394]

I was already in my 30s when Fallen came out. Immediately a fan. Definitely in my top 2 favourite groups. Music, lyrics, voice. All amazing.

[@stephanie-eu6tp]

Evanescence was my first ever band. My mother used to play it all the time and I grew up, loving it and as I got older, I realized that I was into metal and other genres, so yeah, this band will always have a special place in my heart.

[@ahmadmusle7]

I won't forget my first time seeing Bring Me to Life in 2003 on tv. I think they were performing it for a late night show. This wasn't even in the US; I went overseas for a year at the time and discovered more American singers than ever.

[@danieltelesost]

Nightwish's Once caught a lot of momentum due to Evanescence sucess, even receiving some MTV plays here in Brazil. Nemo and I Wish I Had a An Angel became fairly mainstream around here, playing right after Linkin Park, MCR, Evanescence, Good Charlotte etc! So it reached a lot of pre-metalheads/goths, even some normies my age know that Nightwish is "that band with the opera girl singer in the snow".

[@FutileGrief]

Can confirm

[@RafitoOoO]

I remember vividly when Nemo debuted into the Top 10 right into the top 3 and I was blown away. A lot of people unironically thought Nightwish was a copy of Evanescence when in fact it was the opposite lmao. I had a friend who was a hardcore Nightwish fan that got actually upset if someone said something like. But I 100% agree with you, After Forever, Epica, Lacuna Coil, Nightwish, etc. all got a huge boost here in Brazil because of Evanescence.

[@FutileGrief]

@@RafitoOoO Evanescence was never a copy of Nightwish, they don't even sound alike. It was because of Ev that many European bands got more attention than they otherwise would have because the world wanted more heavy bands with female singers. It sparked a whole movement

[@carpediemearth]

@@RafitoOoO Evanescence sounds nothing like Nightwish. Nightwish, and the other related European metal bands, are pretty much just one or two related genres. Evanescence came from different musical approaches than Nightwish, and their own influences were not in the realm of Nightwish. Amy was influenced by classical music from her classical background, 90's alternative rock, metal bands like Pantera and Korn, electronic and industrial artists like Bjork, Massive Attack, Nine Inch Nails, choral music from her choral background, and other genres. No one could ever confuse Evanescence and Nightwish, and Nightwish fans (and the fans of their related European metal band) should be grateful to Evanescence and their success back then for paving the way for other symphonic-including and female-led bands to get more attention and influencing more female-fronting bands to form.

[@jojorod]

Esse comentário descreveu minha vida em 2004 😂😂😂 Conheci o Nightwish por causa do Evanescence ❤

[@davidturner2974]

I don't know if you can overstate just how big "Bring Me To Life" was that year upon release. That song was EVERYWHERE! Love Amy Lee and good to see her getting some well-deserved props.

[@lukenoone18]

A little late to the party here, but, evanescence was my first “favorite band”. When I was in first grade in 2004 my family drove from South Carolina to Colorado for Christmas and the only CD my brother brought was Fallen. We listened to it several times and I can safely say it was my gateway as a kid being raised in church. The album still smacks to this day!

[@sawbonesquad4876]

"Bring Me To Life" was one of the first hard rock/metal-ish songs I ever heard as a kid. Great video, will have to give that new album a spin.

[@DaRealBruner]

I remember as a kid hearing this song on literally every KZbin video in 2009. Good times.

[@guitarboyjeff]

The male vocals is Paul Mccoy from 12 Stones, definitely not a rapper.

[@Ash_7701]

Same!!

[@SF2036]

Amy Lee can push out one hell of a powerful melody. She’s more than worthy to claim top tier status among Rock vocalists. One of the best doing it today. Would love to hear her in a duet with Britney Hayes.

[@slowboy1236]

Man… the first album Fallen is a god tier early 2000’s classic and is more than just the song Bring me to life. My immortal is absolutely beautiful!

[@slowboy1236]

@@MrParkerman6 Tf is your problem lol The year is 2022 and they came out in 2003, but I appreciate you not using your fucking brain on a four month old comment bud 👏

[@carpediemearth]

Fallen is very limited and monotone in everything, including vocally, and its one-note radio-pasted guitar replicated throughout. It was also highly overproduced. All of their albums after it are far better and greater sonic fusions.

[@notyouraveragesouthernmama]

@@carpediemearthSad to see an Open Door fan trash Fallen. Fallen is not monotonous in the way you describe. Songs like Imaginary are the perfect encapsulation of Evanescence’s sound and Fallen has tons of hidden gems like My Last Breath. Amy is still the primary songwriter and Fallen is still her brainchild.

[@carpediemearth]

@@notyouraveragesouthernmama Fallen was intervened by the label and it IS monotonous sonically, including the shitty guitar that's the same one monotonous riff across the songs.

[@notyouraveragesouthernmama]

@@carpediemearth The rap in Bring Me to Life and the My Immortal non-band version was. The label didn't manufacture this album. Amy had to fight for the right to even have a non full-time male rapper and had to fight again for the inclusion of real strings. This album is still her brainchild and what you are saying is very discrediting of her contributions and songwriting because she is the primary songwriter of it, not a Max Martin. To say there is guitar the whole time is simply not true, I can name several instances including My Immortal, Hello, Imaginary, bridge to Everybody's Fool etc and plenty of dynamics throughout the album. I hate Ben Moody and this is still Amy's album, periodt. You don't have to like Fallen, as music is subjective, but it is an objective fact Amy wrote the vast, vast majority of Fallen including the bridge of My Immortal, even though it is remembered as Ben's song. It is especially insulting what you have said considering she wrote Hello about her dead sister and never performs it because it means that much to her and that song is MOSTLY PIANO.

[@shiree00]

Soooooooooo under appreciated!

[@RococoAlmanegra]

Always loved Evanescence since their first album came out, great band and fantastic debut! Excellent video Mr. Punk Rock MBA!

[@nitemarestlk]

Evanescence has no bad albums. Some may not be for daily listening but definitely nothing under 3/5 stars . Their live shows have also been incredible for 20 years. I have been to 5 of their tours across 20 years and never left disappointed

[@12ealDealOfficial]

I'm not even an Evanescence fan, but I love and appreciate the band so much. Just hearing 20 seconds of any song makes me deeply miss the mid 00s. Excuse me while I put on a rerun of MTV's Fear and order a pizza.

[@AEtrane]

Why order a pizza, when you can have pizza anytime with Bagel Bites?

[@BethanniVlogs2015]

This was a great video to watch. Evanescence was my favorite band growing up and Amy’s style and presence have had a lasting impact on me well into my 20’s. She will always be legendary to me.

[@thomasharris7881]

When I saw them on their first tour of UK I remember being blown away when they started playing a cover of Zero by the Smashing Pumpkins. They were a lot heavier live than on the records too. Evanescence got me into other goth metal bands like Nightwish and Within Temptation. WT had a single on a MetalHammer comp which got popular so the single show they did at the Hammersmith was completely sold out. I remember talking to a Scottish guy who had spent like 13hours on a coach just to make the show and then had to go back the next morning. Man that is some dedication! Sorry for the long rant. Just some Millennial reminiscing about the early 2000’s what a putz I am lol.

[@JerryLantz]

I remember hearing them back in high school. It was so much different than anything I listened to, as I was really into grunge at the time. Their songs were so haunting and I loved it. Amy Lee did a song with Bring Me the Horizon a couple years and it keeps that style. Very melodic and beautiful.

[@Monicalia]

I became a fan in 2003 and I am so happy to say it is one of the very few bands that musically never let me down. There isn't a song in their discography that I don't like.

[@guilhermepinheiro5342]

16:54 Lacuna Coil already was a solid gothic metal band in their masterpiece third album "Comalies" (2002) - a whole year before Evanescence's debut Fallen (2003)

[@lexidarling]

One other important indirect contribution that Evanescence made to our culture was inspiring the fanfic My Immortal, the greatest work of internet literature ever made. For real though, Evanescence came around during my freshman year of high school when I was into all things dark and brooding and my friend group was made up of mall goth kids, so when their debut came out it was instantly captivating. At the time I had never heard that style of vocals over heavy rock music before, and it's a good point that they had such a different energy than aggro stuff like Slipknot or Limp Bizkit.

[@sawyerlachance1300]

I don't exaggerate when I say My Immortal is the funniest thing I've ever read.

[@adamtrammel6525]

Enjoyed the video. My wife and I saw them when fallen blew up. Great singer and overall great band. I'll have to revisit their catalog.

[@agitatedhugtime]

You always make such cohesive and concise points. I wish I could podcast with you and just pick your brain for an hour

[@aLostShinobi]

The first album I ever got was Fallen on CD, I'll never forget going through the booklet on the ride home.

[@mysticmelody]

Evanescence deserve way more. They are an amazing band. And Amy needs to know that she IS good enough for the metal scene. Period.

[@notyouraveragesouthernmama]

Good Enough, just like her song 💙 I like how she doesn’t shy from being melodic and emotional in her music.