The longstanding anticipation will finally pay off, as Evanescence‘s first album of original music in a decade is on the horizon. The band’s distinctive sound has made waves on an entire generation in the rock genre. Not only that, but the band served as a pivotal resurgence for female vocalists in rock and metal.
The Bitter Truth also comes at a pivotal time in history, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but there are hopes and plans of a tour once the world returns to some normality. The album is notably guitar driven, delivering on some phenomenal tracks which also shed light on some of the harsh realities of the century.
In a recent press event, which predominantly featured frontwoman Amy Lee and Troy McLawhorn, we were given some insight into the makings of the album.
Firstly, with such a strong title, The Bitter Truth naturally infers harsh realities and brutal honestly. For Evanescence, it runs deeper than that.
Lee said of the album’s title: “Life is short. Like it or not. And the choice for me is not wasting any more time. So that’s part of the reason that we’re here doing what we’re doing.”
She went on to explain about why the band are choosing to release the album now, in the current climate: “Who knows if we have tomorrow, it’s more important to us to have it out there now. And I think that there’s, this real positivity that can be taken away from that truth. You know, that time is precious and we’re not here forever. And we need to just like seize the day, on a bigger level.
“We first have to accept the truth about what’s happening now in all the things that are messed up around us, they won’t fix if we just like hit the snooze button and wait for it to pass over.”
In terms of the album’s sound, it stays true to Evanescence‘s core, but there are certainly new elements and influences coming into play.
Of The Bitter Truth‘s sound, Lee commented: “I’ve seen people picking up on a little bit of there’s this sort of grunge or alternative whatever thing that’s in there. That’s just real. That’s just from like my old influences, like that’s a part of something that I’ve always loved, big time inspired by the 90s grunge rock scene.”
Sticking with the The Bitter Truth‘s sound and messages, Use My Voice was released as the third single from the album and reinforced the rise of women in rock. The track features guest vocals from Within Temptation‘s Sharon den Adel, The Pretty Reckless‘ Taylor Momsen, Halestorm‘s Lzzy Hale, and violinist Lindsey Stirling.
“Use My Voice for me was about calling all my sisters, calling my girlfriends, and I wanted to feel the reality of what sisterhood means and that support and how much stronger we are when we’re together,” Lee explained. “I have the special privilege of having not only a bunch of really cool strong women in my life, but also some world renowned, amazing singers too.”
The Bitter Truth is an interesting one, as Evanescence go more personal than ever before with tracks like Far From Heaven, which the band communicates on an intimate and emotional level.
Lee said of Far From Heaven: “I hesitated before finishing it. It was hard to write those words…If you can create something good out of something bad, it makes it have a purpose in your life. And it feels like hope for the next step, for the next place, that’s the only way we’re going to get to a better place, by first accepting where we are now.”
Naturally, Evanescence have undergone huge changes since their last album of original tracks ten years ago. The line-up has changed and the band’s families have grown.
As a touching insight into the behind the scenes of the making of the album, especially the challenging parts, Lee spoke about her son Jack: “He is the joy in my life. Having that redirection, that centre of like, oh yeah. Like if everything else in the world falls apart, like you’re the best part anyway, having that kind of a centre is awesome. Super grounding. I’ve never fallen so low that I can’t get out of it for days at a time or anything like that. Jack’s there, you know?”
Evanescence‘s new album The Bitter Truth takes twists and turns for a sound that feels matured, nostalgic, and like the taste of something new.
Written by: Holly Hammond
Evanescence‘s new album The Bitter Truth is due for release on 26th March 2021 via Sony Music available to pre-order in a variety of formats HERE.
Evanescence will be taking their Worlds Collide tour across Europe in 2021 with Within Temptation, see them live at one of the following dates:
September 2021
Wed 8th – ZURICH, CH – Hallenstadion Zurich
Thu 9th – MILAN, IT – Mediolanum Forum Milan
Sat 11th – BERLIN, DE – Velodrom
Sun 12th – GLIWICE, PL – Arena Gliwice
Tue 14th – LEIPZIG, DE – Quarterback Immobilien Arena
Wed 15th – HAMBURG, DE – Barclaycard Arena
Fri 17th – AMSTERDAM, NL – Ziggo Dome
Sat 18th – AMSTERDAM, NL – Ziggo Dome
Mon 20th – PARIS, FR – Accorhotels Arena
Tue 21st – DÜSSELDORF, DE – Mitsubishi Electric Halle
Wed 22nd – MUNICH, DE – Zenith
Fri 24th – ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE, LU – Rockhal
Sun 26th – FRANKFURT, DE – Festhalle
Mon 27th – BRUSSELS, BE – Palais 12
Tue 28th – BRUSSELS, BE – Palais 12
Thu 30th – GLASGOW, UK – The SSE Hydro Arena
October 2021
Fri 1st – LEEDS, UK – First Direct Arena
Sun 3rd – BIRMINGHAM, UK – Utilita Arena Birmingham
Mon 4th – LONDON, UK – The O2
Thu 7th – MADRID, ES – Palacio Vistalegre*
*Evanescence only
