Sounding better than ever, Evanescence’s Amy Lee commanded the stage as the the band played at Philadelphia’s Electric Factory on Oct. 10.
Breaking into The Open Door opener “Sweet Sacrifice,” Lee began a barrage of near-perfect renditions of new tracks mixed with Fallen favorites, never missing a beat.
The Open Door’s tracks worked well live, especially “Weight of the World” and “The Other One” with their driving bass lines. A piano only rendition of “Good Enough” provided a jaw-dropping moment that had Lee’s lyrics coming to life with an emotional, warm delivery.
Warm is a good way to describe Lee’s voice throughout the night. While at other times she’s sounded gravelly and raw, certainly due to the demands of the material, her voice sounded more pure this time, with almost note for note matches of the album. I’d have considered she lip synced if not for one or two off-key moments that grounded the performance in the live setting.
Fallen favorites “Bring Me to Life,” “Going Under” and “Haunted” came over well, with the fans singing along loudly. At times the crowd sang over Lee in “My Immortal” which one gets the impression is not one of her favorites to sing. That she still sings it after former cowriter and Evanescence guitarist Ben Moody left shows she understands the importance of it to the fans.
While the band played 14 songs, the set seemed over too quickly, mostly because many of The Open Door’s tracks are shorter. Surprisingly, the band didn’t play “Snow White Queen,” a track it has played during other shows. Nor did the band add any surprises, like it did with non-album tracks “Farther Away” and “Missing” on its last tour.
Guitarist Terry Balsamo (who had a stroke last year), drummer Rocky Grey, guitarist John LeCompt and bassist Tim McCord (replacing the departed Will Boyd) provided a dose of energy, giving the material a heavier, more raw feel.
After such a tumultuous beginning after it released debut Fallen, it was unclear if Evanescence could keep the momentum going. But with its second album debuting at number one on the charts and a successful tour, during which the band sounds better than ever, there’s no doubt it can and will.
November 12th, 2007 at 2:03 am
I’ve been a fan of Evanescence from the “Fallen” album. I won tickets and a meet and greet from star 98.7. I was so excited to be able to meet Amy Lee. I got there with my partner in front of the concession stand where all the fans were in this line as if to meet the Queen of England. We where all very confused and didn’t understand what was going on. Amy Lee comes out after her body guard made us feel like we were in prison by telling us we better stay in line and only one photo can be taken in pairs of two. By then i was already disgusted. So Amy Lee just went down the line not even looking at her fans and signed her name. No “hello” or even a glance in the eye. I came with a gift in a pink bag and she didn’t even say “hello” to me or even look at me. Nope she just waved off the gift to her body guard and off it went. So really i was the idiot for even thinking she was half of a decent person. She barely signed her name. She is so up herself i can not believe it. I’ve met many MORE famous people then her and they never have treated there fans like that. When i went to get my photo taken i tried to just tell her about the gift i gave her and she cut me off saying, “yeah, i’ll get it back stage. No thank you even. At this point i was ready to leave because she is so disgusting. Rumors was she was horrible, but i never listen to them. Well, that rumor was right.
As for the concert it had no personality and the twit can not sing at all!. I was so bored, if it wasn’t for stack parking i would have left. The first song her voice already went out. She needs to check her head and see herself for what she is. A poser hippy snob, who thinks she is the Queen. Yes, the Queen Ass.
If you liked the show i suggest you get out more.
November 12th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Well, I went to a meet and greet with her in Santa Barbara…and the whole line thing was so that everyone didn’t mob her all at once, because I am sure that has happened to her before. I even heard someone ripped her hair out…
She was super nice! I gave her a CD I made and a letter and she was like “Oh, is this you singing?” I said yes..and she looked so excited to listen to it, smiled and said thank you sooo much!
Then when pictures came she was super nice and gave me a hug…
The concert was awesome! She sang every song so good, especially considering she was head banging and singing…that is crazy!
The only song I wish she would have sang better was My Immortal. She didnt even want to sing it, and when she finally did, it was so fast and emotionless..but I know she doesnt like that song anyway.
Overall, she was really sweet…I cant wait for a her Trilogy CD.
July 14th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Good job!