The Open Door / Evanescence (2006)

1. Sweet Sacrifice

2. Call Me When You're Sober

3. Weight Of The World

4. Lithium

5. Cloud Nine

6. Snow White Queen

7. Lacrymosa

8. Like You

9. Lose Control

10. The Only One

11. Your Star

12. All That I'm Living For

13. Good Enough

14. Call Me When You're Sober (Acoustic Version)

The first album was full of surprise. Melancholy melody, symphonic arrangement, heavy sound, everything was really fresh for me. I just could not imagine that any American band would play this kind of music. The melodies that Amy Lee sang somehow reminded me of some European music. Despite of their great success, the band lost Ben Moody who was one of the main composers of the band. They continued touring with the joint of Terry Balsamo. "Anywhere But Home" was released. It showed that how the band was shaped up during the long tour. However, I did not think Terry was as skillful as Ben when I watched the DVD, so I started having some concerns regarding their next album.

My conclusion after listening to the album was that the identity of this band was Amy Lee. She creates music, mood, and the world of Evanescence. This is another high quality album. This is very heavy, melodious, and moving. The melodies she makes is sometimes sad, sometimes intense, and beautiful. Regarding of guitar play, I still have to say that I like Ben Moody better. His riffs were very unique, and lead guitars were very cool. Nevertheless, Terry and John LeCompt also did wonderful job on the record. I guess it is just my preference. If you liked their first album, you would love this album as well.

Eventually, all of the original band members left after this album. Sadly, Amy truly proved that she is the core of this band in this album.

☆☆☆☆

Fallen / Evanescence (2003)

1. Going Under

2. Bring Me To Life

3. Everybody's Fool

4. My Immortal

5. Haunted

6. Tourniquet

7. Imaginary

8. Taking Over Me

9. Hello

10. My Last Breath

11. Whisper

12. Farther Away (Bonus Track)

Year 2003 was a good harvest of rock albums. It is really hard to say which one of them was the best album of 2003. However, I can say which one of them was the most shocking and sensational album of the year for me. This record had the biggest impact in that year. There were several reasons for it. The first reason is the quality of melodies in this album. It is really dark yet very dramatic and moving. The second reason was that this band was from America, and the last reason was that the album became a huge hit in America.

The music is comparable with some European bands. Each song has dramatic arrangement. Melody is sad, longing, and very moving. It has some common essence with symphonic metal bands. I never thought that this kind of music would be so big in America. From the first song, the band shows its own unique world. It has power to attract listeners immediately and never let go. Track 2 was used as a soundtrack for the movie "Daredevil". Two ballads are really moving, and track 4 became a huge hit on radio. Nevertheless, I personally the best track in this album is track 7. This track is very progressive yet not complicated. The arrangement is very dramatic and modulated. 

Amy Lee's voice is very clear and powerful. Ben's riffs have strong edge. They were both great composers. The album did not let me go until the very last song. It is really hard to believe that this album is their major debut album.

☆☆☆☆☆