Evanescence-The Open Door

[Stephen]

Ok. Picked this album up today. I must admit, when I heard the first single off of the new album...I was a bit worried. Call me when you're sober was ok. But after waiting a few years for new Evanescence music...I guess I am a greedy fan. I wanted better then ok. I can say quite honestly that that song is pretty well unique. The rest of the album is a great step in the right direction for the band. I will even be as bold as to say it is a better album then Fallen. It is pretty clear early on that Terry Balsamo (former Cold guitarist) is much better on guitars then Ben Moody was. Nothing to worry about content wise either. (for those worried) It is a clean album. As far as sound goes Amy Lee's great vocals still impress me. The girl is quite talented. Many bands exist right now...with cruddy singers...but Amy's vocals are as good as ever. The album ends on a high note, and a pretty happy song. (for those who say the band is too dark) All and all, a good album release.

4/5

[beau99]

You're right, it's much better than Fallen.

[LostChild]

Yeah, I preordered the album for my bf. He called me yesterday, "I'm so waiting for the UPS guy to show up with the cd my stinkin' awesome gf preordered for me... But its not here yet..." So, I guess you could say he's really looking forward to it, huh? I am glad to hear from ya'll that its a great album to add to one's collection. I'm gonna go get it for me in the next week or so (when I get the money for it).

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I was going to buy it this week, but then I remembered I had saved up for the last two seasons of The Pretender on dvd. Will have to wait another fortnight.
But it should be awesome!

[GhostontheNet]

Is it better than Origin and is she going in a more gothic rock direction again? Sure, they say the band never was a gothic band, but then, half of the original founders of gothic rock say their bands are not gothic bands (i.e. The Sisters of Mercy, Siouxsie and the Banshees, etc.).

[Stephen]

I thought Fallen was better then Origin. To be honest anyway. But yes, I think the new album is the best thus far. As far as goth sound...yeah..its there. Think Fallen, with better guitars. Basicly.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I loved Fallen and then I heard Origin. Origin has lots of great songs, but so does Fallen. Hopefully this one is even better. Better guitars? Awesome!

[beau99]

Compared to Origin, Fallen is awful.

The Open Door is a return to the Origin sound, I think.


Oh, and they're not goth.

[GhostontheNet]

Oh, and they're not goth.

Sure, they say the band never was a gothic band, but then, half of the original founders of gothic rock say their bands are not gothic bands (i.e. The Sisters of Mercy, Siouxsie and the Banshees, etc.).

[Scarecrow]

I just picked it up from the store like 10mins ago (literally got it 3 mins before closing ) Tried to get the new Skillet album as well but couldnt find it in time. Anyway, havent gotten a chance to listen to it yet, still ripping the songs to my computer.

Origin was originally my favorite of theirs but that may be just because I had played the other one a thousand times before I ever heard origin so it just sounded better cause it was "new". As of now it just depends on what mood I'm in cause they're both pretty differnt albums... so it changes.

Ok my CD is done ripping... lets see... *listens* Well... I like it. It is a lot different then the last one thats for sure... I'm still not that crazy about a Call me when you're sober but I like the rest I'm hearing I dunno if I like it better than their other albums but obviously I'll have to listen to it better. I'm kinda jumping around right now (production wise and stuff, yes it is better but I just kind of liked the songs better on the other albums. Guitars are much better though, thats obvious). And really, I think its different than both Origin and Fallen and doesnt resemble either one as far as sound. I mean some sound similar to past stuff but I think its pretty much its own sound.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

That's always good, I enjoy variety if done well. I've found that the cds that make more of a lasting impression on me (the ones I enjoy more) are often the ones I dislike at first or just find okay. I give them a few spins on the CD Player and more often than not I start to like them and even love them. That's what happened with Origin and P.O.D's 'Snuff the Punk' and 'Brown' amongst others.

[Stephen]

It has been a while since I tossed Origin in and gave it a listen. I will have to know to see what all the talk is about. Why do you guys like Origin more then Fallen? As I said, it has been a while since I listened to it...but if I recall...Origin was just a stripped down sounding album. (Which may be why some of you prefer it) I like the polished sound that Fallen had. But I am curious, why the love for Origin?

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I don't know. I guess I had played Fallen through about a million times before I got Origin. That's one factor. I love the polished feel cds have but there was something about Origin's I enjoyed more (maybe hearing the 'roots').
Personally I find them both great and probably about the same but Origin has that rawness that Fallen lacks a bit. I don't really know Ark.
Sorry mate.

[beau99]

It has been a while since I tossed Origin in and gave it a listen. I will have to know to see what all the talk is about. Why do you guys like Origin more then Fallen? As I said, it has been a while since I listened to it...but if I recall...Origin was just a stripped down sounding album. (Which may be why some of you prefer it) I like the polished sound that Fallen had. But I am curious, why the love for Origin?

Simply put, Origin is raw.

Fallen is too produced. The drums lack (which is too bad because even though Rocky isn't on the album, they got the very talented Josh Freese to do it), the bass is muted, and the guitars sound like a constant chainsaw with no variety.

[beau99]

Sure, they say the band never was a gothic band, but then, half of the original founders of gothic rock say their bands are not gothic bands (i.e. The Sisters of Mercy, Siouxsie and the Banshees, etc.).

But THEY'RE NOT GOTH.

Amy Lee hates goth music and doesn't like being called 'goth'. Deal with it.

[Stephen]

Guitars being poo on Fallen I can pretty much agree with. Then agian, I don't like Ben Moody.

[Cognitive Gear]

Does it really matter if they're goth or not?

Anyways, I wasn't sure if I'd be picking this up; as I wasn't particularly impressed with Call me When you're sober. However, from the general concenus here, I think I'll be picking it up today.

[GhostontheNet]

But THEY'RE NOT GOTH.

Amy Lee hates goth music and doesn't like being called 'goth'. Deal with it.

Its not my fault if you think you can simply sidestep everything I said on the exact same subject Once more, I noted neither The Sisters of Mercy or Siouxsie and the Banshees would consider themselves or their bands to be gothic, but a good deal of their music employed the gothic musical forms which in turn set a defining point for the genre. So too, ever since Origin, Evanescence has made the kind of ethereal vocal singing about dark or painful themes which are the defining point of gothic music. Similarly, its patently obvious to those familiar with Gothic, Industrial, and Darkwave genres that they had a definite familiariy with all three which affected things like their synthesizer work. In the case of Evanescence, similarly they have favored a visual aesthetic influenced by the gothic subculture. So, to use the old formula "If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, its a duck", so too:

Ethereal Vocal
+
Dark and Painful Musical Themes (both of these being musical aesthetic)
+
Visual Aesthetic
=
Gothic

Now, my own conjecture is that in spite of this, the purpose of the "We're not gothic" is generated by a refusal to be connected with "the scene", particularly with its very intense taboo on going mainstream and making the musical compromises needed to go mainstream, which is the greatest blasphemy to the underground - indeed, a good number of goths despise Evanescence for this reason.

[Cognitive Gear]

Now, my own conjecture is that in spite of this, the purpose of the "We're not gothic" is generated by a refusal to be connected with "the scene", particularly with its very intense taboo on going mainstream and making the musical compromises needed to go mainstream, which is the greatest blasphemy to the underground - indeed, a good number of goths despise Evanescence for this reason.

This I agree with. It seems that slapping the "gothic" label on something automatically alienates it from norms. I suppose that in this sense, it does matter.

So the real question is: what makes you part of a group? When you claim to be a part of it or when that group claims that you are a part of it? (although the goths who hate them probably wouldn't make claims to them)

Regardless, I'm sure that we can all agree that they they have, at the very least, been severely influenced by the goth culture. That makes me wonder if they admit to it....

[Stephen]

There will always be leanings that a band has. I think Evanescence does have a gothic feel...Amy Lee can say all she wants about it not being gothic...but it is. I however, could care less what people say they are. Or what the band say they are. I really enjoy there music...and for all I care....they could be labled polka.

[beau99]

Evanescense is even less goth than Lacuna Coil, who aren't goth despite being labeled as such.

That's my final post on this subject. Disagree if you wish, but what I'm saying is true.

[Stephen]

Disagree if you wish, but what I'm saying is true.

No, it is your opinion. Just like I stated mine, and others have stated theres. If it was fact, there would be no arguement on the issue. A great quote to show how many different styles they fit into...I pull a Nate, and quote Wikipedia.


Taken from Wikipedia.com.

Although usually categorized as rock, Evanescence does not easily fit into any one rock subcategory. The band are sometimes labeled by media sources as, and take influences from, gothic metal, alternative rock, nu metal, piano rock, arena rock, and wagnerian rock (the latter especially in the group's videos).

[beau99]

EDIT:

See post below.

[beau99]

Whatever.

Just because they take small influences from something doesn't mean they're actually that. All I know is that Amy is heavy into Bjork and similar artists.

[Stephen]

That's my final post on this subject.

LIAR! *laughs* You dear sir are entitled to your opinion, and I would fight to keep that as such.

[Azier the Swordsman]

FINALLY got my copy today. And as I listen to it for the first time while typing this, I think this disc is going to be spinning in my CD player a lot for the next few months.

[GhostontheNet]

This I agree with. It seems that slapping the "gothic" label on something automatically alienates it from norms. I suppose that in this sense, it does matter.

This is true. Sadly, if I were to try posting a thread about Clan of Xymox or Faith and the Muse, it would quickly die out. Unfortunately, the Goths and Gothic music holds such a degree of demonization in people's minds that if they hear Gothic music, they will deny it is in fact Gothic music, mutually thinking with the mallgoths that Alice Cooper version 30.0 is in fact Gothic music.

So the real question is: what makes you part of a group?

Minimally: Participation in the subcultural trappings of the group.
Maximally: Direct participation in subcultural events alongside other members.

And of course, there are medians between the two, with, say, me and the Sisters of Mercy lying somewhere between these two. As far as music making and musical styles go however, that's an entirely different issue.

When you claim to be a part of it or when that group claims that you are a part of it? (although the goths who hate them probably wouldn't make claims to them)

Well, judging by the posts over at one Gothic forum, Evanescene is very often percieved as a band who has simply callously exploited both fledgling goths (usually refered to as baby bats) and Christians for profit while caring nothing for either. I know the truth is more subtle, but I will return to this before the end.

Regardless, I'm sure that we can all agree that they they have, at the very least, been severely influenced by the goth culture. That makes me wonder if they admit to it....

Not a chance, if they would betray the Lord at the decisive time by simply stating that they are not a Christian band (i.e. a part of the CCM subculture) without qualifying that they still believe in Christ, as evident from Automata magazine, not admiting their old ties to the gothic scene is nothing when it comes to filthy lucre. Unlike many of the Christian gothic bands, they have in the course of their career come to only serve to increase the resentment of Christian belief, furthering the burning of bridges between the two. Evanescence is one of those bands whom I have had resentment grow, but who I always hope comes to change for the better.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I don't know. Maybe they are goth, maybe not. I'm not really fussed I just enjoy them.
As for whether they are Christian or not, its between them and God. But I definetly get strong Christian meaning and honest spiritual lyrics from Origin and Fallen. (Need more Christian music that honest).

[GhostontheNet]

I don't know. Maybe they are goth, maybe not. I'm not really fussed I just enjoy them.
As for whether they are Christian or not, its between them and God. But I definetly get strong Christian meaning and honest spiritual lyrics from Origin and Fallen. (Need more Christian music that honest).

It is between them and God, but I am aware of strong evidence, namely very early evidence that they do in fact hold Christian beliefs. So too, Yeshua called us to testify to being his when called upon concerning him, with their handling of the situation failing quite dismally in this, which is vastly more important than the question of goth/nongoth and undergrund vs. mainstream. By the way, from my vantage point as a broadcaster of Gothic and Industrial music including the works of Christians, such lyrical honesty is quite typical in these forms.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Yes, denying that your a Christian isn't exactly kosher.