Evanescence

Photo: Andreas Lawen [Fotandi] / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

CountryUnited States
Formed1994
StatusActive
GenreAlternative metal, Gothic rock
LabelBMG

Evanescence are the Little Rock band who took gothic-tinged alternative metal into the mainstream with Fallen and its hit “Bring Me to Life”, built around Amy Lee’s voice and piano. Active for more than three decades, they have released six studio albums, most recently Sanctuary in 2026.

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Evanescence began in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1994, after singer and pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody met as teenagers at a youth camp. The pair tried out names such as Childish Intentions and Stricken before choosing Evanescence, a word meaning a fading away.

Their debut album Fallen came out on 4 March 2003 through Wind-up Records and became a worldwide phenomenon, selling more than 17 million copies. “Bring Me to Life” won the Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance, and the band also took Best New Artist in 2004. Moody had already walked out during the European tour in October 2003, and Terry Balsamo took his place.

The Open Door followed in 2006 and the self-titled Evanescence in 2011, with a settled line-up forming around Lee, guitarist Troy McLawhorn, bassist Tim McCord and drummer Will Hunt. After a long break, the band returned with Synthesis in 2017 and The Bitter Truth in 2021. In 2022 former Sick Puppies bassist Emma Anzai joined, which let McCord move back to guitar.

The single “Afterlife”, written for Netflix’s Devil May Cry series, came out in 2025, and the lead single “Who Will You Follow” arrived in April 2026. The sixth studio album, Sanctuary, was released on 5 June 2026 through BMG, and the band began a world tour with Spiritbox and Nova Twins on the bill.

Current line-up: Amy Lee (vocals, keyboards), Troy McLawhorn (guitar), Tim McCord (guitar), Emma Anzai (bass), Will Hunt (drums).