Discounting 2017’s Synthesis, which was a collection of existing tracks reworked to add orchestral and electronic elements and featured just two new songs, The Bitter Truth marks Evanescence’s first proper studio album in a decade. That’s a long time for fans to have waited to hear more from lead singer Amy Lee and co.

The trajectory of Evanescence’s career has always been an odd one, though. Their debut album Fallen was one of the best-selling albums of the 21st century, a brilliant amalgamation of nu metal and pop that spawned the runaway hit single Bring Me To Life and made the band one of the biggest bands in the world almost overnight.

That’s a tricky act to follow for anyone. Their second album The Open Door, which was released in 2006, was a commercial success, but deviated from the sound of Fallen. It took a further five years for a third album to arrive, with the band’s lineup changing noticeably during the period. Disputes with record labels, spells of hiatus, and further personnel changes all followed, and it seemed for a while like Evanescence might never return.

But return they have, with The Bitter Truth, a twelve-track whirlwind of a record that makes the last ten years fade away. Tellingly, the first thing that hits you is the power of Lee’s voice, always the band’s calling card, it’s lost none of its incredible power. After the ghostly intro of Artifact / The Turn, the drums of Broken Pieces Shine hit like a gut punch, and there it is, the tone and feel of a voice that is instantly recognisable. 

The Game Is Over is a soaring beast, with glorious tempo changes and a big chorus, while Feeding The Dark and Better Without You are similarly huge, layering big guitars with industrial nu metal elements. But there’s softer moments too, most notably on the poignant Far From Heaven, a hard-hitting piano ballad that sees Lee sing “One more night / What I wouldn't give to be with you / For one more night”. She recently revealed in an interview with Kerrang! magazine that the song is about her late brother Robby.

The Bitter Truth is a record that succeeds in recapturing the magic of a band who hit their commercial peak almost twenty years ago. It’s nostalgic, but it’s also very forward thinking, highlighting that, despite all the ups and downs they’ve been through, Evanescence have lost none of their gusto.

The Bitter Truth tracklist:

1. Artifact / The Turn
2. Broken Pieces Shine
3. The Game Is Over
4. Yeah Right
5. Feeding The Dark
6. Wasted On You
7. Better Without You
8. Use My Voice
9. Take Cover
10. Farm From Heaven
11. Part Of Me
12. Blind Relief

Watch the official video for Use My Voice here.

Author: Joe Sharratt

Joe Sharratt is a writer and journalist based in the UK covering music, literature, sport, and travel.