| Evanescence Live at San Jose State Event Center |
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Contributed By: Maniac Racing
Created On: Wednesday, 14 November 2007 Hits: 324  Evanescence Sure, there are other female vocalists who can belt it out, others who can deliver beautiful piano ballads, and there are plenty of metal bands, but there’s no other act that puts all three elements together like Evanescence. Throughout its history, rock and roll has never had a plentiful supply of female artists who really rock, so someone like Amy Lee really stands out when she comes along. Touring in support of the band’s second album, The Open Door, Evanescence hits the stage as a finely tuned musical machine with the first three songs showcasing Open Door. Opener “Lose Control” sets the tone for the evening as Lee takes center stage in a tight black tanktop and magenta feathery skirt that symbolizes her unique blend of beauty and darkness. As she sings “Just once in my life/I think it’d be nice/just to lose control -- just once/with all the pretty flowers in the dust,” the band’s twin guitar attack and psychedelic light show explodes behind her while the crowd on the floor begins to lose control as it surges toward the stage. The rare mixture of such strong female vocals with such a dynamic guitar-based musical attack has a sonic effect that is truly intoxicating. “Going Under,” from the band’s first album Fallen, keeps the momentum going with a sound that alternates between full-throttle nu-metal rock and quieter segments that give Lee’s voice a chance to shine with varied dynamics. A sizzling lead guitar break pumps the energy higher before returning back to the chorus, the first of many such impressive solos throughout the night. Lee sits down at a piano and introduces the next song, “Missing,” as one being played for the first time on the tour by special request from a hardcore fan. The guitarists switch to acoustics and the drum sound is dialed down to create the effect of performing a demo track. It’s an interesting sonic experiment that conjures an intimate vibe, as if the listener is a fly on the wall in Lee’s living room or garage. The band follows with “Lithium,” another showcase for Lee’s piano skills and power-ballad vocals. When Lee sings, “Anything is better than to be alone / And in the end I guess I had to fall / Always find my place among the ashes,” she projects a certain sorrow, but also a compelling inner strength. That mixture of vulnerable intimacy combined with personal strength is a key aspect of what makes Lee such a unique performer, and the crowd eats up every moment. The band gets back to rocking with “Whisper,” which features a distinctly “Kashmir”-ish chord progression and puts Led Zeppelin’s mightiest riff to masterful new service as Lee’s voice soars with the hammer of the gods. The energy level is off the charts, and the crowd roars its approval at the conclusion. Evanescence then rides that energy right into Open Door’s first single, “Call Me When You’re Sober,” Lee’s cathartic ode to an ex-lover unable to put their relationship above his addictions. The song is a showcase for Lee’s diverse skills as she starts off on keyboards for the quiet intro, then goes center stage into full rock-fury mode as the band delivers the song’s driving verses and chorus, only to return to the keys for a diva-like bridge section before the song explodes once again. The vocal range and musical dynamics demonstrated in the song are a remarkable testament to Lee’s singular talents. The lyrical content of the song also helps explain why Lee has become a de facto role model for so many, from the 10-year old girls present to their teenage sisters and Gen-X mothers. Lee’s wide-ranging talent and charismatic persona are such that she attracts a diverse crowd, from pre-pubescent girls to college kids and standard metalheads. “Bring Me to Life,” the breakthrough smash hit from Fallen that catalyzed the band’s multi-platinum success in 2003, brings the house down once again. No one in the band tries to replicate the male vocal part from the recording, but it doesn’t matter; Lee belts the song out with enough urgency to cover the difference. The live version goes to another level as the band delivers the dynamic groove in the chorus with extra oomph and jams it out with a compelling attack. Most young bands would save such a powerful hit for the end of the set, but Evanescence is still going strong as they follow with “All That I’m Living For,” another dynamic rocker from The Open Door. Lee’s voice doesn’t lose a thing as the show progresses, further demonstration of her talent and dedication. When Lee sits back down at the piano for the hit ballad “My Immortal,” one fan lets out a shriek that is closer to a feral growl of excitement, and many of the female fans in attendance sing along. The band exits the stage to a roaring ovation, but returns for a two-song encore. The final song of the night, “Your Star,” is also one of the best. Lee starts at the piano for a quiet intro, and the band then slowly starts to fill in as the stinging guitars take the song higher. The band drops back out in the middle as Lee delivers a classical piano break, only for the band to re-enter once again as the song surges with full power. Gregorian-style backing vocals conjure a deeper vibe as Lee cuts loose one last time. The show is a total triumph, leaving one to wonder what could possibly have possessed Lee’s original guitarist and co-writer Ben Moody to have left the band during the European tour for Fallen in 2004. Lee’s star is burning bright, and despite their name, Evanescence doesn’t look like it will be disappearing any time soon. Share this article to:       
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