Reviews
2003-09-17
I guess that it was just a question of time until Evanescence got their break. With that amount of talent and no reluctance to go mainstream it was more or less a sure thing. “Fallen” is something in the lines of Lacuna Coil or Within Temptation gone new-breed.
Amy Lee’s voice draws, of course, the center of attention. The way she strains herself, Lee really shouts with extreme emotion much like Skunk Anansie only in a much darker
Powerful atmosphere.
No doubt, Evanescence have learned a lot since their E.P days and under the patronage of producer Dave Fortman the debut album got sound and style that usually takes years for bands to achieve. Haunting choruses with touching, super melodic backing vocals make almost each and every track a potential hit.
The combination of Ben Moody and John LeCompt new-breed heavy distortion guitars and the excellent strings emulators creates a dramatic effect with an overwhelming magnitude.
There are 3 mega-hits in the album:
- The well known “bring me to life” - starts with a simple piano tune and crash in with the power cords, Paul McCoy of 12 stones is doing parts at the chorus and a duet rap part with Amy.
- The opening track “going under” got one of the most powerful-beautiful chorus I’ve ever had plus the usual dramatic strings arrangement and a driving guitar solo.
- “Tourniquet” got this classic heavy metal riff and a c-part with haunting vocals. Much like Tori Amos (and probably because of Tori Amos) Amy likes to do her own backing vocals and builds
Fucking amazing harmonies as well.
“Fallen” is not just an album for teenage nu-metal fans. Amy Lee is an incredible singer and the Ben Moody is an excellent songwriter. The combination of the can be paralyzing at some of the songs.
Tal Galfsky
