Live Review: Evanescence
Celebrating 20 years of Fallen at The Red Hill Auditorium, Perth on 2nd of September 2023
Review by Sheldon Ang
Photography by Sheldon Ang Photography
The spine-tingling synth drizzle in poetic trance, layered by a haunting soprano, casting the ethereal charm across the forest. One by one they step into the twilight, splashed in blue hues and darkness on ground zero. The cacophony from the embracing fans punctuate the mood, followed by the sonic wave of pummeling drums like the call of the wild, igniting the thunderous reverberation in a final charge towards 2003. The leader then let herself fall apart, accepting her flaws and embracing them – translating into superpowers as her harmonising spirit stretches to the upper reaches of the human mezzo soprano range. Her frock of hair whips the air as fans fuel the queen of goth rock with a thunderous roar, adding a visual sensation to the audio spell. Heavens open for the second time tonight, temperature plunges, as fans are drenched in the nostalgic rain of the new millennium. Mascara warped. The anthem of millennium’s dawn returns to Perth.
‘It is a song about the pain and beauty of survival, the wisdom from suffering, the face that can be found in the acceptance of what it is…” said Amy during an interview of the opener Broken Pieces Shine, a message from the past that’s sweeping across the hidden venue like a telepathic wave from the goth and punk rockers.
Evanescence have been rocking the world stage since the start of the millennium, punching through the airways with the seminal hit Bring Me To Life from Fallen, a Grammy winning, 17 times platinum album that is filled with the epitome of goth rock – haunting, dark, ethereal, dark, emotional and uplifting. It went on to become one of the best-selling albums of the 00’s. Four albums followed, shifting to more radio friendly with the latest released in 2021 – The Bitter Truth. There have been several lineup changes, but Amy Lee is anchored deep in the operatic goth band.
“We’ve got a lot of catch up to do.”
So, the twisted-laden riff continued with Broken Pieces followed by Going Under – the first hit of the Fallen chapter. For the commercial listeners, the third track of the night was probably the first recognisable hit, given it peaked at number 1 on the ARIA charts in 2003. In an interview, this is the only song in Fallen which she’s not asking for help, rather saving herself.
A medley range of variable expressions was performed through Lose Control/Part of Me/Never Go Back one third through the setlist and the next set of medley two thirds through which included Everybody’s Fool – which probably deserved to reshine on its own for over three minutes.
Amy Lee may be the only constant member of Evanescence, but the rest owned the dexterity and musicianship that epitomise the 2000s iconic band; Will Hunt attacked the drums like a maniacal, possessed man from the nuthouse. His continuous animation was a subject of entertainment in its own right. Guitarists Tim McCord and Troy McLawhorn sizzled throughout the musical rock incantation with the grungiest grunge and riffs, while the newest member and Aussie bassist Emma Anzal enthralled her home crowd with those four strings. Like a probationary employee, she stood on the far left, away from the rest.
As rockers do, their momentum was continuous, back to back in full throttle, with minimal conversation in between sets – which was probably a popular choice given the downpour and wintery spell. Nevertheless, the connection between stage and fans were entwined through a sincere and powerful performance.
“We are in this together.”
There was a moment for breather – for the capacity crowd; Amy sat at the grand piano, her vocal range then exposed to an emotional downpour through Lithium. Her voice reshaped as the instrument and took flight, gliding through the cold, wet night and taking the audience to a poignant chapter of their lives. The undulation of low note to the high note clearly narrated the yearning to break free from the negativity. No words can describe the gripping orchestration of Amy Lee’s performance.
And there was My Immortal – emanating another vocal masterpiece. The delicate, heartfelt piano ballad was sung with the visceral incantation that it deserves, as the ethereal lushness and darkness split the heavens even further – literally, as the downpour got heavier. The music drives the spirit that haunts someone, where the grieve was ever so touching as Amy Lee wailed through the haunting beauty in a spectacular performance.
The night ended with Bring Me To Life backed by an army of five thousand. Despite the male counterpunch being absent, the performance felt natural, without a sense of void. Nevertheless, Paul McCoy’s voice was subconsciously played in everyone’s heads, some belting out to the words.
Evanescence is more than Amy Lee – perhaps one of the live best vocalists on the planet. As a group, they possess the musical dexterity that’s second to none, a water tight, synchronistic mechanical clog that doesn’t seem to stop. From the start to finish, the energy was mellifluously chaotic and drenched in high spirit.
“It’s 20 years of Fallen. We wouldn’t dream that 20 years later it would be like this. For me it is much more than I could ever imagine. Because of you, thank you very much. Thank you for opening your hearts, thanks you for sharing your lives, and your pain and your stories and your life with us. Here we are – 20 year baby- and here’s to 20 more.”
Sheldon Ang Media expresses its gratitude to TEG MJR, Destroy All Lines, Dallas Does PR and Evanescence for the Press Accreditation
About the Writer/Photographer: Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) have been accredited to photograph and review the hottest acts in Perth including KISS, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lizzo Post, Malone, Sting, Harry Styles, Backstreet Boy and Florence + The Machine with reviews shared by the likes of UB40, Delta Goodrem, The Fabulous Caprittos and Synthony. He has interviewed rockers Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS), Floor Jansen (Nightwish), Ian Moss (Cold Chisel) and forty other legends.
