Evanescence – “The Bitter Truth” | Progressive Rock Central.com

The Bitter Truth is the fifth studio album from Evanescence. It was released on March 26, 2021, through BMG Rights Management and was produced by Nick Raskulinecz. The album is the band’s first in more than three years, following 2017’s Synthesis, as well as their first full album of new material since their self-titled third album (2011).

Let me ruin the suspense early. There is no “My Immortal” on this album. This is, “it has been over three years”, “we gotta get back on the road and tour again”, album! It is a rocker full of vim and vinegar. Amy is back, filling the airwaves with her beautiful voice and some rough lyrics.

Evanescence, is Amy Lee, lead vocalist, piano, keyboards, and additional programming; Troy McLawhorn, on guitar; Jen Majura, on guitar and backing vocals; Tim McCord, on bass; and last, but definitely not least, Will Hunt, playing drums that will make your eardrums split.

The band collaborates with some additional artists on The Bitter Truth, including: Deena Jakoub, on backing vocals (track 8); Lzzy Hale, on backing vocals (track 8); Carrie Lee, on backing vocals (track 8); Lori Lee, on backing vocals (track 8); Sharon den Adel, on backing vocals (track 8); Lindsey Stirling, on backing vocals (track 8); Taylor Momsen, on backing vocals (track 8); Amy McLawhorn, on backing vocals (track 8); David Campbell, who managed the strings arrangement; Alan Umstead, the strings contractor, and concertmaster; Nashville Music Scoring, for the orchestral support; Scott Kirkland, for programming and production (track 1).

“Artifact/The Turn”, opens with cool, soft keys, before Amy’s voice returns to the stage, with soft vocals, “Underneath golden skies. You will always be there. In the mirror, in my eyes. You will always be there. Where do we go now? Find a way to go back. To go back home. To who we are!” Evanescence is back! Welcome to album release day.

On “Broken Pieces Shine”, Amy’s vocals shine through that explosive cannon shot sound of the drums, and the grinding electric guitars. She sings, “Three, two, one, zero. There is no way back this time! What is real and what is mine? Ooh, survival hurts. Lose myself or lose my mind. Every time I close my eyes. But I keep breathing in, I’m alive. I’m not fine. I don’t know if I will be alright. But I have to try. I know you’re with me, so what if we do fall apart? Give into all that we are, and let all the broken pieces shine”. Yes, overcome the dread we have witnessed throughout this horrible global pandemic. Rock it!

One of the best songs of the year, and an explosive rocking single, “The Game is Over”, is next. Amy sings, “Had enough, I’ve really had enough! Had enough of denial. I’m not alright but I’m not gonna lie. I don’t know that I ever was!” The powerful guitar riffs and unmatched drumming reminds me of my favorite song of the year so far, “Titanium”. The powerful lyrics of strength are excellent. Amy sings, “Change me into something I believe in. Change me so I don’t have to pretend. I want it all or I want nothing at all. Your sweet words, they mean nothing, save your breath. The game is over!”

“Yeah Right”, is another dynamic contender for song of the year. Powerful guitar work and drums cascade over this masterpiece. Amy sings, “Yeah, I’m a rock star. I’m a queen resurrected, just as messed up as before. Twist the knife hard. Just makes it easier to tell you I don’t need you anymore (oh)!” Perfect mic drop. She continues to summarize our feelings, after a year of this global pandemic, “Life’s a game ’til you lose, then what? I’m reaching a new level of not giving a fuck!” Yes, rock on…and hard.

“Feeding the Dark”, is another stunning fighter. Amy sings, “Follow me under. Low as we are. Swallow your hunger. Feeding this dark. Oh, you know that you can’t hide. And you know that you can’t lie. ‘Cause I know all your secrets. And I won’t let you forget!” Time to come clean, after years of listening to lies.

“Wasted on You”, is going to be another arena masterpiece, to play to thousands of fans who have been waiting. This one will get them out of their seat singing with Amy, “I don’t need drugs. I’m already six feet low. Wasted on you. Waiting for a miracle”. Yes, watch for the millions of cellphone lights after that line. Then she continues, “Love, don’t you remember? We were the ones. Nothing could ever change. It’s easier not to believe we have broken everything. But here we are. Numb my head till I can’t think anymore. But I still feel the pain!” She finishes with the album punchline, “I can’t move on. Like we’re frozen in time. I’m wasted on you. Just pass me the bitter truth!”

“Better Without You”, opens with a wind-up toy sound, before cool keys surround you, and then there is Amy singing through the mist, “Stand in the front, but shut up ’til I tell you to go. And don’t get caught up in pretend ’cause you’re not in control. ‘Cause this is my world, little girl, you’d be lost on your own. As empires fall to pieces. Our ashes twisting in the air. It makes me smile to know that. I’m better without you!” A powerful song about taking control of a relationship.

“Use My Voice”, is my favorite song on this album of awesome hits. Soft keyboards and atmospherics build until Amy, and a choir supporting her, sings, “Cover my ears and close my eyes. Just long enough to stop the noise. Go and take everything and throw it away. But I will use my voice!” Amy shouts out the track punchline, “No, don’t you speak for me. Whether you like it or not. Don’t you speak for me!” She has a powerful voice and you will never forget it after this one. The powerful guitar assault on this one is also unforgettable. Would like to see this one played live.

“Take Over”, is another showstopper. It is going to be awesome live. Those punching drums and that masterful guitar work all complemented by Amy’s vocals, “By the way that you talk to me. I can see the lie you’re dreaming I’ll believe. By the way, don’t you forget who you are now. I’m coming back to take your world down. Move over, if you can. ‘Cause I never lost my crown!” Uh, yah.

“Far from Heaven”, is the closest sound you are going to get to “My Immortal”, on this album. Amy sings, with soft accompanying piano and orchestration, “Give me a reason. Make me whole again. What I wouldn’t give to be with you. For one more night. What if I can’t see your light anymore? ‘Cause I’ve spent too long in the dark. And I’m on my knees. Without shame begging to believe, but I feel, so far from heaven”. I can imagine a theater full of cellphone lights in the dark, for this one.

“Part of Me”, is full of those cool punching drums. Amy sings, “Not on your life! I’m not abandoning. I have survived. Somehow still standing through death and through time. I need your love like a drug keeping me alive!” Later she delivers the song’s theme title, “Even in dreams I hear you calling. Breaking the surface, I won’t let go. You’re part of me now and always”.

“Blind Belief”, opens with a piano entrance that reminds me of either Halloween or “Tubular Bells”. It is riveting. Then Amy sings, “I believe in us. I can’t remember why I believe in us. Blind belief, are you afraid to see. That our fathers were wrong? We hold the key to redemption!” Yes, one of the best lines on the album. Only we hold the keys to redemption. Amy sings, “We hold the key to redemption. Love over all!” What a perfect way to close this masterpiece.

The Bitter Truth is a fantastic return for Evanescence. Yes, redemption. Every song is a hit. They have hit it out of the ballpark on this return to force. Every one of these songs would be great to hear live. Please give this a listen. I know you will want more. Although it is the bitter truth, this album does not hurt, going down.
Track List

Artifact/The Turn – 2:27
Broken Pieces Shine – 3:50
The Game is Over – 4:22
Yeah Right – 3:29
Feeding the Dark – 4:14
Wasted on You – 4:24
Better Without You – 4:05
Use My Voice – 4:01
Take Over – 3:15
Far from Heaven – 4:57
Part of Me – 4:00
Blind Belief – 4:14