Evanescence's dramatic & dark rock music

MANILA, Philippines - Among rock fans, Evanescence is recognized not only for its unique and delightful brand of music, but for the broad range of sounds it encompasses, covering a variety of genres that will suit every fan’s sophisticated taste.

While many critics have identified the group as a rock or metal act and others have classified it as gothic rock, other genres and influences used to describe its sound include alternative metal, alternative rock, hard rock, electronic and chamber pot. 

The dynamic convergence of musical genres has contributed to the emergence of Evanescence as one of the top rock bands from the ’90s onwards, with legions of followers throughout the world and a string of hit albums that have sold millions.

Pinoys will have the rare experience of listening live to the extraordinary sound of Evanescence when it makes its concert debut in Manila on Feb. 19 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Performing on the same stage during the one-night musical event dubbed as Evanescence Live In Manila! is Bush which will be featured as guest.

The two-in-one presentation from Ovation Production brings to the concert scene two of the hottest groups in rock music during the past two decades as they showcase their exceptional talent and style that catapulted them to the top of the music world.

Evanescence is set to conquer rock fans in its initial performance here with its formidable list of hits, such as Bring Me To Life, Going Under, My Immortal, Everybody’s Fool, Call Me When You’re Sober, Lithium, Sweet Sacrifice, Good Enough, What You Want, My Heart Is Broken, Lacrymosa, Lost In Paradise, and many more.

Formed 17 years ago in Little Rock, Arkansas, the band shot to prominence in 2003 with the release on Wind-Up Records of its first full-length studio album, Fallen, which sold more than 17 million copies worldwide and won for the group two Grammy Awards.

The following year, its debut live album, Anywhere But Home, was released and sold more than one million copies throughout the world.

Evanescence’s successful streak continued with its 2006 second studio album, The Open Door, which earned for the group its first No. 1 ranking on the Billboard 200 chart and became the 700th No. 1 album in Billboard since the chart became a weekly feature in 1956.

This was followed by its self-titled third studio album, Evanescence, which was released on Oct. 11, 2011 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with 127,000 copies in sales.

The band’s major-label debut single, Bring Me To Life, featuring guest vocals from Paul McCoy of 12 Stones, became an international hit and reached No. 5 on the American Billboard Hot 100.

It also gave the group its first UK No. 1 single and stayed on the list for four weeks, from June to July 2003. The song also became the official theme for WWE No Way Out 2003.

The song was recognized at the 46th Grammy Awards in 2004, where Evanescence won the Best Hard Rock Performance and Best New Artist Awards and nominated for two others.

Evanescence performed at Rock on the Range in Winnipeg, Canada on Aug. 20, 2011 and at Rock in Rio on Oct. 2, 2011 along with Guns N’ Roses and System of A Down, as well as Brazilian attractions Pitty and Detonautas Roque Clube.

With its eclectic sound, Evanescence has been variously termed by critics as a rock or metal band but most identify it as some form of gothic band. Other genres and influences used to describe its sound include alternative metal, alternative rock, hard rock, electronica and chamber pot.

Evanescence co-founder Amy Lee admitted that the group is definitely a rock band, but the twist is that its music is “epic, dramatic, dark rock.”

Evanescence traces its roots to Little Rock, Arkansas, where it was founded in 1995 by singer/pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody.

Other members of Evanescence are Terry Balsamo, lead guitar (2003-present), Troy McLawhorn, rhythm guitar (2007-2011-present), Tim McCord, bass (2006-present) and Will Hunt, drums (2007-present).

Bush, on the other hand, emerged as one of the biggest and most commercially successful rock acts in the ’90s with an impressive record that began when its debut album, Sixteen Stone, released in 1994, turned into a hit and was certified six times multi-platinum by the RIAA.

It scored numerous Top 10 singles on the Billboard rock charts and one No. 1 album from Razorblade Suitcase, its 1996 second album.

Swallowed, its first single from the album, spent seven weeks on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, while the album itself hit No. 1 in America and placed high in many European countries. The album scored one more hit, Greedy Fly after Swallowed.

Its 1999 album, The Science Of Things, also reached platinum and featured three top-selling singles, notably The Chemicals Between Us (No. 1 in the Modern Rock Tracks and No. 64 on the US Hot 100) and The Cables Sleep (No. 4 in the Modern Rock Tracks plus considerable airplay).

The members of Bush went separate ways in 2002 but reunited when the name was revived in 2010 and led to the release in 2011 of a new album, The Sea Of Memories.

Bush was formed in London in 1992 by vocalist/guitarist Gavin Rossdale of the band Midnight and former King Blank guitarist Nigel Pulsford, who were later joined by drummer Robbin Goodridge and bassist Dave Parsons (formerly of The Partisans and Transvision Vamp) to complete the ensemble.

The present members are Gavin Rossdale, lead vocals, guitar (1992-2002; 2010-present); Robin Goodridge, drums, percussion (1992-2002; 2010-present); Chris Taylor, guitar (2002; 2010-present); and Corey Britz, bass guitar (2010-present).

Evanescence Live In Manila! is presented by Ovation Productions in cooperation with etc, 2nd Avenue, Universal Channel and Jack TV.

It is also supported by The Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, Manila Bulletin, Talk TV, Diva Universal, Basketball TV, Solar Sports, 97.9 Home Radio, ABS-CBN, Mellow 94.7, Monster Radio RX 93.1, MYX, Edsa Shangri-La Manila and OptimaSignsolutions.

(Tickets are priced at P5,500, P4,500, P3,500, P2,500, P1,500 and P500 and available at Ticketnet outlets at SM Department Stores and at the Smart Araneta Coliseum ticket office. For inquiries, call 911-5555.)