Relive Evanescence

Title: Relive Evanescence
Written by Jamie Ortega

Talk about kicking off the New Year with a bang! Ovation Productions ushers in 2012 with performances from two premium rock bands, Evanescence and Bush.

It’s a formula that’s been crafted to perfection- soaring, heart-wrenching choruses blending into hauntingly effective arrangements- that’s made Evanescence a household name. Founded in Little Rock Arkansas by singer and guitarist Amy Lee along with guitarist Ben Moody, the band experienced their first taste of fame with their first full-length album Fallen released in 2003. The compilation sold more than 17 million copies worldwide and helped the band win two Grammy Awards.

Their first live album, Anywhere But Home, was equally successful, selling one million copies worldwide. Evanescence’s second studio effort The Open Door sold an impressive six million copies, cementing band's place in the rock hemisphere.  However, just like any other group Evanescence has gone through several changes. David Hodges, co-founder Moody, bassist Will Boyd, guitarist John Le Compt and drummer Rocky Gray all left the band.

Be that as it may, the band did not allow this change to set them back. They continued to churn out their unique brand of music with their hard work undoubtedly paying off. Evanescence released their self-titled third studio album Evanescence on October 11, 2011 which debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with 127, 000 copies in sales.

They may be labeled as a rock band; however, by debuting at number 1 on four different billboard charts: the Rock Albums, the Alternative Albums, Hard Rock Albums the band has successfully crossed multiple genres. Evanescence’s lead vocalist Amy Lee set their band apart from other musical groups pervading the scene with this statement in a previous interview, “We’re definitely a rock band, but the twist is that the band's music is epic, dramatic, dark rock.”

The band is more popularly defined by their hits “Bring Me To Life” and “My Immortal”. “Bring Me To Life” propelled Evanescence to where they are today. It was the band’s first major label debut single, their first UK number one single, and it also climbed to the 5th spot on the American Billboard Hot 100. On the other hand “My Immortal” peaked at number 7 on both the US and UK charts. Bring Me To Life was also recognized at the 2004 Grammy Awards where the band bagged Best Hard Rock Performance and Best New Artist Awards. Any superhero fans out there? The two movies were featured in the soundtrack of the action movie Daredevil.

Touring is what this band loves to do and that’s what they’ve recently been busy with. On November 2011 Evanescence played at sold-out venues in UK, Germany, and France. Last month they performed at the Noble Peace Prize Concert, performing Bring Me To Life.

They will be making their way to Manila with special guest: BUSH on February 19, 2012 for a concert at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Grab your tickets at all Ticketnet outlets.