Review: Jack price
Photography: JD Garrahy
With a career spanning two and a half decades, 5 albums, countless tours, lineup changes, Grammy nominations and a name that has become synonymous with new age goths worldwide, the one and only Evanescence have kicked off their Australian tour at Riverstage, Brisbane. Since breaking out with their smash-hit Bring Me To Life featured on the 2003 film Daredevil, Amy Lee has cultivated the theatrically moving alt metal sound that has been ever present in the band’s success. The current line up of the band performs exceptionally, delivering a tight show for the 20th Anniversary of Fallen, the band’s debut album.
The lights of Brisbane’s Botanical Gardens through the crowd of black clad punters, creating an eeriness in the still, quiet night. But that quiet would not last for long. As the hillside auditorium fills, lowly clouds creep across the navy sky over Brisbane’s outskirts, the glowing crescent moon lurking above the tree line, it casts a gloomy ambience which is perfect for tonight’s atmosphere.
Melbourne’s The Beautiful Monument take to the stage to a spooky, synth intro before opening with Invisible from their 2019 album I’m The Reaper, and within a split second, the entire audience has risen from the blankets and towels strewn across the hilly embankment as the first sounds of pounding drums echo from Adam Pinzone, closely followed by riffs from Alex Manhire and bass from Amy McIntosh. By the end of the second track, Manifestation of 2017’s album I’m The Sin, the crowd are completely enthralled by frontwoman Lizi Blanco. The set is tight, featuring tracks like Burn and Misery, ending on arguably the bands most renowned single, Hellbound. While we know the main event is coming, the crowd is more than warmed up and longing for more.
As the Evanescence logo began to glow, backlit by an impressive light show of lasers and strobe lights, a techno based intro emitted from the PA system, echoed back by a cheer and roar of voices from the adoring fans while the band members took to the stage. Finally, the voice of the gothmother herself, Amy Lee, took to the stage, warbling etherically as the crowd became entranced in her presence. Opening with Broken Pieces Shine, the crowd found their voice and regained the ability to move again, headbanging and dancing to the song.
Amy Lee, renowned for her operatic, soprano voice that effortlessly delivers on belting out long held notes as well as delivering the silky, soft vocals for the more piano-based tracks in the band’s repertoire like Lithium, hardly falters in her live performance. The backing vocals are delivered by ex-Sick Puppies founding member and bass player Emma Anzai, who perfectly complements the frontwoman’s voice. Tim McCord thrashes on rhythm guitar, as lead guitarist Troy McLawhorn shreds his way through solos. Drummer Will Hunt ties the group together, illuminated by the transparent red kit he is throned behind.
While the tour is to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Fallen, the setlist only featured three tracks from the album, Going Under, My Immortal and Bring Me To Life, in lieu of a monster medley composed of remaining tracks and expertly executed. The hour and a half set instead featured a nice combination of new and old material, a journey spanning the band’s lengthy career. What You Want revitalised the crowd, being a more upbeat number, while Amy moved around the stage edge, addressing her congregation as she emphasises the empowering lyrics by gesturing to the fans singing along at the front of the crowd. In perfect contrast, tracks like Lithium and Wasted On You which showcase the encapsulating voice and piano prowess of Lee while also creating an ambiance that moves the crowd from moshing to swaying, torches illuminating the amphitheatre.
After thanking the crowd for their support throughout the bands career and dedicating the song to them, Lee requests the crowd join her in singing as she begins My Immortal, the melody beautifully ringing out through the chorus of cries from the crowd, the lights oth a thousand mobile phones illuminating Riverstage once again. The song that started it all back in 2003 is the only way to close tonight’s show, the unmistakable piano intro for Bring Me To Life rings out amongst the roar of voices. Even while lacking the male vocals for the chorus and bridge, this rendition of the band’s biggest hit is no less than amazing. Amy and the band didn’t seem to have lost any energy the entire set, making the final song as punchy and catchy as it’s release.
With the tour now underway and the rest of Australia to take over once again, the band took to the stage together once more to bow to their adoring fans, before waving their goodbyes and departing the stage. The show had been energetic and emotionally charged from start to finish, kicking the Fallen 20th Anniversary Tour off the right way. While it may have been a while since Evanescence last graced our shores, they had never left their fan’s hearts.
Presented By Destroy All Lines, TEG MJR and Triple M
EVANESCENCE AUSTRALIAN TOUR
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF FALLEN
PERFORMING HIGHLIGHTS FROM FALLEN & CAREER SPANNING SET
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS THE BEAUTIFUL MONUMENT
TOUR DATES:
THURSDAY 24 AUGUST – RIVERSTAGE, BRISBANE SOLD OUT
SATURDAY 26 AUGUST – QUDOS BANK ARENA, SYDNEY
MONDAY 28 AUGUST – AEC THEATRE, ADELAIDE SOLD OUT
WEDNESDAY 30 AUGUST – ROD LAVER ARENA, MELBOURNE
SATURDAY 2 SEPTEMBER – RED HILL AUDITORIUM, PERTH SOLD OUT
Tickets on sale now from www.destroyalllines.com
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