US rock legends Evanescence recently released their long awaited fifth studio album ’The Bitter Truth’, their first record of all new material in a decade and a return to heavier and darker sounds which has been praised by fans and critics alike.
The Bitter Truth is a reflection of both the personal tragedies in the band members’ own lives (the unexpected passing of frontwoman Amy Lee’s brother, the sudden loss of a child by bassist Tim McCord) and the collective tragedies of the planet amidst racial inequality, COVID, and economic upheaval. But, despite the darkness and bitterness of life, the album’s resounding message is one of light: Pushing through is better than giving up.
We sat down with Evanescence drummer Will Hunt for the Everblack Podcast to talk about the creation of ‘The Bitter Truth’, it’s heavier and darker direction,the incredible line up of guests on the record, how their cover of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ set the tone for creativity moving forward, the challenges of recording their live stream show, the status of Device with David Draiman and Geno Lenardo and more!
Watch / Listen to the interview here:
Forced to write and record the majority of the album apart from one another throughout 2020, with an unprecedented work flow and no creative limits, the band naturally returned to the fiery, epic sound for which they are known. Lyrically, the heaviness of the world bred raw honesty, and brought to life themes both old and new. A process of healing in itself, for Lee, writing and singing about topics such as inner demons, grief, the “I’m okay” facade society forces on those struggling with their mental health, rebellion in the face of injustice and misogyny, and the freedom that comes with ending toxic relationships ultimately culminated in a sense of resilience.
The quarantine-creation of the album is also chronicled in a new documentary, Evanescence: Embracing The Bitter Truth, directed by Adam Jones and out today via The Coda Collection, the music-centric streaming channel on Amazon Prime Video. Capturing the album’s genesis from the band’s last (planned) live show in December 2019 and its literal destruction by fire to the mostly-remote mixing and completion processes, the documentary is necessary viewing for fans and anyone looking to understand the art behind the art of the pandemic era.
To watch the documentary and to sign up for a free 7-day Coda Collection trial, visit www.codacollection.co.
Evanescence – ‘The Bitter Truth’ is OUT NOW via Sony Music.
Purchase or stream The Bitter Truth HERE : https://evanescence.lnk.to/TBT
