Seriously…it can’t be nigh on 15 years since Evanescence first graced our ears with their nu-metal goth of debut album Fallen and iconic songs Bring Me To Life and My Immortal? With a hiatus during this time and solo offerings from Amy Lee in recent years, in 2018, Evanescence embark on what is undoubtedly their most ambitious work at best… Synthesis, the orchestral and electronica based album released last year, now presented live.
On the last show of their first Australian tour in six years, tonight it’s Melbourne and Rod Laver Arena, coupled with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Rod Laver is anything but intimate, which is what this set truly deserves. Maybe a spoiler alert from the outset, but full props to the band that they can command a packed stadium to virtual silence for this truly captivating set.
Opening the set with the instrumental Overture, with Amy Lee at piano, Never Go Back follows off their last studio album, which launches the full band and MSO pairing. With this opening salvo locking my eyes and ears firmly on Amy, being the sole person standing on stage and with that stunning voice, I’m sure to be not alone. Lacrymosa is one of the set highlights for me, with the MSO in full flight early on and Amy’s voice particularly haunting on this one.
Bring Me To Life appears in the set early on, and where guitars once reigned supreme on the original version, in Synthesis mode, it’s electro beats and a thundering orchestral power that provides the musical backdrop. Try listening to the original recorded version in comparison to this, and there’s just no going back…amazing.
A musical interlude of Unraveling serves the purpose of my ears savouring those last 5 minutes just a little bit longer. With the set equally spanning songs across all studio albums, the bracket of Imaginary, Secret Door, Hi – Lo and Lost Paradise, scale back the musical power somewhat, but amp up the emotional power and intensity. Going back to the earlier comment, I couldn’t help but imagine hearing these in a far more intimate room, to truly appreciate their grandeur.
As Amy explains, one of the band’s biggest singles, My Immortal, wasn’t initially one of her favourite songs, however now brings special meaning. An electric atmosphere permeates through the 8,000 strong crowd, with this jaw-dropping version. Channelling electric atmosphere, with a good dose of electronica and beats, new single Imperfection dials back the spotlight on Amy slightly, with some frenetic drumming from Will Hunt and orchestral riffing taking centre stage.
Now this is how you do an encore…after barely leaving the stage, Amy returns on her own, takes a seat at the piano for her recent solo song Speak To Me, followed by Good Enough. With the full band returning to the stage, the fitting Swimming Home closes what was a truly memorable performance, and the Australian leg of the Synthesis world tour.
