Afterlife Over the course of her career in Evanescence, Amy Lee has stood apart from the pack of female-fronted metal bands that have appeared in the music scene since the band’s debut (Fallen) was released in 2003. An icon in the goth rock community, Lee mentioned that her band’s sixth studio album, Sanctuary, got its title from finding comfort and connection through the power of music, all while being written during the rise of fascism in the country. Lee shared, “Turn on the news, and you can get inspired to write a heavy rock song with plenty of rage, especially as a woman. It’s just really hard, because I’m not political. I don’t want this. This was put upon us all. How we react and respond to this moment has nothing to do with if we want to be a ‘political voice’. I absolutely do not, but I do want to rise to the moment. We don’t have a choice. We’ve been forced into this situation where if we don’t speak up and fight back against tyranny, against human rights violations, against blowing people up, we’re next.” This sense of urgency comes through the speakers on Sanctuary, Evanescence’s most thrilling and powerful album since Fallen.
”I don’t belong to you / So don’t tell me what to do / Sick of the feeling I’m lying here bleeding / While you slither over what’s mine / I am the power / Wake up, say it louder / It’s time” Amy Lee croons over some atmospheric elements and textured guitars on Sanctuary’s opener of “Beautiful Lie”. Based on her stance on rising up in the face of the situation we’ve all been thrust into in today’s political environment, the song features a great opportunity to take a stand against the status quo, and it doesn’t disappoint. The heavy guitars from Troy McLawhorn and Tim McCord each stand well on their own merit, but Lee’s passionate vocal performance is clearly the star here. “Tell Me When You’ve Had Enough” features a bass heavy approach courtesy of Evanescence’s newest member, Emma Anzai, and it serves as a rallying cry for the masses to rise up from the ashes. The stomping rock song allows the perfect template for Lee to share her trademark vocals over, and she delivers another captivating performance on this track.
The second single from the set, “Who Will You Follow”, begins softly with Lee singing over a piano before the heavy rock guitars wash over the listener like a crashing wave. The song gets its strength from the contrast between the vulnerable chorus and empowering verses, as Lee ponders “What have you done to me?” before next admitting, “You drain the life out of me till I don’t know myself.” To feel lost in uncertain times is a relatable feeling for many, and Evanescence channel these emotions into a cathartic rock song. “Rapture” features some vivid lyrics over some cool atmospheric electronic synths/sounds, as Lee shares on the second verse, “Sinners, make your way to the altar / Heavy is the crown, bloody is the jewel / Money is the god that you answer to / When will it be enough?” The lyrics are just vague enough that Lee could be speaking about a number of individuals, but the lines are clearly laser-focused in the direction of pointing out clear corruption.
The lead single of “Afterlife” first made its way onto streaming back in March of 2025, thanks to being included on the Devil May Cry animated series soundtrack. It’s on songs like this that Evanescence kick into a new gear as Lee’s smooth vocals as she confidently swoons, “You wonder why I’m all out of tears to cry / Today I’m not, not afraid to die.” Her empowering message fits well within the context of a sanctuary, so it makes sense that it precedes the title track. It’s on this song that Lee begins explaining the state of the world through a spoken word intro that plays out like a radio broadcast “call to arms” that finishes with the line, “The power is ours.” As the song unfolds, the great chemistry between Lee and her bandmates pays off as they weave in the narrative of bringing power back to the people. It’s a very powerful statement on Sanctuary, and makes for a great launch point for the back half of the LP.
”How Do I Heal” is a piano-based power ballad that is one of the strongest songs found on the record, and it makes Lee’s star shine as brightly as it did on Fallen’s iconic “My Immortal.” The track really picks up momentum as it gets going, and Lee’s balance between vulnerable lyrics to self-empowering recovery is truly magical stuff. The song rewards the fans who’ve stuck with Evanescence through thick n’ thin, and it makes for the most logical choice of a marquee third single if the powers that be choose to release it as one.
”About Us” gets back to the bass-heavy, gothic-tinged rock that Evanescence have built a career on, and the verses build up to a great, anthemic chorus of, “They don’t give a damn about us / Your pretty tears are going to waste / You dug a grave for both of us / And now it’s too late,” before heavy guitars lean into the back half of the hook of, “‘Cause you got what you want / Now bow down to your God / And no, he doesn’t give a damn about us / And no one’s gonna save you.” The bleak outlook on the higher powers pulling the strings behind the scenes give way to the band reminding us that we have the real power and control in making these choices in our own lives. “Calm Down” rocks with a steady urgency and it leans into the heavy, layered riffing from McLawhorn and McCord in the choruses and verses to bring more weight to Lee’s lyrics.
”Self Destruct” is a pretty straightforward, energetic rock song that finds Lee pondering, “Is this what you want it to be? / Are we gonna die before you get enough? / You get enough to get off? / Which one hits you harder? / The truth or the gun? / This is how we self-destruct,” as she sees the power in bringing more voices into the fight for what’s right. “Forever Without You” is a vulnerable, piano-laced ballad that doesn’t quite achieve the staying power of “How Do I Heal”, but it makes for a decent penultimate song on Sanctuary that sets the tone for the closer of “Wide Open Heart”. It’s here that Evanescence make sure they stick the landing and continue to hold true to the overall narrative of taking a stand against oppression. The back half of the chorus rallies the masses with, “When you lean into the pain you find out who you are / Don’t let it go to waste ’cause we’re facing the weight of the world / With a wide open heart / Shine the light that’s still left in us.” This is great advice to follow, and it makes for a thrilling and lasting statement on Sanctuary.