Evanescence

The soaring vocals of Amy Lee nestle between rich orchestral textures and gothic rock; a sound which is now clearly identifiable as Evanescence.

The band was founded in 1998 by singer Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody after they met as teenagers at youth camp in 1994. After significant local success, they released small quantities of a demo and two EPs, the contents of which would finally appear on the well received and hugely successful Fallen, released in 2003. Amy and Ben had, by this time, been joined by John LeCompt (guitar), Rocky Gray (drums) and Will Boyd (bass). Paul McCoy (vocals) of 12 Stones guested with Evanescence on their breakthrough single "Bring me to Life", which joined "My Immortal" on the soundtrack for the movie Daredevil.

In 2004 Evanescence released a DVD/CD compilation entitled Anywhere But Home which contained a mixture of live versions of old songs and some new songs including; "Missing", "Breathe No More", "Farther Away", and a cover of Korn's "Thoughtless". Moody had already left by 2003, citing creative differences as his reason, along with suggestions that the tensions within the band prior to his departure had become unendurable. He was replaced by Terry Balsamo.

In 2006 they released their eagerly anticipated second album The Open Door. The run up to the release of Open Door saw the departure of Will Boyd, who had expressed fears about being absent from his family for a long tour. Tim McCord replaced him on bass.

By 2007 it was reported that John LeCompt had been unceremoniously fired, and not long after that Rocky Gray quit the band. Details about the sacking were sparse and were subject to much speculation. Gray and LeCompt were replaced by drummer Will Hunt and guitarist Troy McLawhorn, both on long term sabbatical from Dark New Day.

Dogged by line-up changes and, in their early stages, a wrangle over their disputed 'Christian rock' tag (which they have since refuted), Evanescence have made a significant and well received impact on the music world, far from 'fading away' as their name suggests.