With their first album in five years out on October 11, 2011, the Grammy-winning gothic rock band Evanescence finally sounds like the band it has always wanted and hoped to be – one that is tight, together, and matured.

Evanescence released their 12-track collection on Tuesday, and even before it hit the shelves, the hype and excitement buzzed the media circuit to a crazed frenzy.

When listening to the album, there’s a pronounced vitality that surges through the songs. This rising sound and vitality can only be from the band’s willingness to go out onto a musical limb and take an incredible chance. Though the hallmarks of their sound remain intact with the swirling synths, anthemic choruses, and heavy riffs, everyone knows and loves, they also have a new and edgier perspective to be heard in sync with the theatrical undercurrent flowing beneath the words sung by Amy Lee.

Evanescence represents modern rock at its finest, and this album is further proof of it. They manage to experiment while staying unshakably infectious to their listeners and fans. This is no easy feat, and it has taken many years to evolve the sounds present on this album.
Evanescence wanted to prove that they were strong and alive without taking away from who they are musically. And with their self titled album, there can be no question that they have only amped their musical talents, not lost them along the way. It is in this writer and fans opinion that no matter the time it took to make this album, Evanescence still remains at their all time best.