Second song from The Bitter Truth album out later this year

Watch the Self-Shot video for “The Game is Over” on Friday HERE (link live 7/3 at 12pm ET)

Listen to “The Game is Over” HERE

Evanescence is out today with “The Game is Over” the second song from The Bitter Truth (BMG). Their first album of new original music in nine years, The Bitter Truth will be released incrementally throughout 2020.

The iPhone-shot, neon-nightmare of a video for “The Game is Over” will go live Friday, 7/3 at 12pm ET / 9am PT during a live YouTube premiere featuring a fan Q&A with Amy Lee – link HERE.

A guitar-driven anthem commanded by Amy Lee’s peerless mezzo-soprano and Will Hunt’s heavy arena percussion, “The Game is Over” is a protest against the facades we are pressured to put on by society. In the face of depression and anxiety – and especially in a world that seems to crumble further each day – it’s a cry to end the charade that everything’s fine.

The accompanying video is a nightmarish, effects-laden look at the emotional havoc that this period has wrought. Despite being restricted to shooting themselves on iPhones, the band, in collaboration with director P.R. Brown, managed to achieve a highly stylized production literalizing the metaphorical monsters within us. The video is astonishing proof of the creative spark of working with limited resources and a testament to the band’s commitment to its craft. Spotlighting the mental darkness behind the false smiles, it’s a disturbing, technicolor tribute to the light at the end of the tunnel – if you’re willing to face the terrors that line its walls.

Amy Lee says of “The Game is Over:”

“This song is about being sick of the facade. The disguises we wear for others to make them feel comfortable, the inside feelings being so different than what we show on the outside to fit within the boundaries of what’s socially acceptable, or what’s not going to make you unpleasant or too ‘weird’ to be around.

“The Game is Over” is a promise to myself and out loud that I’m going to be more of my real, inner self on the outside–not lock her up because she can’t be contained anymore. It’s also a prayer to become better, to not feel so messed up, locked up, and hurt inside.

April 24, 2020 – Evanescence will release their first album of new original music in nine years, The Bitter Truth (BMG) over the course of this year, beginning with the first song and video, “Wasted on You,” today.

Watch the video for “Wasted on You” HERE .

The video for “Wasted on You” was shot by each band member – lead singer-songwriter and pianist Amy Lee, bassist Tim McCord, drummer Will Hunt, lead guitarist Troy McLawhorn, and guitarist Jen Majura – on their iPhones while currently in isolation. Building on the piercing intensity for which the band is known, the intimately shot video (directed by P.R. Brown in collaboration with the band) breaks through the emotional stillness and numbness of the current time to reflect the internal highs and lows that each of us cycles through now, on a daily basis.

Perfectly encapsulating the current moods of disconnection from the world, lack of control, and purposelessness felt by so many, the video finds the band members alone at their homes and with their families, biding time and trying to create in a world and for an audience that seems smaller than ever. Paired with Amy Lee’s stunning vocals and the band’s signature pure-rock sound, the song’s central refrain is shockingly timely & universal:

I don’t need drugs

I’m already six feet low

Wasted on you

Waiting for a miracle

I can’t move on

Feels like we’re frozen in time

I’m wasted on you

Just pass me the Bitter Truth

As Amy explains, “We were recording this music right up until we couldn’t go into the studio anymore, and finished it remotely through file sharing and phone calls. Tweaking mixes, adding background vocals, creating the video and album art all from home has been like water in the dessert for me, my light in a dark time. We are still writing and have a lot more work to do on this album, but this time we wanted to release the songs individually, as we create, to live more in the moment with our fans and our music.

Wasted On You wasn’t the song we were planning to release first, but when the whole world went into indefinite lockdown and everything changed, so did the feeling and meaning of what we wanted to say right now. I didn’t write these lyrics about what we’re all now going through, but somehow that’s exactly what they are.

The whole video was shot by the band and our families on our iPhones, in isolation in our homes many miles apart, then edited together by Paul Brown. We can’t be together to make a video right now, but we took that and used it to tell the story of our real lives in this moment, and to show that although we are apart, we are all still connected.

As far as business is concerned, this is considered a terrible time to release. But we believe that people need music now more than ever. We do, and we’re not going to wait to share it because who knows what tomorrow brings. Who knows if it even comes? This is who we really are and we’re calling out across the world for a connection.

One thing that has come from this crazy time is it’s stripped away the illusion of control- from all of us. Proof that we really don’t have any when it comes down to it. A big new theme in the new music so far is disillusionment. Growing up and realizing life can be so hard, nobody’s gonna come rescue you, and fairy tales aren’t real- BUT, standing up and saying I’ll take the truth rather than live in denial. Rising up, through the ashes of death and pain and everything just rising up even though it hurts and taking it to move forward. No more lies. The bitter truth is all that impossibly hard stuff. And I’m taking it. Choosing to live.”

Director P.R. Brown adds “It’s a time where nothing makes sense and we are all forced to see a reality we don’t want to believe exists. It was clear that we all collectively needed to create something, we needed to say something.

After we started looking at the footage it was clear that the band members were each going through similar things. I started building an edit and seeing those scenarios play out over and over again and linked them together to tell their stories.

The band inspired me and is helping me through all of the madness around us through their vulnerability and creative grace. The hope is that it helps others get through it as well and see that there is a light at the end, even if it’s dark outside.”

The Bitter Truth takes its foundation in the epic, signature sound that has earned Evanescence two GRAMMY awards and more than 23 million album sales worldwide beginning with their landmark debut ‘Fallen,’ and blends it with the thought-provoking lyrics, musical sophistication, and heavy themes that Amy Lee has become known for. Producer Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Rush, Deftones) has been tracking with the band in Nashville since late January. In a break from the past, the band will be rolling out a series of songs from the album incrementally, culminating in the release of the full album. Later this year, the band plans to tour through Europe on the rescheduled co-headline tour with Within Temptation originally scheduled for this month. Conditions permitting, the band will also continue to perform shows in other parts of the world, as well.

Photo Credit: P.R. Brown

Due to the rapidly evolving nature of current events Evanescence and Within Temptation are forced to postpone their massive co-headline European tour until later this year.

The tour, which was due to kick off in Brussels on April 4^th, will now move to later this year. Specific information dates for the rescheduled shows will be available shortly.  All existing tickets & VIP Packages will remain valid for the rescheduled dates.

Evanescence singer Amy Lee said “As many of you have already predicted, it is beyond our control that our upcoming European tour will have to be postponed. The shows WILL go on, and we are already busy locking in the new dates for this fall. We are disappointed to make you wait, but fully agree that your health, safety and lives are more important than a concert. We will be releasing the first new music from our new album very soon, and are going to turn our full focus toward that till the show can go on. Stay tuned for new dates and new music. We love you!”

Within Temptation singer Sharon Den Adel said: “We are sorry to announce that our tour will be postponed. Nevertheless in the meantime we will continue our preparation for the most kick ass tour ever and more good news, new WT material will see daylight before the tour starts. We can’t wait to see you when the time comes. In the meantime take care & be safe❣️”

Evanescence are currently in the studio working on a brand new album, and will be releasing the first offering from it very soon.

Within Temptation is working on brand new music which will be released in the near future to coincide with the new tour dates.

BAND IS CURRENTLY IN THE STUDIO WORKING ON NEW ORIGINAL MUSIC

SPRING TOUR BEGINS ON MARCH 29 WITH A PERFORMANCE AT DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL JAPAN

Watch the new video for “The Chain” HERE

“The most successful hard rock band of the past two decades” –Forbes

“Amy Lee firmly re-establishes herself as one of rock’s pre-eminent vocalists, exhibiting an impressive range that still packs a wallop” –Variety

“Amy Lee’s voice remains vibrant, soaring and sweet. She makes disappointment sound like romance.” –New York Times

“Haunting, powerful, and packed with poetic truth, Lee’s voice is one of the strongest in the game—recognizable and unparalleled.” –Nylon

Transcendent, two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning rock band, Evanescence, has released the official music video for their first new rock recording in eight years, “The Chain (From Gears 5).” Directed by frequent collaborator, P.R. Brown (My Chemical Romance, John Mayer, Green Day), the piece blends powerful, epic performance visuals with footage from the launch trailer for Xbox Game Studios’ Gears 5 from the massively popular Gears of War franchise. To emulate the aesthetic of Gears 5, a miniature set was constructed for the music video that parallels the dystopian environment of the game. Watch it HERE, and listen to the song on all digital streaming platforms HERE.

“The lyrics make me feel the power of standing together against great forces trying to pull us apart, perhaps even from the inside. I really wanted to drive that home in our version,” lead singer Amy Lee elaborates. P.R. Brown adds, “The goal of the video is to show the bond of this band as they deliver a powerful take on a classic song. The tie in with Gears 5 presented an opportunity to combine the game world together with the band performance in a post-apocalyptic setting. The band emerges from the ashes to come together. We wanted to bring these worlds together and feel both the force of the band and the game.”

Evanescence unveiled their signature-rock version of the Fleetwood Mac classic in November, following Lee having lent her vocals to the Gears 5 launch trailer. The spot aired as part of a multi-million-dollar ad campaign in the fall in conjunction with the launch of the game. Watch it HERE. In addition, Gears 5 set new records as the biggest launch for any Xbox Game Studios game in this generation.

“The Chain” marks the first release in what is expected to be a very active period for Evanescence. Following their foray into symphonic music with 2017’s critically acclaimed Synthesis album and world tour, the five-piece reemerged by embracing a heavier sound, albeit with their trademark style that has made Evanescence integral in establishing a global, critical mass in rock, and among the most unique artists of the millennium. The band is currently working on new original music, which will start rolling out in 2020 in advance of their highly-anticipated fifth full-length studio album. Stay tuned for more details to come.

On March 29, Evanescence’s spring tour dates commence with a performance at Download Festival in Tokyo, Japan. Shortly thereafter, the group will embark on a massive co-headline tour of Europe and the U.K. with Within Temptation that runs from April 4 to May 1. Evanescence will also headline their own show in Madrid, Spain on May 3 to conclude their slew of dates overseas. After a quick break, the quintet will return to the U.S. for two select performances – The Fillmore in Minneapolis, MN on May 14 and a major festival performance at Sonic Temple on May 16. Tickets to all shows are on sale now and can be purchased on Evanescence’s official website HERE.

Evanescence 2020 Tour Dates:

3/29 – Tokyo, Japan @ Download Festival

4/4 – Brussels, Belgium @ Palais 12 *

4/5 – Paris, France @ Accor Hotel Arena *

4/7 – London, U.K. @ The O2 *

4/9 – Berlin, Germany @ Velodrome *

4/11 – Frankfurt, Germany @ Festhalle *

4/12 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Hallenstadion *

4/14 – Milan, Italy @ Mediolanum Forum *

4/15 – Munich, Germany @ Zenith *

4/17 – Hamburg, Germany @ Sporthalle *

4/18 – Leipzig, Germany @ Leipzig Arena *

4/20 – Dusseldorf, Germany @ Mitsubishi Hall *

4/21 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Ziggo Dome *

4/22 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Ziggo Dome *

4/24 – Brussels, Belgium @ Palais 12 *

4/26 – Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg @ Rockhal Main Hall *

4/28 – Glasgow, U.K. @ The SSE Hyrdo *

4/30 – Leeds, U.K. @ First Direct Arena *

5/1 – Birmingham, U.K. @ Arena Birmingham *

5/3 – Madrid, Spain @ Palacio Vistalegre

5/14 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore

5/16 – Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival

* w/ Within Temptation

This cover was so fun to make. We love Fleetwood Mac and wanted to paint a dark and epic picture with our take on The Chain. Check it out here: https://evanescence.lnk.to/TheChainEM. The lyrics make me feel the power of standing together against great forces trying to pull us apart, perhaps even from the inside. I really wanted to drive that home in our version, and even made everyone in the band sing by the end of it! We’re beyond excited to share this with our fans and I’m really looking forward to playing it live. 

We have European tour dates coming up next year, and are in the studio now working on our next original album. 
For more info check out Amy Lee’s Reddit AMA here: https://redd.it/dzqjla

Get The Chain (from Gears 5) here: https://evanescence.lnk.to/TheChainEM

Evanescence 2019-2020 Tour Dates:11/30/19 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Knotfest 3/29/20 – Tokyo, Japan @ Download Festival 4/4/20 – Brussels, Belgium @ Palais 12 *4/5/20 – Paris, France @ Accor Hotel Arena *4/7/20 – London, U.K. @ The O2 *4/9/20 – Berlin, Germany @ Velodrome *4/11/20 – Frankfurt, Germany @ Festhalle *4/12/20 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Hallenstadion *4/14/20 – Milan, Italy @ Mediolanum Forum *4/15/20 – Munich, Germany @ Zenith *4/17/20 – Hamburg, Germany @ Sporthalle *4/18/20 – Leipzig, Germany @ Leipzig Arena *4/20/20 – Dusseldorf, Germany @ Mitsubishi Hall *4/21/20 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Ziggo Dome *4/22/20 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Ziggo Dome *4/24/20 – Brussels, Belgium @ Palais 12 *4/26/20 – Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg @ Rockhal Main Hall *4/28/20 – Glasgow, U.K. @ The SSE Hyrdo *4/30/20 – Leeds, U.K. @ First Direct Arena * 5/1/20 – Birmingham, U.K. @ Arena Birmingham *5/14/20 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore * w/ Within Temptation
Tickets: https://www.worldscollidetour.net/

THE CHAIN (from Gears 5) coming Friday 11/22. Evanescence will host a Reddit AMA on Thursday at 5pm CT with the premiere of the official audio. Ask Amy Lee anything!

Pre-save here: https://evanescence.lnk.to/TheChainPreSave

And the news is….! We are very excited to announce that Synthesis Live with Orchestra, filmed on our tour by the one and only Paul Brown and mixed by Damian Taylor, will be available on DVD/Blu-Ray/Digital on 10/12. Pre-order your copy now! 🥂 http://smarturl.it/evanescencelive

So excited to start our summer tour tonight in Kansas City with Lindsey Stirling. Here’s a fun 360 video of Hi-Lo. (We have a surprise for you when we play it on this tour….)