Evanescence still knows how to bring St. Louis to life

More than two decades after Fallen turned Evanescence into one of the defining rock bands of the early 2000s, Amy Lee can still walk onto an arena stage and make the whole thing feel intimate. The band’s recent St. Louis show was big, loud, and impressively produced.

First up was Nova Twins, entertaining early fans at sundown.

The female-forward rock band is fierce just as much as they are seductive, with music that rocked the arena awake. Nova Twins is going places — just you watch!

Before long, it was time for the main event. Lee remains the obvious center of gravity throughout the set, moving from piano-driven ballads to full-throttle rock with a voice that has not lost any of its power. The rest of the band sounded heavier than nostalgia might suggest, giving songs like “Going Under”, “My Immortal”, and, inevitably, “Bring Me to Life” plenty of muscle.

And yes, thanks to Nathan Fielder in the TV series The Rehearsal, “Bring Me to Life” now carries a completely different kind of cultural baggage. If you’ve seen the show, it is difficult to hear the song’s opening without at least briefly wondering whether Captain Sully is somewhere nearby being forced to confront his deepest fears.

Fortunately, the comedic hot take doesn’t diminish the song.

If anything, it’s proof that Evanescence has somehow wandered back into the cultural conversation (although did they ever really leave it?). Their fanbase has grown up with them and revel in the band’s glory while standing packed in on the amphitheater lawn. You could feel the heat coming off the band’s massive pyro display all the way in the back.

I came away from Evanscence very impressed. This wasn’t a band phoning in a greatest hits victory lap; the band sounded sharp, dramatic, and very much alive. Which, after 20-plus years, is something you gotta respect.

Photography by Sean Rider

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