ALBUM REVIEW: Sanctuary by Evanescence
The evocative sounds of the one and only Evanescence calls us once again! The powerful 5-piece have just released their sixth album Sanctuary, and it is exactly what you would expect from them. Collaborating with former Bring Me The Horizon keyboardist and producer Jordan Fish, you can unmistakably hear his influences along the album, with modern electronic elements lacing into the crunchy instrumentals, the overall production of this album is thorough and well-rounded, maintaining the contemporary sound without erasing the melodramatic hues that Evanescence have carried through the alternatives charts for the past 20+ years.
Opening track A Beautiful Lie sets the tone for the listening experience with electronic pulses and staggered riffs.
Who Will You Follow starts with a tinkling piano and Amy Lee’s soft fluttering vocals, before launching into a riff that feels almost anthemic, a beat that you can’t help but rock you body in time to. I love Amy’s lyrics in this, they’re strong as always, to quote their interview with Rolling Stone AU/AZ, Amy states the theme of this track: “The song is about breaking through the lies, you know, to find each other, to find the humanity that absolutely exists within us and underneath it all.”
A personal favourite, Rapture starts with a quiet eerie lull, and carries a more electronic sound through the track. It feels otherworldly and dark.
Masterpiece song Afterlife was released previously in March 2025 as part of Netflix’s animated show Devil May Cry’s soundtrack, and it gave us the taste and glimpse in the new era of Evanescence’s sound.
Title track Sanctuary kicked in and made me stand alert immediately. The buzzing intro and Amy Lee’s gripping speech, alongside the thudding beat, almost like a heartbeat in your throat, felt like the quiet yet intimidating start of a gripping war cry. You can definitely hear Jordan Fish’s input in this track also, reaching the pinnacle of the track with overlapping soaring vocals building to a crescendo to what I can only describe as a dirty riff.
How Do I Feel and Forever Without You, slow the world down utterly, allowing the sounds of Amy’s ephemeral vocals and her forever quintessential piano to fill the void, creeping into any gaps of your heart. I’m not going to lie to you all, upon hearing Forever Without You, I absolutely bawled like a baby. The lyrics are beautiful, Amy is gentle in just the right places. It feels like a song of painful acceptance, and getting closure.
This album is another remarkable piece to add to the discography. Ultimately, Sanctuary succeeds as both a refuge and rallying cry: an album that honors Evanescence’s legacy and sound while staking a credible claim on the present.
Review by Neve Saltmarsh.