In support of their sixth studio album, ‘Sanctuary’, released on 5th June, alt-rock powerhouse Evanescence descended upon Manchester’s Co-op Live to both haunt and enrapture with their unmistakable sound and aesthetic.

First, K. Flay’s gutsy indie-pop delivers spot on support with uptempo guitar-driven rhythms seeped in grungy, rock sensibilities, ‘Raw Raw’ in particular’s harsh yet danceable groove thrills as Flay sings of the pain of being vulnerable. Poppy soon follows with an unusual range of tracks from the autotuned, dance-pop ‘crystallised’ to ‘Public Domain’ which blends a pop beat with aggressive rage and mosh-inducing resonance.

A gothic-laden Evanescence take the stage in their current lineup, consisting of: Troy McLawhorn (guitar and backing vocals); Tim McCord (guitar); Will Hunt (drums); Emma Anzai (bass); finally comes the band’s fundamental core, Amy Lee with her distinctive, jet black hair and industrial attire to match, instantly garnering screams before beginning their set with the title track from their new album. It creeps out of a light, blend and tease with ‘Bring Me To Life’, of which it melodically echoes, before the main vocalist utters the track’s commencing declaration, “This is for the ones who gather strength in silence”. Part anthem, part ballad, it embodies the band’s hybrid sound perfectly. Wails of “It’s never enough” end in an eruption of driving guitars and ricocheting drums to close the track out: providing furious, anarchic relief from the very first stop on the setlist.

Other new tracks roar with the same passion; ‘Tell Me When You’ve Had Enough’ rallies in with hints of personal and political rage (“We’ve all been used and sold out truth for sick fantasy”) and ‘Rapture’s looped, distorted rhythms and weighted drums makes it a true, histrionic headbanger.

It’s impossible not to think about the care Lee must put into preserving her voice because it barely differs from how she sounds on the studio tracks. ‘Call Me When You’re Sober’ is one that proves it as she belts the ever-rising-and-falling notes throughout the entire 2006 track. That said, a changing voice would not be a bad thing nor should it be held against artists, some of the very best musicians have seen their vocal ranges change and grow throughout their careers, but Amy Lee’s is one so powerful and unmistakable that it commands full attention and leaves no room for even a second of passive listening while she effortlessly soars her vocals to the heights of the arena.

When they throw it back to first–album hits like ‘Going Under’, of course the 23,000-capacity Co-op Live ignites with excitement, but we aren’t sat waiting for their turn on the setlist. Distinctive songwriting, breathtaking notes from Lee and fiery backing from the band paired with theatrics that bleed through each track prove Evanescence’s vision for pouring red raw emotion into heavy lyricism. Iconic is the piano melody that opens ‘Bring Me To Life’, the hit that really made them known which holds immense energy live. Here, it's performed without the male vocal heard on the original track - the audience cover this instead - as back in 2003 Lee was forced at add them by her label who didn’t think the track would go as far without them. She covers the rap herself and delivers a dominant rendition, one that feels more authentic knowing its the version she wanted.

K. Flay returns to the stage for her taunting collaboration with the band to ask, “But can you fight like a girl?”, with the 2025 single measuring up well with the calibre of the tracks before it, with Flay’s vocals and rap verse tearing through the crowd with a harsh bite without missing a beat.

When the searing strings and rumbling synths occasionally reduce to a simmer, Lee lowers into the stage and returns on a piano. When moving from wall-trembling songs of pure anguish to somber, slower tracks, an audience might anticipate this as a moment to detach. Not with Amy Lee. Ballads like ‘Lithium’ and ‘Like You’ stun the room into a trance-like gaze and harmony for those who know the words, the latter is one Lee points out is rarely performed live but on the setlist to celebrate 20 years since ‘The Open Door’. ‘My Immortal’ captures the utter sadness that Lee and original guitarist Ben Moody somehow managed to tear from their souls and pour into a heartbreaking ballad. It was Lee who composed the final, crushing bridge that closes out the track which ultimately causes a few thousand eyes to well up tonight.

Some tracks like ‘Wasted On You’ from their 2021 album ‘The Bitter Truth’ offer a mighty dose of melodrama with more pop-punk etiquette than their overall work but retaining their dark, unconventional sound. With the immeasurable success and worldwide popularity the band have gained, six albums in 23 years has at times left fans impatient for more (and is partially due to lineup changes, label issues and solo projects) but the result of this is an assured quality on every song throughout this setlist, which gives fair attention to each, and there are none that stick out as being less exciting than the other.

Evanescence bridge the gap between metal, rock and occasionally pop alongside ridiculously sharp precision - what they deliver live feels unique and sounds and looks stunning, brought to life by sky-high vocals that could surprise even the most modern speaker systems.

Kai Palmer

@kailewispalmer

Images: Outlast Photography 

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