The Open Door by Evanescence
The band brings back all it's power in it's second album released in the US with the Open Door. The lyrics and sound move up to a whole new level of power and depth.

Whew! Angst
Not many people do music like this anymore; you know the over the top heavy metal grunge hybrid that was so popular with kids in the late 90s, Live is gone, Candlebox has been snuffed out and yet Evanescence not only continues to do this type of music, they sell millions of gazillions of CDs doing it. Of course they do have the angst ridden Amy Lee to lead them, something those other bands never had.

Despite myself I really like Evanescence, the first album blew me away due to the fact that I didn't think it would ever get more than a passing glance on my CD shelf, but every now and then it ends up back on the stereo. So I figured I'd take a shot and get The Open Door. If you liked the first album, you're going to like this one. There's nothing new from the band, perhaps the songs are a tad more personal on the lyrical level, but Amy studied her Tori Amos lyric sheets and is a princess in training at lyrical ambiguity.

I can tell by her overpowering vocals and the band's rigid jumble of quiet guitars, louder and louder guitars and pounding drums that they are in pain, it's just hard to relate to what that pain is sometimes. Sometimes it's obvious, the first single "Call Me When You're Sober" couldn't be more direct, however that's the title, the lyrics aren't quite as simplistic, but it's still a really good songs.

In fact all the songs are really good, they're all heart wrenching and dripping with emotion, it's just that as a whole; the package can burn you out. 13 songs of bombastic woes and pain is a little too much for my little blonde head, but should I ever have a fight with my lovah, this one's going on the stereo and playing very loud.

Better than "Fallen"
"Fallen" is a great album, and "The Open Door" picks up where it's predecessor left off. A creative blend of melodic elements, grinding guitar, Amy Lee's piano work, stunning vocals and murky lyrics work very well to make the band's best effort to date.

This Album REALLY stinks!
I REALLY wish I had read the comments before purchasing.

Having been a fan since "Fallen", I thought that maybe
I would enjoy another great album. I love Amy Lee's
voice...Well this one was "the WORST music I have ever
heard."

The loud "Metalica like music" is all you hear. You can not
hear a word of what Amy Lee is saying in her lyrics.

Every single song is just awful.

I am SO disappointed.

Ok... just not what I would usually go for
The style of The Open Door was definintely different from that of Fallen and Anywhere But Home... the songs tended to be more depressing than usual and in the case of some, with more of a heavy metal style. Personally, I preferred the style of Fallen... but I'm still relatively happy with this album. Some of my favorites are Sweet Sacrifice, Call me When You're Sober, Lithium, and All That I'm Living For.