A Review of Evanescence's Sanctuary

Words: Sam Drake

Photo by Chapman Baehler

Evanescence offer a safe haven with their sixth studio album, Sanctuary; an ethereal nostalgia trip that carries the gothic, alternative-metal sounds from the early 2000s into the modern day. The album marries modern metalcore synths with chunky guitars that call back to the early days of nu metal and emotion-filled lyrics that speak on and fight against the chaos of the world’s current climate.

After five years since their last album, The Bitter Truth, Sanctuary feels like a return to form for the band. It’s proof that they are able to change with the times without sacrificing the quintessential Evanescence sound that was woven into a generation of alternative kids, back when they released Fallen in 2003. Where The Bitter Truth was a jarring change, sonically, Sanctuary feels at home both in 2003 and in 2026 - it’s Fallen for the modern era.

Beautiful Lie is the opening track and it perfectly introduces the steady, chunky guitars of Troy McLawhorn and Tim McCord that take your hand and run with you throughout the album, like mischievous guides through a winding labyrinth. Paired with the heavy-hearted bass of Emma Anzai (her first album with the band) and the nostalgic beat of Will Hunt’s drums, Beautiful Lie is an excellent opener with synths that propel Evanescence into the modern metal scene with the likes of Bad Omens and Spiritbox.

I imagine that Amy Lee’s vocals are what sailors hear when they are led out to sea - a siren in the dark depths that carries a haunting, graceful sound. She exhibits what makes singing an art form, especially in the ballads How Do I Heal and Forever Without You. These are wistful, melancholic moments in the album that are beautifully tragic with a soft and slow piano and string composition behind them, that soundtrack a monochrome montage in the second act of a film. 

I truly believe that Amy Lee’s vocals thrive in these ballads but my favourite of her performances on the album is on track 4, Rapture. This song is, by far, one of my favourites on the album and I think perfectly encapsulates all that this album has to offer. The subtle control of the verses, the power of the guitars growing and growing, the electronic, synth-heavy breakdown, and the apocalyptic feel of the drums mixed with Lee’s incredible range of vocals - it’s all what makes Sanctuary special.

The final track, Wide Open Heart, closes out the adventure, but instead of an ending it feels like Alice’s descent into Wonderland - a new beginning. The chimes during the verses, though laced with whimsy, echo an urgency and a chaos that is ever-closing in. A chaos which crashes upon us with the heavy hitting drums in the chorus. "Facing the weight of the world / with a wide open heart", the lyrics of this final song are the views of an optimist being hit with the realism of the state of the world, and their fight to keep the love and joy in their heart despite it.

That is the message of Sanctuary; to keep fighting in the face of despair. And I think that they’ve delivered it beautifully.