I was on the way home, sitting next to my friend on the bus. We were having a session of music trading. I would put a really good rock song in her earbuds, while she did the same to me. 4 songs in, and I was introduced to “Everybody’s Fool,” a product of Evanescence’s “Fallen.” I remember thinking, “Wow, the guitar, the emotions, and her voice are so strong.” Before you know it, I was stuck in the trance of Evanescence. 

Evanescence is an active American rock band, which was founded in 1994. Their music caught the attention of tweens and teens in the early 2000’s, with the angsty and emotional elements to grasp the likings of the youth. I don’t mean an underground, emo rock band. Evanescence has managed to sell over 31 million albums alone. The band would start when 13-year-old Amy Lee meets 14-year-old Ben Moody at a youth camp in Little Creek, Arkansas. Around 6 years later they dropped their very first album “Origin,” but they weren’t signed until a year later, after Wind-Up Records heard “My Immortal.”

What set Evanescence apart from other rock bands in the 2000’s, was the female lead, which was noticeably rare back then. Any band that wanted to be taken seriously back in the 2000’s, kept it safe with a male lead. The lead wasn’t the only thing that made this band unique, but Amy Lee’s melodic voice pouring out the dark lyrics of each song, added to the popularity of Evanescence. The band’s songs covered relatable topics such as breakups and toxic relationships, naturally drawing early teenagers in. The emotion and heart-touching lyrics reached out to the teens of early 2000’s.

A song that caught my attention the most was “Call Me When You’re Sober,’ a heartbreaking song featured on her album, “The Open Door.” This song typically goes over the emotions of having a partner or loved one with a bad drug habit. Amy Lee is in conflict with this character’s tendency to leave her to do these drugs, then call or cry to her whenever they’re under the influence. In the lyrics, Amy Lee is standing up for herself, and calling things off with said person, stating “Don’t cry to me/If you loved me/you would be here with me,” later stating, “You never call me when you’re sober.” With the current time that this was released, and even now, I feel as though the lyrics to this song can touch the hearts of many youth, seeming drugs take loved ones away, physically and emotionally, everyday. With the lack of direction in the lyrics, any person can feel these lyrics and hear them for anyone in their lives with these issues. 

So why is Evanescence gaining popularity again? It all started with a trend on social media app, TikTok. The trend was based on the song “Bring Me To Life” featured on Fallen. 

Fallen was the album that really made Evanescence the band it became. The album opens with “Going Under,” a track that hits hard with its mix of emotional guitars and dark, intense lyrics. But it’s the second track, “Bring Me to Life,” that truly changed everything. That moment when Amy Lee’s powerful voice cracks through the static, demanding “Wake me up inside,” became an anthem for anyone who felt trapped in their own head. The song grabbed the world by the collar and didn’t let go. It’s easy to forget now, but back then, it was everywhere. Still, these lyrics are popular on social media platforms. 

Amy Lee’s voice is the heartbeat of the album. There’s something so vulnerable and intense about how she pushes out every line, whether she’s delivering the delicate piano ballad “My Immortal” or getting lost in the intensity of “Tourniquet.” Her ability to express emotion is unmatched; there’s this sense that every song is a piece of her soul laid bare, and you can’t help but connect with it.

Lyrically, Fallen dives deep into themes of confusion, loss, and searching for meaning, with each track feeling like a conversation with your own darkest thoughts. There’s no fluff here, just raw, unfiltered emotion, whether it’s frustration at the world (“Everybody’s Fool”) or frustration with yourself (“Tourniquet”).

When Fallen hit it big, it wasn’t just because of one song. It was the combination of the beauty of “My Immortal,” the grungy intensity of “Going Under,” and the force of “Bring Me to Life.” Evanescence had captured something that touched deeply with a whole generation, and Fallen became more than just an album, it became a lifeline.

Just about two decades later, it’s easy to see how Fallen shaped the early 2000s rock scene. It wasn’t just another alt-rock record; it was a moment in time, and it continues to carry nostalgia for those who remember what it was like to lose yourself in their songs.