The Open Door

Album Review

Pro-Social Content

Isolated lines advocate honesty, forgiveness and sobriety, and resist the temptation to use others. On “Sweet Sacrifice” vocalist Amy Lee notes, “Fear is only in our minds.” She wraps an arm around the depressed and disenfranchised throughout “The Only One” and pleads, “Heaven shine a light down on me.” On “Good Enough,” Lee finally announces, “It’s been such a long time coming but I feel good,” though …

Objectionable Content

She’s still too dependent on others’ opinions and tells someone to “drink up sweet decadence.” Most of these melancholy dirges secrete gothic nihilism, dwelling on darkness and despair. “Like You” romanticizes joining a loved one in death (“I long to be like you/Lie cold in the ground like you”). “Sweet Sacrifice” angrily taunts an ex, “One sweet day, you’re gonna drown in my lost pain.” With churning guitars and existential angst, Lee cries, “If I can’t feel, I’m not mine/I’m not real” (“The Only One”).

Summary Advisory

The Open Door relates struggles to find wholeness and safety in relationships. These brooding odes dip into harsh sarcasm and suicidal musings, leaving little doubt that Evanescence is tired of being labeled a Christian act. “Can we please skip the Christian thing?,” Lee told Billboard. “I’m so over it. … I fought that from the beginning.”