It's been 20 rotations around the sun since the release of Evanescence's debut studio album, 'Fallen'.
Man, oh man! I fell in love with it then and still have it rotating on random in my digital music library. More importantly, last night (24 August) I experienced the album live and loud at Brisbane's The Riverstage (24 August).Yep! Evanescence is touring in celebration of the album and have The Beautiful Monument as the teasers and tempters to warm our hips and lips before the headliners hit the stage.
Traffic is backed up for suburbs and cars leaving the university are at a standstill. I manage to get to the event and join the masses who helped make it a sell-out show. There are thousands here already, drinking, eating, queuing for merch!
And there are many more bums on the grass or blankets resting their legs, because let's face it we will all be in boogie mode soon enough. However, the die-hard fans are already stacked deep in front of the stage.
Pretty much bang on time The Beautiful Monument – Lizi Blanco (vocals), Amy McIntosh (bass), Adam Pinzone and (drums) Alex Manhire (guitar) – are before us. I've only seen this band live once before and it was love at first experience.
I witness Pinzone and Manhire being as one with their weapons of musical construction – flicking hair and twirling their axes in a state of non-choreographed performance bliss, while they skilfully play without missing a note.
The Australian four-piece seem to be taking it in their stride, in particular Blanco as she prowls the stage, at times hiding behind her long, dark, straight hair, only to flick it back to charge her pipes with air to deliver her powerful vocals.
The Beautiful Monument - image © Clea-marie Thorne
During their set I recognise 'Invisible', 'Deceiver', 'Burn' and 'Give Up' from their 'I'm The Reaper' album. While we are also treated to 'Manifestation', from 'I'm The Sin' and 'Misery', 'Stay' and this fan's second favourite TBM song, 'Hellbound' (my favourite is 'War').
A roaring cheer from the crowd tells me punters have relished their set.
Our wait for the main act is broken with Amy Lee's voice singing the intro to 'Broken Pieces Shine' to get the main show started – it's all big vocals, strings, tubs (and keys in the mix).
'What You Want' is followed by 'Going Under' that has front-row fans losing their sh.t and nearly losing their voices already. This is some insane fanatical love I'm witnessing front row and centre as heads are rocking on necks to 'Will Hunt's tubs perched way up high under the logo.
Evanescence - image © Clea-marie Thorne
'Take Cover' leads the band and the crowd into a mash up of 'Lose Control', 'Part Of Me', and 'Never Go Back' that has the fans feeling connected to other punters around them as we absorb the audible cocktail.
'Call Me When You're Sober' has the mosh choir-blowing diaphragms I am certain, while Lee is giving this anthemic tune a royal belting with her glorious pipes.
Evanescence relentlessly spoil us as 'Lithium' is embraced body and soul by punters who then take in the likes of 'Far From Heaven', 'Better Without You', 'Imaginary', and 'Wasted On You'.
Lee takes a minute to tell us how the band was missing something and she figured out it was an Aussie. Ha ha! She points out Emma Anzai (bass)!
Lee's voice pierces the night air with an immense siren solo that is reintroducing fans to 'End Of The Dream' with a rendition most in attendance have never heard before. It is nothing short of divine, the kind that gives you the shivers.
Evanescence - image © Clea-marie Thorne
I reckon she can sustain notes better than ever, and before she was brilliant! Are you picking up what I am putting down.
Lee has us swooning with her siren song. The effect draws the pack of punters close, like kindred spirits who were lost and now connect through these moments of nostalgia. The corners of my eyes are wet, I am breathing in rhythm with the music and exhaling joy of the present and sadness of the past in the same breath.
A gorgeous concoction of 'Haunted', 'My Last Breath', 'Cloud Nine', 'Everybody's Fool', 'Weight Of The World' and 'Whisper' is a medley to trump all sing-along medleys I've ever witnessed.
Evanescence - image © Clea-marie Thorne
The vibe has levelled up with immense guitar solos, Lee crooning on keys. I'm feeling scared for how hard and fast the crash might be when this show is sung and done!
'Use My Voice' follows and is a reminder from Lee to stick up for yourself – it's embraced by fans who are cheering and clapping at her command before again getting down to helping out with the vocals.
Image © Clea-marie Thorne
'Blind Belief' keeps us enthralled and is backed up by 'My Immortal' that has phones in the crowd mimicking Bic lighters back in the day, while Lee is faultless; to my ears she is sounding better than the recording ever did, and we all know just how good that was.
Fans are singing, smiling, holding hands to their chests and holding loved ones just that little bit closer. It feels so surreal.
There can only be one song left in the set list – that first crush of a song that has a spot inside the hearts of every Evanescence fan. Oh yes, and here we go!
Evanescence - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Once again a sea of smartphones is held high to capture the legendary 'Bring Me To Life' of not only the sounds of the band but the chorus of everyone here under the stars in the amphitheatre tonight. I feel so at home with this crowd and rip loose alongside them!
Sadly the pretty lights fade along with farewells of guitar picks, drum heads and blown kisses from the lovely Lee. It's over, but what a memory, what an experience.
If this show is coming to a town near you, you best believe it is an experience you need to have before sliding sideways into your grave – just saying.
More photos from the show.
