Frivolous Tussle between Evanescence & Temptation

One thing I found fascinating was the heated and sometimes unfriendly comparisons between Within Temptation, Evanescence, and others. I was a huge fan both of them and found that they were two completely different bands. Evanescence emerged from Christian rock origins (Amy Lee repeatedly denied Evanescence was ever meant to be a Christian band). It evolved into hard rock with strong symphonic components, as Amy Lee took her own path from the beginning. Within Temptation grew out of Gothic Metal to Symphonic Metal, which combined hard rock and Symphonic Metal. Despite the fact that the personalities of both bands were at the same time, Within Temptation produced their first album (1997) before Evanescence was finally able (2003). I believe that this additional time and experience would help Within Temptation to define itself and improve its sound.

I see a clear difference between the compositions of the two bands. As the singer/songwriter, Amy Lee sang more personal songs than the final product. It felt that way, even though I don’t know for sure. It felt like Amy Lee was drawing from deep within herself, which resulted in very raw, personal, gritty, and sometimes sad music. These are my reasons this music is so great and why it’s something I love. But I don’t know if everyone loves it. Evanescence’s signature sound was created by Amy Lee’s powerful, haunting voice. This gives it an emotional quality that many can relate to. This is what I believe makes Evanescence stand out and unique.

Sharon den Adel sings and it is a different feeling. Within Temptation’s music is full of drama and a cinematic experience. Within Temptation songs were not the work of one person. They are a collective effort of many people who have a deep understanding of each other. I felt that the final product was very well-crafted, beautiful, and haunting. The music becomes personal as your imagination reaches for the lyrics. The songs are enriched, refined and meticulously crafted with the help of many hands. Whatever creative process Within Temptation employs, the ideas within the songs eventually take flight and become timeless for the listener.

Let me be clear: I don’t consider one better than the next. Both are different ways to capture moments of beauty in time. Metal Bands have the ability to and have successfully redefine themselves as their members leave. Amy Lee is Evanescence. Evanescence is impossible without Amy Lee. It felt like they were ready for a full-symphonic, gothic metal band from their last album. I personally would love to see them move away from the norm and into Symphonic Metal. They are, in my opinion, essentially there. But their live performances make them even more impressive. If Amy Lee or the band were thinking of doing that, I would be open to it and encourage them to do so. Artists, and everyone else, should be free to live their lives according to their own rules and not those of others. Although I can imagine that they might face resistance from their record labels, this is to be expected. It’s possible to be mainstream with alternative or hard rock, but not with metal, symphonic and otherwise.

If you haven’t already, here are the songs that were at the heart of the old controversy. Even more absurd is that the songs are four years apart. These two bands are great in 2 different genres. But, beyond superficial similarities, they are both unique and stand on their merits with their individual sound and feel. Each person is unique and has their own beauty.

Evanescence, Bring Me To Life official music video

What Have You Done – official music video, Within Temptation (2007)

This is a better comparison:

Evanescence (2011) – What You Want Official Music Video

Faster – Official music video for Within Temptation (2011)

Two great bands, two great sound, two different ways to put beauty on a canvas.