With the departure of founder member Ben Moody, following the band’s phenomenal breakthrough in 2003, the weight of expectation has fallen (no pun intended) on Amy Lee to produce Evanescence’s ‘difficult follow-up album’.

It’s evident throughout The Open Door that this is very much Amy’s album, from the fact that her and her piano take a more central stage to her personal lyrics, which sadly tend to be rather ham-fisted. Whiney single ‘Call Me When You’re Sober’ is a typical example, which could be directed at either Moody – apparently tackling drink problems – or former boyfriend Shaun Morgan of Seether (who, judging by the lyrics to ‘Sympathetic’ and ‘Fine Again’, isn’t exactly the most sober of individuals either). The same indulgent teen-angst themes recur throughout, with numerous references to loneliness, while ‘Lithium’ repeats the complaint “[you] just didn’t drink enough to say you love me”.

Musically also the album is rather more one-dimensional than its predecessor. For the most part, it combines piano-led ballads with straightforward nu-metal (programming courtesy of Limp Bizkit’s DJ Lethal). The gothic influences have been toned down; and though they resurface occasionally, such as in the backing choir in ‘Your Star’ or orchestral touches of ‘Lacrymosa’, they seem mere superficial additions instead of being integral elements of the songs. There are moments worthy of Fallen, such as ‘Lose Control’ (the closest this album gets to ‘Going Under’) and ‘Lithium’ (worthy of comparison to ‘My Immortal’), yet for the most part The Open Door just lacks the right blend. Musically it’s far behind peers like Lacuna Coil and Within Temptation and seems unlikely to repeat Fallen’s commercial success. Close the door on your way out…
(3/5)