With "The Bitter Truth", Evanescence ends a long wait. Setting aside "Synthesis," which was released in 2017 and featured only two new songs, it has been ten years since the last release. Amy Lee went through personal difficulties and took her time to come back. In addition, the pandemic delayed the release by a year and only a few singles kept the fans waiting.
Considering the popularity of the band, it is easy to guess the pressure around this album. Evanescence has no right to make mistakes. Between pop, gothic, symphonic and alternative, the band has always been able to find a balance carried by Amy Lee's pure voice and to avoid too commercial pitfalls. Will they be able to continue on this way?
"The Bitter Truth" consists of twelve tracks and has several facets that give it an interesting variety. Its heart comes from a lot of aerial and melancholic tracks with a depth not far from a trip-hop spirit, carried by the voice of a delicate and powerful Amy. The marriage of the aerial and the gothic proper to the band gives a very pleasant result.
Beside there are two tracks calibrated radio. 'Yeah Right' and 'Wasted On You' sound very pop, not far from a Katy Perry with catchy melodies and seductive vocals and have everything of hits in power. With 'Use My Voice', Amy invites her fellow singers to push a cry of feminist revolt, delivering a good gothic metal track as the band knows how to do. In this vein, 'Better Without You', 'Part Of Me' and 'Blind Belief' are effective; the punch and the well crafted melodies are not far from Within Temptation.
With "The Bitter Truth", Evanescence makes a nice return to business. It offers a good patchwork of its art and once again manages to keep its subtle balance. It also confirms the talent of Amy Lee, perfect boss of her band who impresses by her capacity to mix strength and fragility.