The Bitter Truth Explained

The Bitter Truth
Type:studio
Artist:Evanescence
Cover:EvanescenceTheBitterTruth.png
Alt:A woman is showing her lower face as she is against a black background. She is opening her mouth, exposing a pill above her tongue with a drawn face in it. The words "Evanescece" are placed above her while the words "The Bitter Truth" are placed beneath her, stylized in all capital letters.
Recorded:January–November 2020
Studio:
  • Rock Falcon, Nashville
  • Blackbird, Nashville
  • Ocean Way, Nashville
Genre:
Length:47:19
Label:BMG
Producer:Nick Raskulinecz
Prev Title:Synthesis
Prev Year:2017

The Bitter Truth is the fifth studio album by American rock band Evanescence. After pandemic delays, it was released on March 26, 2021, through BMG Rights Management. Produced by Nick Raskulinecz, it is the band's first album of all-new material since their 2011 self-titled third album. The Bitter Truth received a generally positive critical reception. It reached number 11 on the US Billboard 200, top five on the Billboard Independent, Alternative, Hard Rock, and Rock Albums charts, and the top 10 of multiple international album charts.

Background and recording

Lead vocalist Amy Lee first spoke about a new studio album for the band in July 2018. In an interview with Detroit radio station WRIF, Lee confirmed that the band planned to work on a new album following the end of their tour in support of Synthesis.[1] [2]

In an interview with Sirius XM backstage at Epicenter Festival at Rockingham Speedway in May 2019, Lee again confirmed that a new album was in the works.[3] Blabbermouth.net reported that Lee was hoping the album would be ready for release in 2020. "We're just gonna get together and see what happens this month," she said, "and start doing that more regularly until we feel like we're ready to do it."[4]

Lee then provided an update on the album in November 2019, while taking part in a Reddit AMA.[5] Responding to a question pertaining to new music from the band, Lee commented that she was "absolutely living in it" and was "listen[ing] to our new music every day."[6]

The band entered the studio in January 2020 with Nick Raskulinecz,[7] with whom they had previously worked on 2011's Evanescence.[8] Although originally planning to work with several producers across the album, the band's plans changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This then turned Raskulinecz into The Bitter Truths sole producer. In August, the U.S.-based band members returned into the studio to finish writing and recording after taking COVID tests, and German guitarist Jen Majura had to work remotely.[9] On September 9, the album was nearing completion, with "70% done".[10] Recording was completed in November.[11]

The album was announced in April 2020, and was originally planned for release in late 2020.[12] The pandemic delayed the album's completion, however, and eventually pushed it to a March 2021 release.[13]

Lee talked about the core theme of the album:

Composition

The album is described as alternative metal,[14] gothic metal,[15] heavy metal,[16] and hard rock.[17]

Amy Lee disclosed the inspiration behind the new songs in a Marie Claire interview:

"Yeah Right", "Feeding the Dark", and "Take Cover", the latter previously debuted live in the 2016 live shows, were originally written for the 2011 self-titled album, but were reworked a decade later.[18] [19] [20] [21]

Release and promotion

The Bitter Truth was first announced with the release of its lead single, "Wasted on You", in April 2020.[22] Its second single, "The Game Is Over", followed in July.[23] The band released an additional two singles in August's "Use My Voice"[24] and December's "Yeah Right" (as a promotional one).[25] The former featured guest vocalists from bands such as Veridia, Within Temptation, The Pretty Reckless and Halestorm.[26] The latter, meanwhile, was released to coincide with the announcement of the album's tracklist and release date. The fourth single, "Better Without You", was released on March 5, 2021.[27]

To promote the album in advance, the band performed the first single "Wasted on You" at the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show on February 19, 2021.[28] The band also toured Europe in 2022, in a co-headlining tour alongside Within Temptation.[29] [30]

Reception

Critical reception

The Bitter Truth received a positive critical reception.[31] [32] On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has a weighted average score of 78 based on eight reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Dannii Leivers of Metal Hammer deemed the album "darkly emotional, empowering and politically charged", which is "nestled between the bold and the familiar" and has "some surprises up its sleeve".[33] [34] Writing for Rolling Stone, Jon Dola complimented Lee's songwriting and her ability to "sound intimate and revealing even when the music engulfs her in a maelstrom", calling the album a "take-no-prisoners battle for redemption" that bares "life's battle scars".[35] In Renowned for Sound, Mike Corner said the record "remains satisfyingly heavy throughout", and in combination with Lee's vocals it reminds how deftly Evanescence can "harness the power of heavy rock music".[36]

Josh Weiner from Atwood Magazine praised the album's energy, instrumental work, emotional range and uplifting theme of perseverance, concluding that "Evanescence prove that they're still a hugely compelling act" and "all of the band's positive virtues have endured".[37] Entertainment Weekly writer Sydney Bucksbaum said Lee's voice "has never sounded more passionate than it does on The Bitter Truth".[38] Neil McCormick of The Daily Telegraph felt that the mature tone and sharp lyrics "make up for an old-fashioned sound".[39] For Gigwise, Vicky Greer regarded the album a "bold show of emotions that occasionally gets lost in translation" as the "vocals and lyrics are somewhat lost in production, lacking a certain emphasis – if you don’t listen at maximum volume, you might miss out on some of the finer details of the album."[40] Los Angeles Timess Suzy Exposito said Lee wrote "her fiercest songs to date" and "Evanescence continues to own the space where frosty electronic currents collide with volcanic surges of metal catharsis and coagulate into hard rock candy".[41] The Bitter Truth is a "beast of many moods" endowed with "stellar" musicianship and vocals, Garry Bushell reviewed in Daily Express.[42] Danielle Chelosky wrote in Spin that Lee's strength "is clearer than ever, and she's reclaiming even more this time", while the "reckoning and pain" of experiences permeates the album with "vivid imagery", vulnerability and empowerment alongside a "bigger and bolder" sound.[43]

Kerrang!s Nick Ruskell said The Bitter Truth offers "comfort, catharsis and a new perspective", with Lee's contemplations looking outward as much as inward in forward-thinking notion alongside an "ever-expanding musical palette, still rooted in the vaguely gothy metal of old, but now with the heaviness taken further and punctuated with electronics and keyboards".[44] Thomas Green of The Arts Desk considered the album "a sturdy testament to lead singer and band-boss Amy Lee's continuing surety of vision".[45] Reviewing for Consequence, Claire Colette viewed the record as an "triumphant" return, "reminiscent of the band's older material but also entirely fresh", with the band's passion and energy "evident throughout" and Lee's "immense talent as a vocalist and songwriter consistently shining through".[46] The album was deemed "emotionally charged" by Scott Mervis of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,[47] and "dynamic" by Chicago Sun-Times writer Selena Fragassi.[48] Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic called it "one of the band's most engaging works, balancing sonic power with Lee's inimitable vocals and songwriting", and carrying listeners "on a journey both familiar and fresh ... pushing Evanescence into the future with a graceful maturity and worldly perspective."[49] Revolver called The Bitter Truth a "triumphant statement of perseverance, with Lee seizing her role as alt-metal elder stateswoman for some of the hardest hitting songs of her career."[50]

Accolades

PublicationAccoladeRank
AllMusicFavorite Metal Albums 2021—[51]
Audio Ink RadioBest 50 Rock And Metal Songs of 2021 ("Better Without You")—[52]
Carretera y MantaTop 15 Best Albums of the Year8[53]
Confraria FloydstockThe 25 Best Albums of 2021—[54]
ConsequenceTop Metal & Hard Rock Albums26[55]
Global Metal ApocalypseGlobal Metal Apocalypse (GMA) Awards 2021 - The Results5[56]
GoldmineFabulous Albums of 20216[57]
Fabulous Songs of 2021 ("Use My Voice")3
Kerrang!The 50 Best Albums of 202149[58]
Reader's Poll Results - Song Of The Year ("Better Without You")4[59]
Knac.comHalo's Top Ten Releases for 20212[60]
Lost Between the PagesFavorite Albums of 2021—[61]
LoudwireThe 45 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 202125[62]
The 35 Best Rock Songs Of 2021 ("Better Without You")9[63]
Metal HammerTop 10 Alternative Metal Albums of 20213[64]
Notizie MusicaTop 10 Albums of 20218[65]
Quarter Rock PressThe 50 Best Albums of the Year 20218[66]
The 50 Best Songs of the Year 2021 ("Better Without You")11[67]
RevolverFan Poll: 10 Best Albums of 20213[68]
Riff108 Best Albums of 202141[69]
Roadie CrewBest Of 2021 (Fan Poll)8[70]
Rock SoundAlbums of the Year 2021—[71]
WikimetalTop 50 Best Rock & Metal Albums of 20214[72]

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Bitter Truth.[73]

Evanescence

Additional musicians

Additional personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Croatian Albums (HDU)[75] 28
Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[76] 38
Slovak Albums (ČNS IFPI)[77] 96
Swedish Hard Rock Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[78] 6

Year-end charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Position
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[79] 97
US Top Current Album Sales (Billboard)[80] 80
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[81] 46
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[82] 93

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Edition(s)Label
JapanMarch 24, 2021CDJapanese[83]
Deluxe [84] [85]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Radio Chatter with Amy Lee from Evanescence . July 9, 2018 . 101 WRIF.
  2. Web site: EVANESCENCE's AMY LEE: 'The Plan Is For Us To Work On A New Album Next' . Blabbermouth.net . July 11, 2018 . December 29, 2020.
  3. Web site: Amy Lee of Evanescence Talks Upcoming Album & More . YouTube . Sirius XM.
  4. Web site: AMY LEE: EVANESCENCE Will 'Hopefully' Release New Album In 2020 . Blabbermouth.net . May 11, 2019 . December 29, 2020.
  5. Web site: I am Amy Lee from Evanescence, our new song "The Chain (from Gears 5)" is out tonight! AMA . Reddit . November 21, 2019. December 29, 2020.
  6. Web site: 9 Things We Learned From Evanescence's Amy Lee's Reddit AMA . Kerrang! . November 22, 2019 . December 29, 2020.
  7. Web site: Meredith. Kyle. February 22, 2020. Evanescence on the Influence of Stevie Nicks and Portishead. Consequence of Sound. WFPK Radio. December 29, 2020.
  8. Web site: Goodwyn . Tom . Hear Evanescence's comeback single 'What You Want' – audio . NME . August 9, 2011 . BandLab Technologies . December 29, 2020.
  9. Spanos. Brittany. Brittany Spanos . 2020-11-16. Evanescence's Amy Lee Gets Back to Life. 2021-04-25. Rolling Stone. en-US.
  10. Web site: Garner. George. 2020-09-09. Evanescence: Why Amy Lee is done being silent. 2021-04-25. Kerrang!.
  11. Titus. Christa. 2021-04-02. The Not-So 'Bitter Truth' About Evanescence's First Album of New Music in a Decade. 2021-04-25. Billboard. en.
  12. Web site: Badra . Cat . EVANESCENCE ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM, 'THE BITTER TRUTH'; READIES NEW SINGLE . Audio Ink Radio . April 20, 2020 . December 27, 2020.
  13. Web site: 50 MOST ANTICIPATED ALBUMS OF 2021 IN ALTERNATIVE, METAL AND BEYOND . Alternative Press . December 16, 2020 . December 27, 2020.
  14. Web site: Hobson. Rich. December 16, 2021. Top 10 alt-metal albums of 2021. December 21, 2021. Metal Hammer.
  15. Evanescence Search for Goth-Metal Meaning on 'The Bitter Truth'. Dolan. Jon. Rolling Stone. April 7, 2021. August 26, 2021.
  16. Web site: Evanescence's Amy Lee finds a new voice on new album The Bitter Truth. Exposito. Suzy. April 19, 2021. August 26, 2021.
  17. Web site: Evanescence's The Bitter Truth is bombastic, ordinary hard-rock. Financial Times. Hunter-Tilney. Ludovic. March 26, 2021. March 26, 2021.
  18. Web site: 2020-12-04 . Yeah right was a song I started 10 years ago with our good friend Will B. Hunt (the other one! Synthesis/DTM etc). After our self titled album went in a different direction... . 2022-10-20 . Twitter . en.
  19. Web site: Lach . Stef . 2016-11-16 . Evanescence inspired by reaction to new song Take Cover . 2022-10-20 . loudersound . en.
  20. Web site: Garner . George . 2021-03-10 . "I needed to face the abyss head on": Evanescence's Bitter Truth laid… . 2022-10-20 . Kerrang! . en.
  21. Web site: Amondaray . Milagros . 2021-03-26 . Amy Lee habla sobre el regreso de Evanescence: "Cuando nació la banda el rock era mainstream, ahora está en los márgenes" . 2022-10-20 . LA NACION . es.
  22. Web site: Divita . Joe . Amy Lee Shines In New Evanescence Song 'Wasted on You' . Loudwire . April 24, 2020 . December 27, 2020.
  23. Shaffer . Clare . Evanescence Reject Unfair Rules on New Song 'The Game is Over' . Rolling Stone . July 2020 . December 27, 2020.
  24. Web site: Neale . Matthew . Evanescence's Amy Lee explains why she's speaking up about politics now . NME . August 23, 2020 . BandLab Technologies . December 27, 2020.
  25. Web site: English . Laura . Evanescence Share New Single 'Yeah Right', Reveal Album Details . Music Feeds . December 6, 2020 . Evolve Media . December 27, 2020.
  26. Web site: Rose . Anna . Amy Lee, Lzzy Hale, Taylor Momsen and more unite in new Evanescence single 'Use My Voice' . MSN . Microsoft News . August 14, 2020.
  27. Web site: Listen to Amy Lee's fierce declaration of independence on Evanescence's new single, Better Without You . Louder Sound . March 5, 2021 . March 26, 2021 . en.
  28. Web site: Friday, Feb. 19 Kate Hudson ("Music"), Dominique Fishback ("Judas and the Black Messiah"), Musical Guest Evanescence . ABC . Jimmy Kimmel Live . February 23, 2021.
  29. Web site: Evanescence And Within Temptation Postpone Worlds Collide Tour To 2021. Kerrang!. June 22, 2020. June 22, 2020. en.
  30. Web site: April 2021. Evanescence and Within Temptation push back European tour to 2022. 2021-04-25. Metal Hammer Magazine. en.
  31. Web site: PAPER TRAILS: 2 musicians' albums earn critics' lauds. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. April 4, 2021. January 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20210405043053/https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/apr/04/2-musicians-albums-earn-critics-lauds/. April 5, 2021. live.
  32. Web site: VIDEO: Evanescence release 'Better Without You' video & announce free livestream event. The Rockpit. April 19, 2021. January 9, 2023.
  33. Web site: Evanescence's The Bitter Truth: an emotive and empowered rock album for our times. Metal Hammer. Dannii. Leivers. March 22, 2021. January 9, 2023.
  34. Web site: Every Evanescence album ranked from worst to best. Metal Hammer. Dannii. Leivers. April 5, 2021. January 9, 2023.
  35. Dolan. Jon. Evanescence Search for Goth-Metal Meaning on 'The Bitter Truth'. Rolling Stone. July 8, 2022. April 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20221230064751/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/evanescence-bitter-truth-album-review-1147411/. December 30, 2022. live.
  36. Web site: Album Review: Evanescence – The Bitter Truth. Renowned for Sound. Mike. Corner. 2021. January 9, 2023.
  37. Web site: Our Take: Evanescence Dazzle Like The Seasoned Rock Veterans They Are On 'The Bitter Truth'. Atwood Magazine. June 8, 2021. Josh. Weiner. January 9, 2023.
  38. Voice Notes: How Evanescence's Amy Lee brought her powerful vocals to life. Entertainment Weekly. March 23, 2021. Sydney. Bucksbaum. January 9, 2023.
  39. Web site: The Bitter Truth by Evanescence, review: a crisis of faith gives an edge to the Christian rock band's latest album. The Daily Telegraph. Neil. McCormick. March 25, 2021. March 29, 2021.
  40. Web site: Album Review: Evanescence - The Bitter Truth. Gigwise. Vicky. Greer. March 22, 2021. March 29, 2021. March 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210324040913/https://www.gigwise.com/reviews/3397125/album-review-evanescence-the-bitter-truth. dead.
  41. Web site: Evanescence's Amy Lee finds a new voice in 'The Bitter Truth'. Los Angeles Times. April 5, 2021. Suzy. Exposito. https://web.archive.org/web/20210521182727/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-04-05/amy-lee-evanescence-q-a. May 21, 2021.
  42. Web site: Evanescence's The Bitter Truth is blessed with stellar musicianship. Daily Express. Garry. Bushell. March 26, 2021. January 9, 2023.
  43. Web site: Chelosky. Danielle . Evanescence Are Stronger and Louder Than Ever . Spin. July 8, 2022 . March 24, 2021.
  44. Web site: Ruskell. Nick. Album review: Evanescence – The Bitter Truth . Kerrang!. March 26, 2021. March 25, 2021.
  45. Web site: Theartsdesk on Vinyl 64: Chet Baker, Lava La Rue, Bob Mould, Krust, The Yardbirds, The Fratellis and more. The Arts Desk. Thomas H. Green. May 17, 2021. January 9, 2023.
  46. Web site: Colette. Claire . Evanescence Boldly Confront The Bitter Truth: Review. Consequence. March 25, 2021. March 29, 2021.
  47. Web site: Q&A: Amy Lee and Lzzy Hale pour passion into Evanescence/Halestorm tour. December 9, 2021. Scott. Mervis. January 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20211210000530/https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2021/12/09/Evanescence-Halestorm-tour-Petersen-Events-Center/stories/202112030103. December 10, 2021. live.
  48. Web site: Evanescence hopes new album can help heal during a time of heartbreak. December 8, 2021. Selena. Fragassi. Chicago Sun-Times. January 9, 2021.
  49. Web site: Yeung. Neil Z.. Evanescence - The Bitter Truth. AllMusic. March 26, 2021. March 26, 2021.
  50. Web site: 20 Best Albums of 2021 So Far. Revolver. June 14, 2021. January 9, 2023.
  51. Web site: Year In Review 2021 - Favorite Metal. AllMusic. January 17, 2022.
  52. Web site: Best Rock and Metal Songs 2021. Audio Ink Radio. December 15, 2021. January 17, 2022.
  53. Web site: Top 15 Best Albums of the Year. Carretera y manta. December 26, 2021. January 16, 2022. es.
  54. Web site: The 25 Best Albums of 2021. Confraria Floydstock. December 30, 2021. January 18, 2022. pt.
  55. Web site: Top 30 Metal and Hard Rock Albums of 2021. Consequence. December 15, 2021. January 16, 2022.
  56. Web site: Global Metal Apocalypse (GMA) Awards 2021 - The Results. Global Metal Apocalypse. January 8, 2022. January 9, 2022.
  57. News: Fabulous Albums and Songs of 2021. Goldmine. December 27, 2021. January 17, 2022.
  58. Web site: The 50 Best Albums of 2021. Kerrang!. December 10, 2021. January 3, 2022.
  59. Web site: The 2021 Reader's Poll Results. Kerrang!. December 21, 2021. January 17, 2022.
  60. Web site: Knac.com Staff Top Ten Releases For 2021 . Knack.com. Petro. Larry. December 31, 2021. January 16, 2022.
  61. Web site: Favorite Albuns of 2021. Lost Between the Pages. December 26, 2021. January 17, 2022.
  62. Web site: The 45 Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2021. Loudwire. December 10, 2021. December 10, 2021.
  63. Web site: The 35 Best Rock Songs Of 2021. Loudwire. December 8, 2021. January 18, 2022.
  64. Web site: Top 10 alt-metal albums of 2021. Metal Hammer. December 17, 2021. January 26, 2022.
  65. Web site: Il 2021 in dieci album: ecco i dischi più importanti dell'anno. Notizie Musica. December 31, 2021. January 16, 2022. it.
  66. Web site: TopQRP 2021 Mejores Discos. Quarter Rock Press. December 31, 2021. January 26, 2022. es.
  67. Web site: TopQRP Mejores Canciones 2021. Quarter Rock Press. November 4, 2021. January 26, 2022. es.
  68. Web site: Fan Poll: 10 Best Albums of 2021. Revolver. December 1, 2021. January 17, 2022.
  69. Web site: The 108 Best Albums of 2021. Riff. December 6, 2021. January 3, 2022.
  70. Web site: MELHORES DE 2021 segundo os leitores da ROADIE CREW. Roadie Crew. February 7, 2022. February 7, 2022. pt. February 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220207130357/https://roadiecrew.com/melhores-de-2021-segundo-os-leitores-da-roadie-crew-resultado-final-2-2/. dead.
  71. Web site: Albums of the Year 2021. Rock Sound. December 17, 2021. January 17, 2022.
  72. Web site: Top 50 Best Rock & Metal Albums of 2021. Wikimetal. December 22, 2021. January 16, 2022. pt.
  73. The Bitter Truth. liner notes. Evanescence. . 2021.
  74. 【ICRT Reaching Out】Amy Lee - Evanescence Interview. Amy Lee. DJ Joey. May 22, 2020. May 22, 2020. ICRT. YouTube.
  75. Web site: Lista prodaje 15. tjedan 2021. (05.04.2021. - 11.04.2021.). April 19, 2021. Top of the Shops. hr. April 19, 2021.
  76. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2021/04/05. Billboard Japan. ja. March 31, 2021. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210401124315/http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2021&month=04&day=05. April 1, 2021.
  77. Web site: Slovak Albums – Top 100. ČNS IFPI. April 19, 2021. Note: On the chart page, select SK - ALBUMS - TOP 100 and 202115 on the field besides the word "Zobrazit", and then click over the word to retrieve the correct chart data.
  78. Web site: Veckolista Hårdrock, vecka 13. sv. Sverigetopplistan. April 19, 2021.
  79. Web site: Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts 2021. GfK Entertainment charts. de. January 9, 2022.
  80. Web site: Year-End Charts: Top Album Sales (2021). Billboard. March 25, 2024.
  81. Web site: Year-End Charts: Top Alternative Albums (2021). Billboard. December 30, 2021.
  82. Web site: Year-End Charts: Top Rock Albums (2021). Billboard. December 14, 2021.
  83. Web site: The Bitter Truth [通常盤] [SHM-CD]]. Universal Music Japan. February 3, 2021.
  84. Web site: The Bitter Truth [初回限定盤デラックス・エディション][SHM-CD]]. Japanese . . February 7, 2021.
  85. Web site: The Bitter Truth [SHM-CD+DVD] [Deluxe Edition (Limited Edition)] [Japan Bonus Track]]. CDJapan. February 7, 2021.

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