"The Open Door" is the 2nd studio album by American rock band, Evanescence. It was released in 2006 on Wind-up Records and produced by Dave Fortman. The line-up for the album was Amy Lee (vocals), Terry Balsamo (guitar), John LeCompt (guitar), Will Boyd (bass) and Rocky Gray (drums).

Raw emotion, ravaging pain and fears of the future of your career are never easy. They do, however, tend to add artistically to the project a musician is working on at the time they are being experienced. All the emotions Amy Lee was going through during the time her relationship with Ben Moody was spiralling out of control and ending, and the uncertainty of the future of Evanescence as a result, flowed though into the lyrics of the songs on this album.

All the pain and uncertainty felt as Lee and Moody were struggling to hang on to what once has been captured in the feel of these songs. There is an almost jagged edge to the emotion, cocooned in a dark innocence which could not be felt if someone performed the songs without experiencing the pain. Although their first album, "Fallen" was brilliant by any standard, "The Open Door" has a maturity and depth of emotion that take it to a new level. There are many moments of pure rock joy. Very emotional piano, melodies and growling guitar riffs together make an amazing background for Lee's beautiful, unrestrained vocals.

There are the slightest of changes to their style, showing a growth, musically, without changing their sound. Although each song is stellar with just a casual listen, when you truly pay attention you get the full effect of the depth and underlying emotion, while noticing the layers of music that combine to give the overall sound. Although not every song may be to your liking on the album, Evanescence can't be faulted for their artistic devotion to each track.

"Sweet Sacrifice" is radio friendly but certainly doesn't feel as if it has been toned down to suit a wider audience. The thundering guitars make it a great choice to start things off with. Amy Lee's voice makes the song shine in a way no other voice could.

"Call Me When You're Sober" really is an angry song, with thinly veiled venom released with every word. It is Amy Lee's outlet for her feelings toward ex-boyfriend Shaun Morgan, front man for the band Seether. The way the guitars duel on rhythm and melody lines is fantastic.

"Weight of the World" is a fast paced rocker. The catchy verses are even better than the chorus. As you listen you feel the surge of hope that comes from not wanting to be held down by who you are and the way you have lived your life.

"Lithium" could easily describe depression, and it has been said by some it describes Amy Lee's battle with depression. Piano and strings showcase Lee's stunning vocals as her voice soars on this one. You get a sense of the range she is capable of as her voice expands and lifts.

"Cloud Nine" is gothic and ever so slightly spooky. It manages to grab hold of you and stays with you. The lyrics are very soul baring and the emotion in them conveys raw pain, with a sense of hopelessness. Listening to this song helps to understand the emotions someone goes through when they hit the point where they think all is lost and there is nowhere to turn.

"Snow White Queen" seems a bit chaotic, but that feeling mirrors the feelings being conveyed in the song. The music is an odd but interesting goth rock and techno blend that works well together. Oddly creepy, the lyrics are about a stalker and his victim.

"Lacrymosa" is a classically influenced song. The melody is haunting and beautiful in a soul stirring way. The fascinating choice of strings, piano, guitar and choir blend to perfection and the song simply soars.

"Like You" is a piano based, mid tempo song. The guitars are almost hidden in the background until the crescendo. At that moment they are set free. The lyrics are a heartfelt cry of loss and the pain of missing her sister who has passed away. The music of the song adds to the feel of ebb and flow of pain, from sharp agony of loss to the dull ache of always missing the person and back.

"Lose Control" is a dark, haunting piano melody with guitars at the chorus. There are some very clever lyrics in this track. You feel she wants to let go but is afraid what might happen if she relaxes the tight control she has over her life and her emotions, letting loose what has been bottled up inside for so long.

"The Only One" is dark, with a stark feel of hopelessness. The song is very strong, emotionally, but as you listen, you can feel it is about someone barely hanging on by a thread. Desperation for someone to lead the way, someone to take charge and guide everyone out of the darkness seems to be the underlying theme.

"Your Star" is underrated by so many people. There is far more to it than what it seems from a casual listen. The verse starts off slow, but builds at to the chorus. The very deep emotions running under the surface could apply to a breakup, shattered dreams or any number of life altering situations.

"All That I'm Living For" is piano based and contains an outpouring of emotion with the vocals. The lyrics have a definite feel for Lee's feelings and dreams for the band and her life, and how those feelings and dreams, along with the rest of her, changed with the breakup and Moody's departure from the band.

"Good Enough" is another deeply emotional track. The haunting beauty of the piano, with soaring strings in the background, is utterly stunning. Add vocals desperately full of pain lending even more beauty to an already amazing voice, and you have a masterpiece. The song is a catharsis of the deeply cutting pain of lost love, lost dreams and fragile feelings that go with them.

In summary, this is one album I would insist others take the time to listen to if they haven't heard it before. It is rare for me to enthuse this much over an album, but with each listen I hear something I haven't heard before, and am always pleasantly surprised by the depth and complexity of each song. The haunting beauty of Amy Lee's voice captures the pain she has felt and conveys it in each track.

1. Sweet Sacrifice
2. Call Me When You're Sober
3. Weight of the World
4. Lithium
5. Cloud Nine
6. Snow White Queen
7. Lacrymosa
8. Like You
9. Lose Control
10. The Only One
11. Your Star
12. All That I'm Living For
13. Good Enough

My rating: 10/10