Five years after *The Bitter Truth*, Evanescence present their next studio album, *Sanctuary* — a record heavily influenced by current global events. In a sense, the track "Afterlife" fits into this category too; although conceived and released as the soundtrack for the *Devil May Cry* animated series, it can certainly be viewed through a lens of social commentary. Musically, however, the most striking feature is the band's return to heavier territory. The opener, "Beautiful Lie," is a powerhouse interplay of delicate tones and pummeling riffs. "Tell Me When You Had Enough" continues in a similarly forceful yet melodic vein, featuring surprising, well-placed tempo shifts. In both tracks, the bass and guitar work occasionally evoke the sound of Korn. While "Who Will You Follow" begins — and in parts remains — sweet and gentle, the song as a whole surges forward with raw, brutal energy. On "Rapture" and the title track (which translates to "Refuge"), the previously subtle synth elements — leaning almost toward industrial music — are given much more space, yet the music loses none of its heaviness. It seems Amy Lee and her bandmates had a lot pent up inside. It is not until "How Do I Heal" that we encounter a ballad, composed of just three elements: piano, strings, and enchanting vocals. The same applies to "Forever Without You," a track where Amy seems to scream out sheer pain — it is truly heartbreaking. The remaining songs, too, are almost all worthy of being played on repeat — especially for die-hard fans.
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