After an album that divided fans following more than a decade of anticipation (The Bitter Truth, released in 2021), most people likely did not expect a new effort from Amy Lee’s band in little more than half that time. Set in motion by the departure of Jen Majura, the band’s guitarist for seven years, Sanctuary began taking shape shortly after Emma Anzai took over bass duties and Tim McCord returned to guitar—an instrument he has always maintained was more “his thing.” Despite the many factors that contributed to the lukewarm reception of the previous work from Evanescence’s loyal fanbase—including a muddy mix and final production touches that fell well short of what the band deserved—Sanctuary arrived as a kind of proof that there was still hope for Amy Lee and her team to thrive. Well… at least it seems so.
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