Who influenced Evanescence, and what came after

Every connection with its receipt

Evanescence fused Little Rock goth-pop songcraft with nu-metal muscle and conservatory-trained piano, and Amy Lee's influences run from Tori Amos to Danny Elfman to Mozart's Requiem. This mix traces the band's dual engines — Lee's classical and alt-female-songwriter lineage, Ben Moody's industrial and grunge metal grounding — through the Arkansas scene that produced them and the women-fronted rock wave they unlocked.

The Kynda mix for Evanescence

• Key Influence · Little Earthquakes by Tori Amos (1992). Amy Lee has repeatedly named Tori Amos as the artist who showed her that a piano could be the lead instrument in confessional rock rather than an ornament. Lee began classical piano training as a child and wrote Evanescence material at the keyboard; the raw voice-and-Bösendorfer intimacy of tracks like 'Winter' and 'Silent All These Years' is the clearest template for 'My Immortal' and the piano-driven balladry that anchors every Evanescence record.
• Influencia Obscura · October Rust by Type O Negative (1996). Lee has spoken warmly of Type O Negative and Peter Steele's influence on her taste for gothic grandeur played straight-faced but with romance rather than camp. October Rust's cathedral keyboards, slow doom tempos and velvet-dark production are an underacknowledged ancestor of Evanescence's sound — the proof that a metal band could build whole songs out of organ, reverb and longing without surrendering heaviness.
• Local Roots · Reborn by Living Sacrifice (1997). Little Rock's most important heavy band, Living Sacrifice built the local metal infrastructure — venues, engineers, audiences — that a teenage Amy Lee and Ben Moody came up inside during the late 1990s. Arkansas had no music industry to speak of; Evanescence's early EPs were self-released into exactly the small, tightly connected central-Arkansas scene that Living Sacrifice's groove-metal records had already given a center of gravity.
• Beyond the Medium · The Nightmare Before Christmas by Danny Elfman (1993). Lee has named Danny Elfman as a formative influence, and his gothic-whimsical orchestration — children's choir, waltz time, major-key melody over minor-key dread — is audible everywhere in Evanescence's arrangements. The band's habit of writing rock songs that sound like film cues, complete with choral swells and harpsichord figures, comes from this Burton-Elfman world far more than from any metal record.
• Peer · Mother Earth by Within Temptation (2000). Sharon den Adel's Dutch symphonic metal band reached European breakthrough three years before Fallen, working the same formula from the other direction: operatic female voice, orchestral keyboards, downtuned guitars. The two acts were constantly compared after 2003 and toured the same festival circuit, and Within Temptation's success in Europe helped prepare the ground Evanescence's crossover then detonated worldwide.
• From the Canon · Fallen by Evanescence (2003). The album that sold over four million US copies within a year and won two Grammys, Fallen is the complete statement of the Lee–Moody partnership: church choir, piano ballad, drop-tuned riff and radio hook welded into one object. 'Bring Me to Life,' 'My Immortal' and 'Going Under' define the band's three modes, and the record's enormous success immediately preceded Moody's abrupt departure mid-tour in October 2003.
• Key Collaborator · Because of You by Kelly Clarkson (2004). Ben Moody co-founded Evanescence with Lee in 1994, co-wrote all of Fallen, then left abruptly in 2003. His immediate next move showed the other half of his craft: co-writing Kelly Clarkson's 'Because of You,' a global pop-rock hit built on the same architecture of confessional verse into cathartic chorus that powered 'My Immortal.' It is the clearest evidence of what Moody specifically brought to the partnership.
• Legacy · The Strange Case Of... by Halestorm (2012). Lzzy Hale has spoken often about Amy Lee's importance as proof that a woman could front a heavy rock band on mainstream radio, and Halestorm occupied exactly the commercial space Fallen opened. The two have shared stages and festival bills, and Halestorm's Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance followed the path Evanescence cut a decade earlier for women-led American hard rock.

What influenced Evanescence

• Portishead (1991). The page lists Portishead among Evanescence's cited influences. (also via Dummy) “Beth Gibbons was one of my greatest vocal and musical inspirations. In the 90s when I was a young teen really feeling music I loved Portishead , Massive Attack and the whole trip-hop vibe.” (theguardian.com)
• The Smashing Pumpkins. Evanescence are listed among bands influenced by the Pumpkins. “Still, several artists and bands have considered the Pumpkins as an influence, such as Nelly Furtado , [ 201 ] Marilyn Manson , [ 202 ] Deftones , [ 203 ] Evanescence , [ 204 ] Third Eye Blind” (Wikipedia)
• Nine Inch Nails. Nine Inch Nails appears in the page's list of Evanescence's influences. (also via The Downward Spiral) “She pointed to Nine Inch Nails and Portishead as formative touchstones.” (lpm.org)
• Björk (1965). The page lists Björk among Evanescence's cited influences. (also via Homogenic) “Evanescence cite Björk, [ 299 ] Mozart, [ 299 ] Danny Elfman, [ 299 ] Portishead, [ 325 ] [ 326 ] Soundgarden” (Wikipedia)
• Massive Attack. Lee directly names Massive Attack as an inspiration for the band. “In the 90s when I was a young teen really feeling music I loved Portishead , Massive Attack and the whole trip-hop vibe. It was dark and cool, really different.” (theguardian.com)
• Danny Elfman. The page lists Danny Elfman among Evanescence's cited influences. (also via The Nightmare Before Christmas) “Evanescence cite Björk, [ 299 ] Mozart, [ 299 ] Danny Elfman, [ 299 ] Portishead” (Wikipedia)
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The page lists Mozart among Evanescence's cited influences. (also via Requiem in D minor, K. 626) “Evanescence cite Björk, [ 299 ] Mozart, [ 299 ] Danny Elfman, [ 299 ] Portishead” (Wikipedia)
• Tori Amos. Tori Amos appears in the page's list of Evanescence's influences. (also via Little Earthquakes)
• Homogenic by Björk (1997) “=== Influences === Lee's musical influences throughout childhood and her teenage years included classical music, Danny Elfman and Hans Zimmer's film scores, alternative music, grunge, hard rock, industrial music, death metal, groove meta…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Garbage by Garbage (1995). Garbage appears in the page's list of Evanescence's influences. “Smashing Pumpkins , [ 299 ] Garbage , [ 330 ] Depeche Mode , [ 299 ] and A Perfect Circle” (Wikipedia)
• The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails (1994) “Evanescence cite Björk, Mozart, Danny Elfman, Portishead, Soundgarden, Korn, Tori Amos, Nirvana, Pantera, Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage, Depeche Mode, and A Perfect Circle as influences.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Dummy by Portishead “=== Influences === Lee's musical influences throughout childhood and her teenage years included classical music, Danny Elfman and Hans Zimmer's film scores, alternative music, grunge, hard rock, industrial music, death metal, groove meta…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Pantera. Pantera appears in the page's list of Evanescence's influences. “Nirvana , [ 328 ] Pantera , [ 24 ] [ 329 ] Nine Inch Nails , [ 299 ] Smashing Pumpkins” (Wikipedia)
• Soundgarden. Soundgarden appears in the page's list of Evanescence's influences. “Portishead, [ 325 ] [ 326 ] Soundgarden , [ 299 ] Korn , [ 327 ] [ 118 ] Tori Amos” (Wikipedia)
• Nirvana. Nirvana appears in the page's list of Evanescence's influences. “Tori Amos , [ 299 ] Nirvana , [ 328 ] Pantera , [ 24 ] [ 329 ] Nine Inch Nails” (Wikipedia)
• Depeche Mode (1980). Lee directly names Depeche Mode as an inspiration for the band. “always had programming and inspirations from Bjork, Depeche Mode and Massive Attack and that kind of thing” (Wikipedia)
• Little Earthquakes by Tori Amos (1992) “Evanescence cite Björk, Mozart, Danny Elfman, Portishead, Soundgarden, Korn, Tori Amos, Nirvana, Pantera, Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage, Depeche Mode, and A Perfect Circle as influences.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• A Perfect Circle. The page names A Perfect Circle as an Evanescence influence. “Garbage , [ 330 ] Depeche Mode , [ 299 ] and A Perfect Circle [ 75 ] as influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Edward Scissorhands (themoviedb.org)
• October Rust by Type O Negative (1996) (musicbrainz.org)
• Requiem in D minor, K. 626 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1791) (musicbrainz.org)
• The Nightmare Before Christmas by Danny Elfman (1993) “Danny Elfman's film scores were a significant influence for her when she began creating Evanescence's music.” (en.wikipedia.org)

Peers and kindred spirits

• Within Temptation. The bands announced a joint European tour. (also via Mother Earth) “Within Temptation have released the first track from their forthcoming live album, featuring Amy Lee of Evanescence . The new rendition of ‘The Reckoning’ forms part of the Dutch metal icon’s ‘Worlds Collide Tour – Live In Amsterdam’ LP” (staging.rocksound.tv)
• Korn. Evanescence and Korn co-headlined a US tour. (also via Thoughtless) “Korn called on Evanescence singer Amy Lee for a special guest slot during the band's December 2006 MTV Unplugged recording, bringing her out for an emotional, nuanced rendition of Freak On A Leash .” (loudersound.com)
• Halestorm. Evanescence and Halestorm toured together. (also via The Strange Case Of...) “Produced by Nick Rasculinecz, we recorded this duet pre-COVID-19, together in the same room, live, as a full performance from beginning to end.” (loudersound.com)
• Lindsey Stirling. Stirling features on Evanescence's song “Hi-Lo.” “In the latest episode of "Inside Synthesis" , we explore the making of "Hi-Lo" , one of the two new tracks on the album, featuring a guest performance by famed violinist Lindsey Stirling .” (blabbermouth.net)
• Nick Raskulinecz. Raskulinecz replaced Lillywhite as producer during work on the album. “the band entered the studio with Nick Raskulinecz , who produced their 2011 self-titled album” (Wikipedia)
• Fleetwood Mac. In context, the song is Evanescence's cover of Fleetwood Mac's “The Chain.” “This cover was so fun to make. We love Fleetwood Mac and wanted to paint a dark and epic picture with our take on The Chain .” (loudersound.com)
• The End of All Things to Come by Mudvayne (2002) “He is the guitarist for rock band Ugly Kid Joe, and has done production work for bands such as Godsmack, Superjoint Ritual, Snot, Atomship, Eyehategod, Mudvayne, Otep, Slipknot, Simple Plan and Evanescence.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Amy Lee. Lee co-founded Evanescence. “Evanescence is an American rock band founded in 1994 by singer and keyboardist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody in Little Rock, Arkansas .” (Wikipedia)
• Will Hunt. Hunt joined Evanescence on tour. “On May 17, 2007, former Dark New Day members, drummer Will Hunt and guitarist Troy McLawhorn were announced to have joined Evanescence on tour, replacing Gray and LeCompt.” (Wikipedia)
• Terry Balsamo. Balsamo joined Evanescence as lead guitarist. “Balsamo soon joined Evanescence as the permanent lead guitarist.” (Wikipedia)
• Thoughtless by Korn. Evanescence covered Korn's song live. “On November 24, 2004, Evanescence released their first live album and concert DVD titled Anywhere but Home , which includes a concert in Paris, a live cover of Korn 's " Thoughtless ",” (Wikipedia)
• Jen Majura. Majura filled Balsamo's guitarist position in Evanescence. “His position was filled by German guitarist Jen Majura , who was recommended by Testament 's Alex Skolnick .” (Wikipedia)
• Dave Fortman. Fortman was brought in to produce Evanescence's debut album. “After almost two years of Evanescence working on the album, Dave Fortman was brought in to produce it.” (Wikipedia)
• Mother Earth by Within Temptation (2000) “Definitely some Open Door vibes but not the same." On September 17, 2019, Evanescence and symphonic metal band Within Temptation announced a seven-city joint European tour titled Worlds Collide originally scheduled for April 2020.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Year of the Spider by Cold (2003) “Amy is very artistic and never has had a problem thinking outside of the box and defying expectations." Lee called former Cold guitarist Terry Balsamo, with whom Evanescence had toured, to replace Moody on the Fallen tour.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Troy McLawhorn. McLawhorn joined Evanescence on tour. “On May 17, 2007, former Dark New Day members, drummer Will Hunt and guitarist Troy McLawhorn were announced to have joined Evanescence on tour, replacing Gray and LeCompt.” (Wikipedia)
• Ben Moody. Moody co-founded Evanescence. “Evanescence is an American rock band founded in 1994 by singer and keyboardist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody in Little Rock, Arkansas .” (Wikipedia)
• Muse. Evanescence joined Muse's North American tour. “Evanescence joined Muse on their North American tour from February to April 2023.” (Wikipedia)
• Because of You by Kelly Clarkson (2004) “Davis served as the executive producer for the record, while Clarkson co-wrote six of the tracks with pop and rock songwriters such as former Evanescence band members Ben Moody and David Hodges, Kara DioGuardi, Dr.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Reborn by Living Sacrifice (1997) “Putman played guitar for a tour through Norway and Sweden but was replaced with Rocky Gray, who would go on to play drums in Evanescence and We Are the Fallen and guitar in Soul Embraced.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• K. Flay. K. Flay features on Evanescence's “Fight Like a Girl.” “Additionally, the band released " Fight Like a Girl " featuring American singer K. Flay , which features in the end credits of the film.” (Wikipedia)
• Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park (2000) (musicbrainz.org)
• Let's Stay Together by Al Green (1972) (musicbrainz.org)
• Comalies by Lacuna Coil (2002) (musicbrainz.org)
• Standing in the Way of Control by The Gossip (2006)

Who Evanescence influenced

• Eternal Blue by Spiritbox (2021) (musicbrainz.org)
• Flyleaf by Flyleaf (2005) (musicbrainz.org)
• The Strange Case Of... by Halestorm (2012) “Evanescence took part in the Carnival of Madness Tour alongside Halestorm, Cavo, New Medicine, and Chevelle.” (en.wikipedia.org)