The Bitter Truth
Evanescence · 2021
47 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
A cathartic blend of hard-hitting riffs and emotive vocals that explores themes of loss and resilience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Artifact / The Turn Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Wasted on You — This track captures the emotional weight of longing and despair, enhanced by its driving instrumentals that reflect a sense of urgency. Its chorus resonates with listeners through intimate lyrical imagery that illustrates vulnerability.
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Use My Voice — A rallying anthem advocating for empowerment, this song showcases a departure into more socially conscious territory while maintaining the band's signature sound. Featuring contributions from various artists, it emphasizes collective strength amidst adversity.
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Broken Pieces Shine — This track serves as a poignant exploration of resilience, layering haunting melodies over reflective lyrics that invite listeners to find light in dark times. The interplay between verses and soaring choruses exemplifies the album's emotional depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines strong songwriting with effective production, though it follows familiar patterns in the genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a spoken word intro that transitions into heavy guitar riffs, setting a dramatic tone.
- Several tracks feature dynamic shifts between soft verses and explosive choruses, emphasizing emotional peaks.
- The lyrics often employ vivid imagery and personal narratives, creating a sense of intimacy and urgency throughout.
- The final track concludes with a gradual fade-out, leaving the listener with a lingering sense of reflection.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady emotional crescendos throughout
- darkly melodic anthems for reflection
- resilient themes of personal struggle
- mid-tempo pacing for focused listening
- cathartic release in each track
Maybe skip if you
- seeking lighthearted party vibes
- prefering quick, upbeat tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows renewed creative energy after a long hiatus, appealing to both old and new fans.
- Career context
- The Bitter Truth marks Evanescence's fifth studio album and their first in nearly a decade, following the release of Synthesis in 2017. This album arrives during a period of renewed creative energy for the band, as they reconnect with their rock roots while addressing contemporary themes influenced by personal struggles and societal issues.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Within Temptation· Nightwish· Lacuna Coil
Tracklist
- 1 Artifact / The Turn Start here 2:27
- 2 Broken Pieces Shine 3:50
- 3 The Game Is Over 4:22
- 4 Yeah Right 3:29
- 5 Feeding the Dark 4:14
- 6 Wasted on You 4:24
- 7 Better Without You 4:05
- 8 Use My Voice 4:01
- 9 Take Cover 3:15
- 10 Far From Heaven 4:57
- 11 Part of Me 4:00
- 12 Blind Belief 4:14
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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