An Explosion of Evanescence  by: Jeff Hightower

Dynamite comes in small packages. This fact was ever so true when the petite lead singer of Evanescence, Amy Lee, took the stage at the Gaylord Entertainment Center and unleashed an earth shattering show. With label-mates Finger Eleven and special guest Chevelle, they were explosive. They wasted no time from the moment they took the stage, winding up the crowd with hits like "Going Under". I had the opportunity to stand mere feet from the band, and they were fierce. Unbridled and colossal, they tore through songs like "Everybody's Fool" and incited the crowd with huge hits like "Call Me When You're Sober". John LeCompt has to be one of the scariest guitarists in the industry today. He took his stand on the stage and tore off riffs like paper. Lending guest vocals on "Bring Me To Life", the band's chart topping hit from the movie Daredevil. As John was giving new meaning to guitar playing, bass player Tim McCord fed off of him. He kept the flow of the songs tight while working in tandem with what I would call a crazy self-control by drummer Rocky Gray, who plays with a combination of reckless abandon and killer grooved discipline. He is possibly one of the best main stream drummers out there today. Guitarist Terry Balsamo completes the picture by tying everything together. He is the final piece of the puzzle that creates an epic display of imagery and majesty on stage. Amy split time between the elegant baby grand Baldwin that rose from below the stage and the keyboards at side stage. During moments of the concert, she would sit alone in a sole spotlight to showcase her brilliance at the piano. She stopped to take time to throw a few mementos to the crowd, in a show of thanks for their support. In person, she not only proved that she was stunning and talented, but that she was the ring-leader of this three ring circus with a commanding performance. Mock snow falls and spectacular lights galore added an epic feel that has become Evanescence's trademark. And to show their appreciation to a very reactive and ear-piercing crowd they came out to play a two song encore hi-lighted by a thunderous version of "My Immortal". After a few more gifts to the crowd, in the form of guitar picks, from John and Tim it was over. And just like their names meaning, they dissipated like a vapor into the night only to reappear in another town for their next show on another night. As an end result, every one of their fans walked away with an exhausted sense of fulfillment by seeing the band pouring with sweat, exit the stage, knowing they played their hearts out just for them. Till next time, from the nest… Hornetman Special thanks to Steve Karas at Wind-Up Records and Elizabeth at Gaylord Entertainment Center for help getting this article to come to life.

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