‘This Is Definitely An Up’: Evanescence’s Amy Lee Reflects on Latest Album ‘Sanctuary’ And World Tour
Evanescence frontwoman Amy Lee has reflected positively on the band's progress in 2026, describing it as a career high point following the release of their sixth studio album, Sanctuary, and the first North American leg of the accompanying world tour. Speaking to Billboard from her home in Nashville, Lee said the response to the album and tour felt "bigger than myself" and represented a deeper, more meaningful connection with fans than she experienced earlier in the band's career, which she attributes to the passage of time and shared history.
Sanctuary, released on 5 June, debuted in the top 10 of Billboard's Top Rock Albums and Independent Albums charts and produced the band's first two number-one Mainstream Rock Airplay singles, "Who Will You Follow" and "Afterlife" (the latter from Netflix's Devil May Cry animated series). Lee, the sole remaining original member of the group formed in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1994, also featured on "End of You" alongside Poppy and Spiritbox's Courtney LaPlante. The band's history includes over 32 million albums sold and two Grammy Awards, spanning releases such as the diamond-certified Fallen (2003), The Open Door (2006) and their 2011 self-titled album, alongside Lee's 2014 solo record Aftermath.
- Amy Lee calls 2026 a career high after Sanctuary's release and tour.
- Sanctuary debuted top 10 on Billboard's rock and independent album charts.
- Album delivered Evanescence's first two Mainstream Rock Airplay No. 1 hits.
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Evanescence are an American rock band best known for blending gothic, symphonic and alternative metal sounds, fronted by singer and songwriter Amy Lee since they formed in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1994. Lee is the only original member still with the group, and the band shot to global fame with their 2003 debut album Fallen, which has sold enough copies to be certified diamond. Since then they have released several more albums, sold more than 32 million records worldwide and won two Grammy Awards.
In 2026 the band released Sanctuary, their sixth studio album, and set out on a world tour to support it. The album has performed well commercially, reaching the top 10 of two Billboard album charts and producing two chart-topping rock radio singles, including one featured on a Netflix animated series. Lee has also collaborated with other musicians, including artists Poppy and Courtney LaPlante of the band Spiritbox.
The wider context is that of a band with a three-decade history reflecting on a notably successful recent period, both in terms of the reception to their new music and the connection felt with audiences on tour. This matters to fans and followers of rock music as a marker of how a long-established act is faring creatively and commercially more than 20 years after its breakthrough.