"Synthesis" is the fourth studio album by American rock band Evanescence, released on November 10, 2017, through BMG Rights Management. Unlike their previous albums, which were firmly rooted in rock and nu-metal, Synthesis presents a bold reinvention of Evanescence's music by incorporating orchestral arrangements and electronic elements. The album reimagines some of the band's most iconic songs from their back catalog, alongside two original tracks: "Imperfection" and "Hi-Lo."
After the conclusion of the Evanescence world tour in 2012, the band took a hiatus until 2015, during which Amy Lee focused on solo projects and the band parted ways with their longtime label, Wind-up Records. In 2016, Lee revealed the band was working on a special project that would involve revisiting older material but in a unique way, with orchestral and electronic elements replacing traditional rock instrumentation. By May 2017, Lee announced the album Synthesis, describing it as "the synthesis, the combination, the contrast, the synergy between the organic and the synthetic," which represented a fusion of orchestral music and electronica. This concept involved reworking their existing songs from the ground up with new tempos, intros, outros, and additional orchestral elements. It was not a mere remix album, but rather a reinvention, designed to be experienced as one cohesive piece of music, much like a soundtrack.
Lee acknowledged the risk involved in revisiting such beloved songs, explaining that she wanted to expose the "fragile but courageous heart" of each song, stripping them back to their raw emotional core. She described the process as "therapeutic" and a "passion project," and was particularly excited to work with a full orchestra for the first time in the band's history.
Synthesis features an elaborate mix of orchestral strings, programmed beats, and atmospheric electronic textures. The orchestra was arranged and conducted by David Campbell, who had previously arranged strings for the band’s earlier albums, and produced by Amy Lee and Will Hunt (Spaceway). The orchestra sessions were recorded by the Nashville Music Scoring Orchestra at Ocean Way Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. The result is an album that blends sweeping orchestral grandeur with electronic experimentation, creating a cinematic and emotional listening experience.
Key tracks that were reworked include "Bring Me to Life." The iconic track is stripped of its rock instrumentation, replacing drums and guitars with a lush orchestral arrangement. The new version is characterized by soaring strings and timpani, giving it a dramatic and cinematic quality. Lee reinterprets the song in a new light, adding elements that were previously envisioned but never realized in the original. "The End of the Dream" is re-recorded with a focus on emotional healing, highlighting the journey of a survivor processing trauma and finding strength. Lee wanted the new arrangement to capture the delicate balance between pain and healing. "Your Star" features a unique, haunting touch with the use of a vintage vocoder that accidentally picks up a Mexican radio station’s frequency, adding an eerie undertone that Lee describes as "authentic creepiness." The inclusion of these happy accidents adds a layer of charm to the track.
In addition to the reworked material, Synthesis also features two new original songs. "Imperfection" is a blend of electronica and orchestral sounds, featuring trip-hop beats and an empowering message about resilience in the face of personal struggles. Lee wrote the song from the perspective of someone who has lost someone to suicide and depression, and it serves as a "plea to fight for your life." For Lee, "Imperfection" was the most important song on the album. "Hi-Lo" is a song written back in 2007, originally a collaboration between Lee and Will Hunt. It focuses on the theme of moving on from a relationship in a non-confrontational way. The track, featuring a violin solo by Lindsey Stirling, blends glacial industrial rhythms with orchestral elements, creating a haunting atmosphere.
Synthesis debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200, and it reached number one on the Classical Albums, Independent Albums, and Alternative Albums charts. The album also charted in over 20 countries internationally, showcasing its broad appeal. Critics generally praised the album for its unique fusion of genres, though some noted that fans of the band’s earlier, more guitar-driven sound might find the shift to orchestral-electronic arrangements a challenge. Despite these critiques, the album was seen as a bold and creative reworking of Evanescence's catalog, offering a fresh perspective on familiar songs.
To support the album, Evanescence embarked on the Synthesis Live tour, where they performed with a different orchestra in each city. This tour took them across North America, Europe, and Oceania from October 2017 to September 2018, and was a significant milestone for the band, as it was their first time performing with a live orchestra.
Synthesis represents a major artistic evolution for Evanescence, showcasing Amy Lee’s vision for blending orchestral and electronic elements with the band's signature emotional depth. It marked the band's willingness to take creative risks and reimagine their work in a new, more symphonic and experimental light. For fans, it served as both a retrospective and a glimpse into the future of the band, blending their past with exciting new directions.
