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The Open Door Image
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 231 Ratings

  • Summary: Fans of the Grammy-winning band have waited three years for them to return with a second album, which returns Dave Fortman as producer but no longer includes guitarist-songwriter Ben Moody.

Top Track

Lithium
Lithium, don't wanna lock me up inside Lithium, don't wanna forget how it feels without Lithium, I wanna stay in love with my sorrow Oh, but God I... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 12
  2. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. The Open Door, is more personal and, by accessing a deeper emotional palette, maybe even more universal.
  2. Evanescence fans can rest easy knowing The Open Door handily re-creates the sonic storm of the debut.
  3. 70
    Denser and more scuzzed-up than Fallen, the album amps everything up to gloriously epic, over-the-top proportions. [Oct 2006, p.129]
  4. Sonically, it captures the Evanescence mythos better and more consistently than the first album... but without the songs, it doesn't resonate.
  5. Fans will be thrilled to know that, despite the replacement of main guitarist and co-songwriter Ben Moody, Evanescence's sophomore album is at least as unsubtle as its predecessor.
  6. Many of these theatrical, midtempo songs run together.
  7. The Open Door is an exercise in how not to make a sophomore album (or any album for that matter).

See all 12 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 84 out of 109
  2. Negative: 14 out of 109
  1. AdrianS
    Dec 5, 2009
    10
    I think this album is Amazing, Amy and the band did a great job. The vocals are as outstanding as Fallen's and even more powerful. Buy It!
  2. BrianL
    Mar 27, 2007
    10
    Amy Lee is probably the best and most powerful singer in the history of rock and roll. The Open Door is even better than Fallen which was also a 10.
  3. JoeC
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    I can't believe what these critics are saying, they must have been just skipping the songs because their in a rush or something. This is I can't believe what these critics are saying, they must have been just skipping the songs because their in a rush or something. This is my favorite album of the year. WOW! You just can't count on critics anymore. Expand
  4. Jun 22, 2011
    10
    It is an AMAZING album. It's one of the best rock albums ever! Evanescence and Amy Lee - they are one of the best rock artists. They do such aIt is an AMAZING album. It's one of the best rock albums ever! Evanescence and Amy Lee - they are one of the best rock artists. They do such a great music, it's so amazing, the music and the vocals are so great, magical... Everyone should buy this album, everyone.
    I give it 10 points.
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  5. JoeB
    Oct 6, 2006
    9
    No, this is not a Fallen remake. Why would anyone want that anyway? It is as different as I was 3 years ago. That doesn't make it a bad No, this is not a Fallen remake. Why would anyone want that anyway? It is as different as I was 3 years ago. That doesn't make it a bad album. It is heavier and the lyrics are as haunting, if not more, than anything in the past. Amy's voice is like the Siren's song as it pulls you into her world of story telling. This is one of those albums that is an easy listen but the more time you spend understanding the story she's telling, the more compelling this album becomes. Expand
  6. Sep 16, 2011
    7
    This album has some incredible music inside, but it's not the Evanescence we know. It lacks the energy and the specialness of Fallen. FallenThis album has some incredible music inside, but it's not the Evanescence we know. It lacks the energy and the specialness of Fallen. Fallen had no fillers, while in this there are songs that really feel like b-sides. I can't believe i'm saying this, but at times i was bored and that's because of the slow-paced and too long parts between the choruses. They are not bad, they are just not interesting. I still suggest this album as a great buy and wonderful music, but don't expect Fallen part II, this is well below that album.
    Great job for taking some risks and trying something new, but i was kinda dissapointed considering what i was expecting after Fallen
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  7. josel
    Oct 6, 2006
    0
    trash, compared to fallen, their breakout album. go back to the studio, or get someone just as good as moody, cuz your voice isn't gonna cut it.

See all 109 User Reviews