It’s been five years since Evanescence gave us new music. Five years since The Bitter Truth reminded everyone that Amy Lee and company don’t do anything halfway. Now they’re back with Sanctuary, their sixth studio album — and if the singles are any indication, the wait was worth every minute.
Sanctuary dropped digitally on June 5th, but the vinyl pressing doesn’t arrive until September 4th. That’s actually a good thing if you’re a collector, because the indie exclusive pressing — a purple and black marble double vinyl — is genuinely one of the more striking releases we’ve had come through the store in a while. This isn’t a cash-grab repress. It’s a proper limited pressing that’s going to look as good on your shelf as it sounds on your turntable.
The album itself is everything you’d want from Evanescence. Twelve tracks, nearly 49 minutes of the band doing what they do better than almost anyone: massive orchestral rock, Lee’s unmistakable voice, and lyrics that actually mean something. Lead single “Who Will You Follow” peaked at number one in the US and made it clear this isn’t a band coasting on nostalgia. “Afterlife,” originally released as part of the Devil May Cry Netflix soundtrack, fits seamlessly into the album’s flow. Closer “Wide Open Heart” reportedly builds from a sparse synth opening into a full orchestral climax — classic Evanescence architecture.
One thing worth noting: this is the first Evanescence album to feature bassist Emma Anzai, and the band enlisted a deep bench of producers including Nick Raskulinecz (who’s worked with Foo Fighters and Alice in Chains) and Zakk Cervini. The result is an album that sounds contemporary without abandoning what made Evanescence essential in the first place.
The purple/black marble vinyl pre-orders at $34.99. We have limited quantities — this one will go fast.
- Available on September 4, 2026
