Evanescence will be releasing their sixth studio album Sanctuary on June 5, 2026. Led by the single Who Will You Follow, the album marks a significant new milestone in the band’s storied career. Since their debut, they have maintained a global legacy as one of the most successful and enduring rock bands in modern music.
Evanescence music accompanied many fans through everything going around in the world around them, through sad and happy moments. Join us as we recap the timelines of the most significant events in Evanescence history, remembering what was going on in the world at the same time. For long term fans, I hope this timeline will trigger happy memories of your own, and for young fans, we hope this will help you appreciate this band’s history and legacy even more.
1994
Evanescence is formed
Teenage Amy Lee and Ben Moody meet and start making on music together.
Meanwhile that same year:
- Death of Kurt Cobain
- Pantera release 7th album Far Beyond Driven
- First season of Friends begins airing
- Iconic movie Pulp Fiction is released
- Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as President of South Africa
2000
First demo album “Origin”
After being joined by David Hodges and working on their first two EPs, Evanescence created a demo album “Origin”
Meanwhile that same year:
- Release of Linkin Park‘s debut album Hybrid Theory
- Release of Eminem‘s The Marshall Mathers LP
- Release of the movie Gladiator
- Release of the video game The Sims
- Real Madrid wins their 8th UEFA Champions League title
- George W. Bush wins the U.S. Presidency following the Supreme Court recount ruling
- Vladimir Putin is elected President of Russia for the first time
2003
Evanescence release debut album Fallen
Evanescence released their major-label debut album Fallen. The band consisted of Amy Lee, Ben Moody, John LeCompt, Will Boyd, and Rocky Gray.
Meanwhile that same year:
- Metallica released their eighth studio album St. Anger.
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King was released and eventually won all 11 Academy Awards for which it was nominated.
- Finding Nemo was released and became the highest-grossing animated film at the time.
- A.C. Milan won their 6th UEFA Champions League title after defeating Juventus in a penalty shootout.
- Michael Schumacher won a record-breaking 6th Formula One World Championship title.
- Saddam Hussein was toppled from power following the invasion of Iraq by the United States and coalition forces.
2006
Evanescence release The Open Door
2006
After being joined by Terry Balsamo and Tim McCord to complete the lineup alongside Amy Lee, John LeCompt, and Rocky Gray, Evanescence released their second studio album The Open Door in 2006.
Meanwhile that same year:
- Tool released their fourth studio album 10,000 Days
- Slayer released their ninth studio album Christ Illusion
- The movie Casino Royale was released, introducing Daniel Craig as the new James Bond.
- Italy won their 4th FIFA World Cup title after defeating France in a penalty shootout.
- Barcelona won their 2nd UEFA Champions League title after defeating Arsenal 2–1 in the final.
- Montenegro officially declared independence after a referendum, ending its state union with Serbia.
2011
Evanescence release self-titled album
After returning from a multi-year hiatus and solidifying a lineup with Will Hunt and Troy McLawhorn alongside Amy Lee, Terry Balsamo, and Tim McCord, Evanescence released their self-titled third studio album Evanescence in 2011.
Meanwhile that same year:
- Adele released her second studio album 21
- Foo Fighters released their seventh studio album Wasting Light
- The fantasy drama series Game of Thrones premiered on HBO, starting a global cultural phenomenon.
- Barcelona won their 4th UEFA Champions League title after defeating Manchester United 3–1 in the final.
- Novak Djokovic won three out of four Grand Slam titles in one of the most dominant individual seasons in tennis history.
- Osama bin Laden was killed during a U.S. military raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
- The Arab Spring protests led to the downfall of several long-standing leaders, including Hosni Mubarak in Egypt.
2015
Jen Majura joins Evanescence
After Terry Balsamo left the band in 2015, Jen Majura joined Amy Lee, Tim McCord, Will Hunt, and Troy McLawhorn as the new guitarist.
Meanwhile that same year:
- Iron Maiden released their sixteenth studio album The Book of Souls
- The movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released
- The movie Jurassic World was released
- The Golden State Warriors won their 4th NBA championship, ending a 40-year title drought for the franchise.
- Barcelona won their 5th UEFA Champions League title after defeating Juventus 3–1 in the final held in Berlin.
- A US Supreme Court ruling legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in all 50 states.
- A historic nuclear deal was reached between Iran and six world powers to limit Iran‘s nuclear activities in exchange for lifting economic sanctions.
2015
Evanescence releases Synthesis
After exploring new musical directions with orchestral and electronic arrangements, Evanescence released their fourth studio album Synthesis in 2017.
Meanwhile that same year:
- Linkin Park released their seventh studio album One More Light, which was tragically followed by the death of frontman Chester Bennington.
- Black Sabbath performed their final two shows in their hometown of Birmingham, officially concluding their 49-year career.
- Release of the movie Star Wars: The Last Jedi
- Premiere of the dystopian series The Handmaid’s Tale
- Real Madrid won their 12th UEFA Champions League title, becoming the first team to win consecutive titles in the modern era.
- Roger Federer won his 8th Wimbledon singles title, making him the most successful male player in the tournament’s history at that time.
- The United Kingdom officially triggered Article 50, beginning the formal legal process of Brexit.
2017
Evanescence releases Synthesis
After exploring new musical directions with orchestral and electronic arrangements, Evanescence released their fourth studio album Synthesis in 2017.
Meanwhile that same year:
- Linkin Park released their seventh studio album One More Light, which was tragically followed by the death of frontman Chester Bennington.
- Black Sabbath performed their final two shows in their hometown of Birmingham, officially concluding their 49-year career.
- Release of the movie Star Wars: The Last Jedi
- Premiere of the dystopian series The Handmaid’s Tale
- Real Madrid won their 12th UEFA Champions League title, becoming the first team to win consecutive titles in the modern era.
- Roger Federer won his 8th Wimbledon singles title, making him the most successful male player in the tournament’s history at that time.
- The United Kingdom officially triggered Article 50, beginning the formal legal process of Brexit.
2021
The Bitter Truth
Evanescence released their fifth studio album The Bitter Truth in 2021.
Meanwhile that same year:
- Release of Iron Maiden‘s seventeenth studio album Senjutsu
- Release of Gojira‘s seventh studio album Fortitude
- Release of the movie Spider-Man: No Way Home
- Italy wins their 2nd UEFA European Championship title after defeating England
- Joe Biden is inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States
- Completion of the United States military withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years
2022
Emma Anzai joins Evanescence
Following the departure of Jen Majura, Tim McCord transitioned from bass to guitar while Emma Anzai of Sick Puppies joined Amy Lee, Will Hunt, and Troy McLawhorn as the new bassist, while the band completed the Worlds Collide tour with Within Temptation
Meanwhile that same year:
- Ozzy Osbourne released his thirteenth studio album Patient Number 9, featuring high-profile collaborations with Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Tony Iommi.
- The movie Top Gun: Maverick was released and became the highest-grossing film of Tom Cruise‘s career
- Argentina won their 3rd FIFA World Cup title in Qatar after defeating France in a penalty shootout following a 3–3 draw.
- Real Madrid won their 14th UEFA Champions League title
- Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II.
- Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, passed away at the age of 96 and was succeeded by King Charles III.
2026
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