Hey guys,
I wanted to fill you in on what's been going on.
We've taken some time out of the studio to get our heads into the right creative space, work on the songs and even write some more music. Terry and I spent a little time together this month working in Jacksonville, kinda like we did before we recorded The Open Door, and the whole band is getting together to jam this week. My record label has been going through some very uncertain times, as are many record labels, and that's made things a little unclear....we really want to make sure the whole machine is working together when it's time to put out the album. We are focusing on what we do best: making music. We'll be back in the studio recording the album soon enough. I think that it can only be stronger for this extra time we're putting into it, and we will all be better for the hurdles in the end. Thank you, again and always, for being such patient and loyal fans- I believe in this music and I can't wait to share it with you.

love,
Amy

Amy Lee "doesn't have an opinion" on We Are The Fallen

Evanescence frontwoman Amy Lee has told US magazine Billboard that she "doesn't have an opinion" on We Are The Fallen, the new band featuring former Evanescence guitarists Ben Moody and John LeCompt, drummer Rocky Gray, ex-Disturbed bassist Marty O'Brien and former American Idol contestant Carly Smithson.

"It just doesn't have anything to do with me or Evanescence," said Lee. "The only thing that bothers me about it, really, is I keep hearing about 'the original members.' The only original members of Evanescence [were] me and Ben; John and Rocky came into the band after we'd already recorded [Evanescence's 2003 debut album] Fallen, so there's a lot of years that didn't include anybody but Ben and I. Other than that, I don't have an opinion or anything to say about [them]."

When asked about her band's upcoming, third studio album ,Lee says it's set to be the best Evanescence album yet.

"I know that seems weird to say, but I wouldn't be here in the studio making another record if I didn't think it was going to be better than anything I've ever done," she said. "I feel like so much has already happened. I don't even know where to begin to try to describe it 'cause it's just so many things at once. I'm really excited!

When asked about the musical direction of album, Lee said it will sound like Evanescence, but will also incorporate some more leftfield influnces.

"It wouldn't be an Evanescence album if it didn't sound somewhat like Evanescence," she added. "I feel like our band has always had programming and inspirations from Bjork and Depeche Mode and Massive Attack and that kind of thing. It's not like we're making one of those records; it's just, like, that is playing a bigger role in the sound of Evanescence this time. Those little nuances and hints come in in ways that are cool. The sound that we're going for as a group is to fuse synthetic instruments with organic instruments and create something that sounds like a whole new place. It just sounds larger than life."
Evanescence's as-yet-untitled third album will be released in the summer through Virgin.

"The only thing that bothers me about it, really, is I keep hearing about 'the original members.' The only original members of Evanescence [were] me and Ben; John and Rocky came into the band after we'd already recorded [Evanescence's 2003 debut album] Fallen, so there's a lot of years that didn't include anybody but Ben and I.

Evanescence singer Amy Lee is over the drama.

"There's a lot of bullshit related to that band name for me," Lee tells SPIN.com, "but I'm ready to move past it. I've realized that Evanescence is who I am."

She's not kidding about the bullshit. Since their 2003 Grammy-winning, multi-platinum debut Fallen rocketed the Little Rock, AR, natives to world stardom, the group have been plagued by in-fighting and lineup changes, beginning with the departure of co-founder Ben Moody. In a very public 2006 spat, the last remaining original members -- guitarist John LeCompt and drummer Rocky Gray -- left or were fired, and soon joined Moody to form We Are the Fallen with ex-American Idol finalist Carly Smithson on vocals.

Evanescence is also moving on. The goth-rock outfit will release their first album since 2006 this September, with a new lineup -- and a new sound.

Lee, guitarist Terry Balsamo, bassist Tim McCord, drummer Will Hunt, and the band's newest member, producer, songwriter, and studio whiz Will "Science" Hunt (that's right -- the band has two guys named "Will Hunt"), are recording the album in a New York studio with producer Steve Lillywhite (U2, Rolling Stones). And they're taking Evanescence's characteristically heavy, goth-rock sound in an electro-pop direction inspired by Lee's favorite bands: Massive Attack, Bjork, and Portishead.

"The album has sounds that are distorted, changed, reversed," says Lee. "There's a lot of that fun stuff going on."

Below, she tells SPIN.com more about the record, her former bandmates, and her favorite hobby: painting.

Evanescence Go Electro As Lee Has “Fun With Music” on Next LP

On Monday, February 22nd, Evanescence started recording their upcoming third album in New York with famed producer Steve Lillywhite. Singer Amy Lee tells Rolling Stone the new disc is going to be a mix of “sarcastic aggression” that will show a new side of the band — a distinct electro influence. “A lot of bands I’ve always been inspired by are just coming into play a little more,” says Lee, citing the future-shock sounds of Depeche Mode, Massive Attack, Portishead, CSS, La Roux and MGMT. “There’s a lot of stuff that doesn’t sound like Evanescence, but the heart of the band of still there. This is a really, really, rhythmically driven record. So there’s tons of drum-programming fused with live drums; drums we’re renting a day at a time, like Japanese taiko drums.”

Lee is co-writing the album with old friend and new collaborator Will Hunt, a producer, programmer and drummer from Fort Worth, Texas. The pair decided to start writing together after arranging “Sally’s Song,” Amy Lee’s addition to 2008’s Nightmare Revisited album and spent all of 2009 writing together in New York and Texas, crafting a handful of already-recorded electronic programming that will end up on the forthcoming record. “The sounds and influence he brings to the table — programming outer-space awesome sounds you can’t even recognize. I went through a phase where I didn’t know if it was solo time, or go write score music, or what,” says Lee. “And then once we wrote together, I realized this is totally Evanescence.”

The album is also the band’s first with veteran producer Steve Lillywhite, who’s produced for the Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band and, most notably, worked on eight U2 albums. Lillywhite, who approached the band, is co-producing the album with Hunt, and has been working with them since day one. “He’s not the kind of producer that would leave during the day and then come back to see what we’re doing,” says Lee of Lillywhite. “He’s part of the team, a big part of the team.”

This is Evanescence’s first record since 2006’s platinum The Open Door. In the time off, Lee got married and started taking harp lessons — and she assures that the plucky fruits of her labor will definitely appear on the LP. As for the rest of the band, guitarist Terry Balsamo and bassist Tim McCord are back on board; Dave Campbell will once again handle string arrangements; and live guitarist Troy McLawhorn is tentative depending on his schedule with his band Seether. Hunt will be doing most of the drumming, but Lee doesn’t rule out an appearance by Evanescence’s last live drummer — coincidentally also named Will Hunt. “This is going to be really hard to get across without people getting confused because they have the same exact name,” says Lee. “But we’re actually doing a two-drummer thing for the next tour. Basically Thing 1 and Thing 2 — we’re gonna have figure out some kind of plan for just knowing who’s who.”

As for the change in direction, Lee says it’s more of an aesthetic homecoming. “I’m just at a place where I know who I am,” says Lee. “I’m not trying to prove anything this time. Last time I had a lot of weight on my shoulders. This time I’m just having fun with music.

--RollingStone.com

We are officially going into the studio to record our third album next month. I'm beyond excited and will keep you up to date along the way!

Hey guys!

I can't believe I'm saying this but.....
I've decided to try out the twitter thing. I think it might be a fun way to stay in touch better and I know I need to announce myself on here because there are so many other 'me's.' My name on twitter is AmyLeeEv. I can't guarantee I'll have anything interesting to say but if you're really bored and need a distraction, why not follow me? Actually, I think I haven an idea for my first tweet. How about I spill the first little surprise I've been holding onto? See you there!
love,
Amy

OK, here comes the surprise. It's gonna take a few tweets to tell you the whole thing.

Remember the Nightmare Before Christmas covers CD last year? They are making another one, this time its Muppet songs..

When they asked me if I wanted to do a song, I thought it was a really cool idea but I didn't think there would be anything that fit me...

but right before saying no, I went online and listened to all the songs just in case anything sparked, and I found something...

so Will Hunt (guy I did Sally's Song with) and I went completely crazy with it and it is really different and, I think, REALLY cool...

I thought it was going to come out this year but I've just been told its been pushed to spring, April I think...

so well have to wait a little bit for it, but I think its worth it.

I'm really excited about it! I have one more surprise and its not so far away...

Stay tuned!
Amy

And..

And hey, just so you guys know, the album is the priority. Its all I've been doing this year and I am dying to put it out. The plan is to get it out next year, but it definitely wont be out by April, so this Muppets thing is just an appetizer till then. I know that telling you something is coming out in 6 months seems kinda lame because its far away but Im just really excited (and when I first said there was a surprise I thought it would be out within a month). I know it sounds crazy but the song is killer. That's my opinion anyway, I had a great time making it.

Alright. Going back to work.....

love
Amy

Hey guys,
I know you figured it out already but I just wanted to say we are indeed headlining one of the three nights at the festival in Sao Paulo in November! We've had a few cool opportunities to play one-offs over the past year or so, and I usually end up saying no because I've been so focused on the new material and I don't want to get sidetracked (organizing an Ev show takes some pretty serious time and preparation). BUT the writing has been going so well lately, and you Brazil fans are some of our best and craziest, we decided to just go for it! We wont be playing new material, its going to be a collection of songs you already know (new stuff will come in due time ). I also wanted you to know that this is not the suprise I was referring to- that is still coming, and it WILL be a little something new to hear. ..... I really love these little smily guys. And what the hell is this one ? It looks like a ghost that swallowed a hanger. ANYWAY, I'm really excited and a little nervous about the show- I've been my anonymous alter-ego for a long time! Mostly I can't wait to feel that feeling again- completely swallowed by the music. I love you guys and I can't wait to see you Brazil! We're gonna have a good time.

love,
Amy