The Bitter Truth
by Evanescence
  • Record Label: BMG
  • Release Date: Mar 26, 2021
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 165 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 144 out of 165
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 165
  3. Negative: 15 out of 165
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  1. Ayogio
    Jan 11, 2022
    8
    I love evanescence so maybe my review is a bit biased. In short, I think this is a great album with only maybe 2 skippable tracks. I do however feel like they could have released more songs given the 10 year time gap.
  2. Vilson_
    Sep 3, 2021
    10
    O álbum mais maduro e verdadeiro da banda, com vocais de Amy poderosos como sempre, e um instrumental de tirar o fôlego!
  3. KoltDrews
    Jun 11, 2021
    0
    Not one song on here got my blood pumping or sent chills down my spine the way I expect Amy Lee’s powerful voice to. Their last album was leagues better. A wasted decade.
  4. ballistic
    May 22, 2021
    8
    Apart from the opening two tracks I've not found much I enjoy listening to. I prefer Fallen and the self titled album.
  5. Victorleeon
    Mar 26, 2021
    10
    This album is masterpiece! A gift to the fans!
    Heavy, dark and mature. The lyrics are amazing!
  6. thirst_trap_exe
    Apr 29, 2021
    5
    Worth the long wait, its too short tho! i wish it had 2-3 more songs on it but overall amazing. im glad theyre still making music
  7. Chiquinho89
    Apr 20, 2021
    10
    Melhor álbum da banda já feito!!!! Álbum da carreira, esperamos muito, mas no fim valeu muito a pena esperar!!! Mesmo assim espero que um próximo álbum não demore tanto , pois Amy Lee é minha paixão
  8. Andresilva
    Apr 18, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Sem dúvidas algo totalmente novo, mas respeitando o legado de tudo o que já foi. Wasted on you, Broken pieces shines e Used my Voice são os pontos altos, e Yeah Right o ponto mais baixo.… Expand
  9. Ceruleo77
    Apr 8, 2021
    4
    1- Instrumental:

    Ponha uma música do Fallen, ou do The Open Door, e após escute qualquer música do The Bitter Truth, e você irá perceber a diferença na qualidade da gravação, da mixagem, e da escolha dos timbres dos instrumentos. Em The Bitter Truth a gravação dos instrumentos está completamente abafada, a mixagem está terrivelmente mal feita, onde a maioria das músicas parece um    1- Instrumental:

    Ponha uma música do Fallen, ou do The Open Door, e após escute qualquer música do The Bitter Truth, e você irá perceber a diferença na qualidade da gravação, da mixagem, e da escolha dos timbres dos instrumentos. Em The Bitter Truth a gravação dos instrumentos está completamente abafada, a mixagem está terrivelmente mal feita, onde a maioria das músicas parece um emaranhado de bateria, guitarras, piano e sintetizadores, e as escolhas dos timbres dos instrumentos, em principal as guitarras, não estão corretas! No que diz respeito aos solos, compare também com os CDs amteriores e verá o quão simplista The Bitter Truth se apresenta. Não há solos de piano memoráveis, não há solos de guitarra memoráveis, ou mesmo batidas e sons eletrônicos que impactem. Há um grande erro, também, na arquitetura das músicas. A maioria das músicas foi arquitetada de forma errada, onde muitas vezes não existe um clima de explosão ou ritimo corretos. Ao ouvir o álbum Evanescence, de 2011, pode-se perceber que o produtor Nick não sabe produzir de forma correta um CD, e isso se agravou ainda mais em The Bitter Truth. Há uma tremenda queda técnica entre o The Open Door e o Evanescence, que se agravou ainda mais no The Bitter Truth. Basta pôr uma música de cada um desses Cds em sequência, e verá o quanto, a partir do Evanescence, as músicas começaram a ficar mais abafadas e mal mixadas, culminando nesse desastre do The Bitter Truth.

    2- Voz da Amy Lee

    Em estúdio, um cantor precisa ter um bom produtor do lado, além de fazer aula de canto e aquecer adequadamente a voz antes de qualquer gravação. Em The Bitter Truth, a voz da Amy, por diversas vezes, se torna inaudível, devido a gravação abafada e mal mixagem por parte do produtor Nick, além de em alguns trechos soar desgastada e forçada. Um erro comum em iniciantes, que querem cantar de uma forma que não é correta para sua própria voz. A voz da Amy não é tão potente, apesar de alcançar notas incríveis, ela é uma voz suave, e o produtor Nick deveria instruir o processo do canto para que em alguns momentos a voz da Amy não saísse tão gritada e forçada. Novamente: Compare, por exemplo, Snow White Queen com Feeding The Dark, e você vai perceber claramente uma diferença de sonoridade da voz da Amy Lee, onde na Música do The Open Door a voz soa mais suave e descansada, e na música do The Bitter Truth a voz soa forçada e rasgada. Faltou, do produtor Nick, conduzir a voz da Amy para que soasse da melhor forma possível, dizendo onde estava demais ou onde estava de menos.

    3- Letras

    As letras do The Bitter Truth me decepcionaram bastante. As letras eram pra trazer verdades amargas, mas, no final, só trouxeram uma análise rasa de questões políticas e sociais que poderiam ter sido muito mais aprofundadas. Músicas como a Use My Voice, que poderia ser um baita protesto como This Is America, do Childish Gambino, ou mesmo a música Obama, do Anohni, por falta de profundidade, acabaram por se tornar irrelevantes, ainda mais com tantos artistas atuais fazendo letras politicas incrivelmente profundas e lancando clipes políticos extremamentes bem produzidos e diretos em suas mensagens.

    The Bitter Truth poderia ser o melhor disco da banda, mas, por questões técnicas, acabou se tornando o pior, perdendo apenas para o Synthesis, e, por mais que os Evfãs tenham, em sua maioria amado, o álbum vem sendo um fracasso, tanto de marketing, quanto de visualizações e engajamentos. Para uma banda que tem mais de 6 vídeos acima de 100 milhões de visualizações, e 2 álbuns com mais de 7 milhões de cópias vendidas, os números, até agora alcançados pelo The Bitter Truth, soam como um "É, nada muito impressionante" do restante das pessoas. E, realmente, The Bitter Truth não é nada impressionante para mais de 10 anos de espera.    … Expand
  10. dcg-vr
    Apr 5, 2021
    9
    10 years are worth the wait for “The Bitter Truth” and Evanescence does not disappoint. The album is filled with bangers after bangers as Amy Lee delivers phenomenal vocal performances on top of powerful drumming and heavy guitar riffs. Melodies are haunting and immersive, bringing listeners to higher transcendental planes. The band does not mask the truth throughout their work: reality10 years are worth the wait for “The Bitter Truth” and Evanescence does not disappoint. The album is filled with bangers after bangers as Amy Lee delivers phenomenal vocal performances on top of powerful drumming and heavy guitar riffs. Melodies are haunting and immersive, bringing listeners to higher transcendental planes. The band does not mask the truth throughout their work: reality can be grim and depressing, yet we have the will and power to pursue the lives we wish for. “Survival hurts, but I see breathing in, I’m alive. I’m not fine; I don’t know if I will be alright, but I have to try,” the second track “Broken Pieces Shine” emphasizes to remind us a very simple message that it is normal to be overwhelmed and anxious - just relax, face the real world courageously, and let your imperfections shine amidst this turbulent society. The album has been particularly catharsis after over a year of a global pandemic. The overall listening experience is heavy and dramatic at times but equally evocative and beautiful. The band’s contemplation on COVID-19 life is realistic and optimistic as hope and love persist in a merciless world. Taken altogether, the album represents quintessential Evanescence in the quality of songwriting, instrumentation, artistic creativity, musical prowess, and thematic cohesion. My greatest critique is that Amy’s vocal has occasionally been drowned out by overly loud instrumental sounds due to poor mixing as many has pointed out, but frankly this does not hinder the listening experience much. This is definitely one of the greatest rock albums of the year so far and it definitely worths to listen to.

    Highlights: Broken Pieces Shine, The Game Is Over, Yeah Right, Feeding the Dark, Far From Heaven, Part of Me
    Rating: 8.5/10    … Expand
  11. andresousajr
    Apr 4, 2021
    10
    Sem condições. Tudo que um fã espera ouvir depois de tanto tempo sem um album de ineditas. Nao da pra citar uma música ruim, pelo contrário, é possível citar várias excelentes. A abertura e o fechamento do album por exemplo compõe esse grupo.
  12. JLuis_001
    Apr 4, 2021
    7
    Evanescence: The Bitter Truth - ★★★½

    Evanescence has long flirted with a more pop-oriented sound, but without forgetting the rock hooks and of course the vocal power of Amy Lee, which cannot be contained by simple songs. The Bitter Truth doesn't reinvent anything in the band's sound, but it feels like a stronger album. Being honest since their debut album this band had been a    Evanescence: The Bitter Truth - ★★★½

    Evanescence has long flirted with a more pop-oriented sound, but without forgetting the rock hooks and of course the vocal power of Amy Lee, which cannot be contained by simple songs.

    The Bitter Truth doesn't reinvent anything in the band's sound, but it feels like a stronger album.
    Being honest since their debut album this band had been a notable and constant source of disappointment.

    And considering this is their first true album in 10 years, it goes without saying that the expectations were high.

    The record may not be great, but it's well done and I enjoyed a lot of the songs, and in these times that's a remarkable trait.

    I like it. That's enough.

    Notable Tracks

    > Broken Pieces Shine
    > The Game Is Over
    > Feeding The Dark
    > Wasted On You
    > Part Of Me    … Expand
  13. ankitamondal
    Apr 3, 2021
    8
    I really enjoyed this album from start to end..Pretty decent album. the opening song Artifact/ the turn is so beautiful, actually kinda sets the mood for the rest of the songs. the lyrics are amazing honestly.. Amy lee's vocals as usual amazing.. the "song the game is over" has got great riffs.. "yeah right" is kinda pop-ish but actually not really bad. This whole album is very emotionalI really enjoyed this album from start to end..Pretty decent album. the opening song Artifact/ the turn is so beautiful, actually kinda sets the mood for the rest of the songs. the lyrics are amazing honestly.. Amy lee's vocals as usual amazing.. the "song the game is over" has got great riffs.. "yeah right" is kinda pop-ish but actually not really bad. This whole album is very emotional and energetic. very rebellious haha ; "use my voice" for example.. also "wasted on you" is a beautiful ballad.

    favourite tracks: the game is over, better without you, take cover

    i don't think there are any bad songs, all are decent. it's worth a listen. I will listen again and again :V

    8.8/10    … Expand
  14. Vassouza
    Apr 2, 2021
    9
    The album is so gorgeous, you can see the old evanescence from the first albuma but now grown with powerful and kinda dark messages (even though sometimes is hard to hear Amy Lee's voice)
  15. mralariside
    Mar 30, 2021
    10
    An amazing album just like everything that they do. Great to have you back, Evanescence.
  16. Hamed24fa
    Mar 30, 2021
    10
    After so many years finally we have new album that caries Evanescence legacies
  17. Luc4551lv4
    Mar 29, 2021
    10
    Álbum extremamente maravilhoso e inspirador. Acredito ser o melhor melhor projeto já lançando pelo Evanescence
  18. mandyrs
    Mar 29, 2021
    0
    What a masterpiece! I've been listening on repeat since the release. Thank you so much for this!
  19. Godexcorp
    Mar 28, 2021
    10
    This is their best record so far! It needs few shuffle but you will realize it's a masterpiece
  20. Bruceiscontent
    Mar 28, 2021
    10
    The band that sparked an entire generation of attention grabbing self-harmers and dudes who date underage girls are BACK! AND THIS TIME THERE'S A PILL ON THE ALBUM COVER. #edgy
  21. Newton_lopez
    Mar 28, 2021
    10
    The Bitter Truth mostra o quão maduro está a banda em relação ao seu primeiro disco, Fallen. Nos entregando algo novo e ao mesmo tempo sendo o que eles são, o Evanescence dos anos 2000.
    Produção, instrumental e a doce voz de Amy Lee estão de parabéns.
  22. Rafael_CPA
    Mar 27, 2021
    3
    I waited for this album for many years, until I gave up on the band in Synthesis, which made it very clear that Amy Lee no longer had the capacity to lead Evanescence on the levels of the great Fallen, and then, mainly, The Open Door. (I have my personal reasons against Amy Lee on that, because she makes the band nothing more than a solo project with guest musicians whose name she keepsI waited for this album for many years, until I gave up on the band in Synthesis, which made it very clear that Amy Lee no longer had the capacity to lead Evanescence on the levels of the great Fallen, and then, mainly, The Open Door. (I have my personal reasons against Amy Lee on that, because she makes the band nothing more than a solo project with guest musicians whose name she keeps because that's what is profitable for her). I've found this work to be all about screaming lack of inspiration, creativity, cohesion and fidelity to the story that Evanescence built, since when it was just a trio (Amy, Ben and David). In a general context, the disc sounds without the slightest impact: the tracks don't converse with each other, which gives off the feeling that the album is a kind of compilation, with tracks from several distinct and unrelated compositional moments; the lyrics don't carry any depth: as much as some songs have tried to simulate that, neither Amy Lee nor the band have reached a level of transmission of any emotional heaviness that is minimally convincing about it; Amy Lee's vocals are muffled in multiple layers of effects, causing them to not reach any climax anywhere - in fact, the sound as a whole gets disordered in many passages due to bad mixing issues; the instrumental is something absolutely tasteless, and doesn't bring back anything that has always been highlighted in the band's discography, such as the classical piano and other instruments that have always been used to give an erudite atmosphere to many tracks, in a great contrast to the weight of the guitars, or the orchestrations, or even the choirs, that since the great second album have been so sorely missed, and which she could have used in Synthesis to make it magnanimous. If she wanted to completely change the essence of the sound, she should have put something nice in the place of everything she took away, and not just pad it out with tons of electronics like she did. For a return after 1 decade of so much difficulty to conceive new material, for me it was not worth the wait, not a single year. In my opinion, if she's up to keep things at this level, she'd better, artistically saying, dedicate herself to her solo career because though very shy yet, she might find herslf less blocked and may be able to find much more creative freedom, diversity, and quality than anything Evanescence released after The Open Door (which is not at all difficult to achieve, and this record proves it).… Expand
  23. Mairenescence
    Mar 27, 2021
    10
    The mixing is almost terrible, but keeping this aside, the album is perfect. The song themes, the voice of Amy, and the energy.
  24. Rodrag
    Mar 27, 2021
    10
    the most consistent album so far. is super intense, dark, strong and full of beautiful learnings about life. amazing work
  25. luizfelipe_crf
    Mar 27, 2021
    10
    I completely loved it! I'm really in love with this new album!
    So excited to new tour when we're all safe...

    Hugs and love from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  26. carlossantiaggo
    Mar 27, 2021
    10
    Best album ever produced, incredible, exciting music, everything we needed for this moment.
  27. BenTapmusic
    Mar 26, 2021
    10
    The Bitter Truth is an opulent and raw refreshment of reality after all these plastic pop singers last releases!!!
  28. ANDERSON022
    Mar 26, 2021
    10
    Álbum perfeito❤ Esse é o "Evanescence" voltou com tudo!
  29. Flawlessasurnot
    Mar 26, 2021
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Evanescence makes their return after 4 years of absence with an album so raw and as real as the ground we walk on. This album includes some scrapped tracks from previous albums (from their eponymous album and their debut), thus integrating a solid material. With current themes as lies and self benefit at other people's expense, the American band makes a great reverence to their musical trajectory and show their fans a darker and serious musical facet and that they are not absent from the present-day issues.… Expand
  30. JChristopher
    Mar 26, 2021
    10
    O problema do álbum de 2011 é que as músicas são muito homogêneas, o que não é o caso desse novo álbum. As faixas navegam por gêneros diferentes, e ao mesmo tempo mantém a mesma atmosfera e se completam. Fora alguns problemas pontuais na mixagem dos vocais, o álbum é perfeito.
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Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Apr 29, 2021
    60
    Not a great comeback, but just good enough. [Jun 2021, p.81]
  2. Rolling Stone
    Apr 6, 2021
    70
    All that conflict and drama might be a little too overpowering if not for Lee’s abiding faith in the power of a nice hoo. The album’s best moment is also its most self-assuredly poppy.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    Mar 30, 2021
    80
    Altogether, The Bitter Truth carries listeners on a journey both familiar and fresh, recapturing the heavy-yet-melodic hallmarks that made Fallen one of the most successful albums of the 2000s and pushing Evanescence into the future with a graceful maturity and worldly perspective.
    Read full review
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