The Open Door
by Evanescence
  • Record Label: Wind-Up
  • Release Date: Oct 3, 2006
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 231 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 195 out of 231
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 231
  3. Negative: 20 out of 231

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  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. GamecubeLover
    Jul 3, 2016
    10
    This is one of the best evanescence albums the band has created. The songs are meaningful and they aren't bad at all. This is not her best album but it's like the 3rd one.
  3. JuanL
    Oct 7, 2006
    8
    Ben Moody's abscence jumps right in front of your eyes... but that's not bad at all. All of us knew that overpassing the iconic "Fallen" was a though task, and I still think "Fallen" was better than "The open door". However this album is another great job by the lovely Amy Lee, her voice again is the best reminder of why we love Evanescence. This disc is more private than Ben Moody's abscence jumps right in front of your eyes... but that's not bad at all. All of us knew that overpassing the iconic "Fallen" was a though task, and I still think "Fallen" was better than "The open door". However this album is another great job by the lovely Amy Lee, her voice again is the best reminder of why we love Evanescence. This disc is more private than "Fallen" which was very commercial; and also has more music diversity (Lacrymosa'd fit in any Halloween celebration), so in the end is different from "Fallen". The main defect of "The open door" is the lack of strenght throughout the whole disc. Some songs are just tiring pieces. Overall is a wonderful disc by a band that has still too many things to offer, since this is only their second album... musically speaking, we'll have Evanescence for a while.… Expand
  4. 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 my favorite album of the year. WOW! You just can't count on critics anymore.
  5. AnthonyJ
    Oct 4, 2006
    7
    I really wanted to like this CD...Fallen was a classic; innovative, emotional, and musically respectable. No other artists have been able to blend rock-goth-and positive energy. It was dark and moody, but still uplifting and energizing. The new CD has two, maybe three songs that are creative, confident, and catchy. The rest of the album is predictable; lacking innovative vocal and I really wanted to like this CD...Fallen was a classic; innovative, emotional, and musically respectable. No other artists have been able to blend rock-goth-and positive energy. It was dark and moody, but still uplifting and energizing. The new CD has two, maybe three songs that are creative, confident, and catchy. The rest of the album is predictable; lacking innovative vocal and instrumental harmonies and sounding scripted/redundant. Overall, its a good album compared to everything else out there, but the search for a female-led true rock and roll band still continues.… Expand
  6. AyonF
    Oct 5, 2006
    10
    BACK WITH MATURITY, DIVERSITY AND MAYBE ANOTHER MULTI PLATINUM RECORD After 3 years of absence, the gothic band that sold about 14 million copies last time has come back with more a new different style
  7. Connor
    Jan 24, 2007
    9
    Fantastic. Any fan of Fallen will love this. The best songs are Lithium, Lacrymosa and Like You which are all brilliant! Although a bit less dark than Fallen, that doesn't matter, it is still a great effort.
  8. Ori
    Mar 10, 2007
    10
    This album isnt for 1st listening and not even 2nd. After you hear it couple of times You realize how good it is! Great album!
  9. AdamR
    Oct 11, 2006
    9
    It's brilliant. Although it takes a little more time to break through the layers that fallen, it's well worth the repeat listens. Far superior in terms of complexity and depth.
  10. SamL
    Nov 1, 2006
    10
    The CD is amazing. Amy Lee's vocals are stronger than ever! And Evanescence is concert is beyond amazing, they sounded awsome! This CD rocks! Keep it up, Ev! I love you guys!
  11. DonS
    Oct 12, 2006
    9
    This was an excellent CD! No, it is not "Fallen", but the band is in a different place than it was 3 years ago. "The Open Door" is a fine example of a musical group that is still growing, still evolving. Amy's voice is nothing short of phenomenal. I believe that Evanescence is one of the few musical groups that has escaped the "sophomore jinx" as far as albums go...
  12. GailW
    Oct 20, 2006
    10
    Amy Lee has put her heart and soul into a beautiful gothic album. "Lithium" is pure gothic extasy ~ god bless the bleeding heart and soul of Kurt Cobain. The opening song is astounding. She uses her vocals in all sorts of beautiful wails and it is bliss to hear her at the peak of her vocal lifetime. Amy Lee was born to sing, and she is singing it all very beautifully with all kinds of Amy Lee has put her heart and soul into a beautiful gothic album. "Lithium" is pure gothic extasy ~ god bless the bleeding heart and soul of Kurt Cobain. The opening song is astounding. She uses her vocals in all sorts of beautiful wails and it is bliss to hear her at the peak of her vocal lifetime. Amy Lee was born to sing, and she is singing it all very beautifully with all kinds of textures and highlights and lowlights throughout the album. I love the fact that the album is over 55 minutes long. That means she really has faith in the material and is happy with it. That makes for a great live show, which it was when I saw her a few days ago at the Riviera Club in Chicago. She had so many more ballads to sing and so many more rocking songs that she coudln't possibly put them all into one concert. Two years ago her show suffered a little because of the shortness of it, but she has more than made up for it for her loyal fans. She is a gothic goddess whose songs are to be nurtured and cherished by those of the same nature. So go buy it!… Expand
  13. DericC.
    Oct 25, 2006
    9
    I wasn't a big fan of Fallen but decided to take a gamble and get this CD. I am definitely not regretting it. Amy Lee's vocals are flawless, it's really beautiful. She reaches all the notes effortlessly while creating an emotional atmosphere. Tracks like "Lacrymosa" and "Good Enough" are pure genius. However, if there is a problem with the CD, I don't see any other I wasn't a big fan of Fallen but decided to take a gamble and get this CD. I am definitely not regretting it. Amy Lee's vocals are flawless, it's really beautiful. She reaches all the notes effortlessly while creating an emotional atmosphere. Tracks like "Lacrymosa" and "Good Enough" are pure genius. However, if there is a problem with the CD, I don't see any other commercial tracks worthy to be released as singles. Even "Call Me When You're Sober" wasn't immediately appealing. Not a single track is as immediately likeable as the singles from Fallen. Plus there should have been more slower moments such as "Good Enough". I hope this album sells a lot more than Fallen although it might be quite impossible.… Expand
  14. Josh
    Dec 6, 2006
    10
    Very addicting, fresh and new. Has a spooky vibe and is easily the best CD of 2006.
  15. AnitaB
    Oct 30, 2006
    8
    "Fallen" was like a one long boring tracks. "The Open Door" is a more complete album, with a few experimental tracks like "Your Star". Interpretation on "Lithium" is the top of the album and maybe would be the new "My Immortal".
  16. deynag
    Oct 30, 2006
    10
    its the best song i have ever heard its so cool its way better then any other of her songs! wat is wrong with u people it needs a 20 out off 10
  17. sarab
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    This is one of the most original albums I have ever heard. Every song has it's own musical theme and how she uses her voice is amazing!! well worth the wait, thankfully!!!
  18. C.J.Ferguson
    Oct 4, 2006
    9
    I loved Fallen, Open Door is equal on all fronts. Great buy for $10 from wally world
  19. ShankarG
    Oct 5, 2006
    10
    Dark, teasing, gothic delights ~ Amy Lee is a goddess who is just exploring her own inner world of goth. Her voice is the voice of a gothic angel -- my god, the girl even looks goth wearing blue jeans and no make up -- and she is crying about love one thinks but she is also crying about the fallen nature of the human condition. Her lyrical and musical nuances in the beautiful subtle Dark, teasing, gothic delights ~ Amy Lee is a goddess who is just exploring her own inner world of goth. Her voice is the voice of a gothic angel -- my god, the girl even looks goth wearing blue jeans and no make up -- and she is crying about love one thinks but she is also crying about the fallen nature of the human condition. Her lyrical and musical nuances in the beautiful subtle "ballads" are detected only by those who are true fans of goth music -- the kind that we have forgotten about such as Lycia, Black Tape for a Blue Girl, and Switchbalde Symphony. Of course "The Open Door" won't sell as many as "Fallen" did, but so what. So what if many will think that "The Open Door" is not as "good" as "Fallen." It's different ~ the young lady has not gone out and made another "Fallen." She has turned the gothic dial, and this is the one she is singing now and is also the one which will retain the true fans of Amy Lee and of true goth music, and lose the idiots. Having said all of this, "The Open Door" is simply beautiful! Simply majestic! Amy is a great great young artist.… Expand
  20. BrettV
    Oct 9, 2006
    10
    I became an Evanescence fan when I heard "Going Under" from Fallen in 2003. I promptly bought that album and it became my favorite one - and the group became my favorite band as well. Soon after that I heard Origin and the majority of the band's unreleased material. My musical interests have expanded greatly since I first got into Evanescence, yet they remained my favorite act I became an Evanescence fan when I heard "Going Under" from Fallen in 2003. I promptly bought that album and it became my favorite one - and the group became my favorite band as well. Soon after that I heard Origin and the majority of the band's unreleased material. My musical interests have expanded greatly since I first got into Evanescence, yet they remained my favorite act despite the lack of new material from them in the past few years. I'd been looking forward to the release of their next album with great anticipation and very high expectations, but I must say that those hopes were a bit mellower than they could have been because one of the things I enjoyed most about Fallen was Ben Moody's guitar riffs. I was also afraid the quality of the songwriting would decrease with Moody's departure. Fortunately these misgivings were unfounded. Terry Balsamo is a more than adequate replacement - in fact, I think the band is better with him than with Moody. Amy Lee does not disappoint with her writing or piano playing, either, and her voice is once again sublime. She's the best thing about the band and as long as she's around I no longer see any reason to think that Evanescence will do anything but improve. I've now listened to The Open Door more than 20 times and I can say with complete confidence that it has supplanted Fallen as my favorite album ever and it improves on all the band's previous efforts in every possible way.… Expand
  21. Aerows
    Oct 27, 2007
    10
    Amy Lee's voice has just gotten stronger, and her band has just gotten better. The Open Door has all of the elements of a top-notch rock album, but what sets it apart is it is injected with strong personal experience. I didn't like this album much when I first listened to it, which is always a good sign for me - the albums I'm not entirely sure about, if they manage to stay Amy Lee's voice has just gotten stronger, and her band has just gotten better. The Open Door has all of the elements of a top-notch rock album, but what sets it apart is it is injected with strong personal experience. I didn't like this album much when I first listened to it, which is always a good sign for me - the albums I'm not entirely sure about, if they manage to stay with me, tend to become favorites. This one has staying power.… Expand
  22. AmandaG
    Feb 5, 2007
    10
    I don't care what anyone says about this album! I believe it to be an absolutely gorgeous triumph over the previous Fallen. The spooky vibes are enough to chill you to the bone and it tells all that life ain't so pretty, but it still can be a masterpiece.
  23. JC
    Feb 6, 2007
    9
    Contrary to what other people have been saying, this album is better than their last album-- Fallen. this is a must buy for ANY evanescence fan out there. Some good songs you should listen to once you get the album: Lithium, Lacrymosa, Snow White Queen, Your Star, Call me when you're sober, and Good Enough.
  24. KatieW
    Apr 15, 2007
    10
    Really great CD. Amy has a great voice range and most of the songs showcase her singing. I'm glad to hear more piano along with a harder guitar sound.
  25. TiarO
    Oct 11, 2006
    10
    Beautiful songs, excellent vocals, sublime record. Evanescence have shown that they can alter their style slightly to improve and to grow. The melodys of many of the songs have a noticably arabic electric guitar tine to them, which is nothing short of genius. You'll find yourself staring hard at the lyrics provided with the album as you listen to Amy lee pull off some absolutly Beautiful songs, excellent vocals, sublime record. Evanescence have shown that they can alter their style slightly to improve and to grow. The melodys of many of the songs have a noticably arabic electric guitar tine to them, which is nothing short of genius. You'll find yourself staring hard at the lyrics provided with the album as you listen to Amy lee pull off some absolutly fantastic and original vocals, lost in her stories and tales, grateful that she ever shared them in the first place. My favourite album of all time, and the only record I see as perfect. Highlights are All That I'm Living For, Sweet Sacrifice and Like You. Nothing short of masterful.… Expand
  26. RayhanT
    Oct 12, 2006
    10
    One of da best albums i have eva heard....Evanescence did an awesome job...Amy lee's vocals was superb..and the new guitarist was really gud 2....i loved it...!!!
  27. JennyS
    Oct 13, 2006
    10
    I think it is a very good album and shows a lot of Amy Lee's personal feelings about her life.
  28. SilvioP
    Nov 8, 2006
    9
    its a very good album but it could be better, it has great and original lyrics, its sometimes strengthless and amazeless compared to Fallen, but it has more plot, its like a history of someone trying to get free but it realize that it has to die to release itself, and at the end it dies and that feels Good Enough. And the Grammy goes to...
  29. Sarah
    Oct 21, 2006
    10
    Everyone has their views on the album, but I think it is absolutely a-m-a-z-i-n-g, if Evanescence was not good then they wouldn't be going to the top of the billboard charts w/their songs and selling all those albums world wide. I guess you have to be a true ev fan to really understand the music. Evanescence music has helped me so much in the past years. Everyone has their faviorite Everyone has their views on the album, but I think it is absolutely a-m-a-z-i-n-g, if Evanescence was not good then they wouldn't be going to the top of the billboard charts w/their songs and selling all those albums world wide. I guess you have to be a true ev fan to really understand the music. Evanescence music has helped me so much in the past years. Everyone has their faviorite band, Evanescence just so happens to be mine. I admire Amy and the band for all that have acomplished, but hey atleast she's better than some people. Just think if you were in Amy's shoes what your life would be like, if you could see and feel the hell that she went through and see if you wouldn't write songs like she does, that what makes me admire her so much is that she is able to write her pain on paper. she may-b a person just like everyone else but she does still have to deal with other things that we don't. To be totally honest I think some people are just jealous because they don't have the success that she has.… Expand
  30. NickS
    Oct 24, 2006
    8
    Excellent guitar work and Amy Lee improves on the band formula.
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Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Most Discussed Album of 2006
46
#46 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. Blender
    70
    Denser and more scuzzed-up than Fallen, the album amps everything up to gloriously epic, over-the-top proportions. [Oct 2006, p.129]
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  2. Billboard
    70
    Those who embraced "Fallen" will doubtlessly fall even harder into "The Open Door."
    Read full review
  3. The New York Times
    50
    Many of these theatrical, midtempo songs run together.
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See all critic reviews »