Lindsey Stirling isn't just a collaborator when it comes to her relationship with Evanescence. Far from it: first and foremost, she's a proper, died-in-the-wool fan. Having joined forces with Amy Lee and Evanescence back in 2017 as a guest on their Synthesis album – making her only the second collaborator Evanescence had ever invited to record to them, having had their fingers burnt by the involvement of a certain rapper on a certain 2003 hit single – the two also announced a co-headline tour together in 2018.
You can see why their creative partnership works. Stirling's work holds plenty of parallels with Lee's. Basing her new album, Artemis, on the Greek goddess of the moon, Stirling tells the story on an "unlikely heroine who represents the fight in all of us to reclaim light back into our lives" – a subject Lee has proudly explored in her own work, with Bring Me To Life analysing life in and after an abusive relationship. The two are both preoccupied by telling the stories of women who fight and struggle, but ultimately triumph.
To celebrate new album Artemis and Evanescence's 2020 tour – more details on both at the bottom of the page – here, Stirling guides us through her favourite Evanescence tracks.
Bring Me To Life (Fallen, 2003)
My Immortal (Fallen, 2003)
Imperfection (Synthesis, 2017)
I listened to Amy sing this live every night before we would go on stage together for our encore and this song is so powerful. It would give me chills. I love that she is pleading in the song for you, me, all of us to never surrender.
Lithium (The Open Door, 2006)
Going Under (Fallen, 2003)
Hi-Lo (Synthesis, 2017)
This will always be a special song for me because this was a dream come true for me. I had loved Amy for years and suddenly I was asked to write and play on a song of hers. Then I got to perform it with her every night on tour. I will always love this song.
My Heart Is Broken (Evanescence, 2011)
What You Want (Evanescence, 2011)
Call Me When You’re Sober (The Open Door, 2006)
Lindsey Stirling's new album, Artemis, is out now. Her US Christmas tour kicks off next month, and full dates are on her official site.
Evanescence's Amy Lee is currently Metal Hammer's cover star. Find your copy in shops or order online while stocks last from My Favourite Magazines.
Evanescence and Within Temptation are heading out on tour together in 2020 – you can check out full dates now.