Evanescence’s Amy Lee: “I’d do anything to work with Tim Burton”

Evanescence’s Amy Lee and director Tim Burton
(Image credit: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage))

Evanescence’s Amy Lee has revealed that she harbours a dream of working with Tim Burton.

Speaking exclusively in the brand new issue of Metal Hammer, the singer revealed her love of the goth-adjacent director behind 1989’s Batman and its sequel Batman Returns, Edward Scissorhands and Sleepy Hoillow, and the producer of A Nightmare Before Christmas.

“I’d do anything to work with Tim Burton,” Amy tells Hammer. “I love him, but I’ve never been able to meet him. I got to meet [frequent Burton musical collaborator] Danny Elfman – he had me come over to his house. I wanted to learn more about Danny’s process!

You may like

“I would love to meet Tim Burton, but there would have to be a reason, there would need to be the right project, the right film. That would be a moment where you could just print up the tombstone. It’s his contrast; everything is like a cartoon, the colours are like a dream of life, like a painting that’s come to life.

“But, in addition, there is this part that is grief, or pain, or something really messed up that seems to come from a child’s perspective. Which, having been through grief as a child [Amy’s younger sister died at the age of three], I really relate to.”

In the same interview, Amy reveals that she didn’t think Evanescence’s breakthrough hit Bring Me To Life stood out when it was written and recorded.

“I thought it was great… but I didn’t think it was any better than any of the other songs on the album [2003 debut Fallen],” she says. “I guess that’s why people can’t replicate a hit, it’s not a mathematical formula! That song just connected with people.”

Evanescence’s UK tour begins in London on November 14, with Within Temptation also on the bill.  

Read the full interview with Amy in the brand new issue of Metal Hammer. Order your copy here and have it delivered straight to your door.

Metal Hammer issue 367

(Image credit: Future)

Metal Hammer issue 367

(Image credit: Future)
Metal Hammer

Founded in 1983, Metal Hammer is the global home of all things heavy. We have breaking news, exclusive interviews with the biggest bands and names in metal, rock, hardcore, grunge and beyond, expert reviews of the lastest releases and unrivalled insider access to metal's most exciting new scenes and movements. No matter what you're into – be it heavy metal, punk, hardcore, grunge, alternative, goth, industrial, djent or the stuff so bizarre it defies classification – you'll find it all here, backed by the best writers in our game.

Read more
Tobias Sammet Press 2025
"Bruce Dickinson, if you read this: call me!" Avantasia and Edguy frontman Tobias Sammett is a legend to power metal fans - so we got them to interview him for us
Mimi Barks Press Shoot 2024
"I went to an award show with my **** out, just wearing chains. Lordi thought I looked cool.” Five minutes with nu gen provocateur Mimi Barks
Jerry Cantrell Press Pic 2024
"While I survived the 90s, not all of me did." Alice In Chains icon Jerry Cantrell on riffs, extreme metal and the best rock record to come from Seattle
Bullet For My Valentine press pic 2005
"Lars Ulrich came barging in. He’s like, ‘Hey, I’m Lars!’ F*** yeah you are!" Bullet For My Valentine's Matt Tuck recalls meeting his heroes for the first time (and regrets falling out with Rob Zombie)
Spiritbox on the cover of the new issue of Metal Hammer
"The goal is world domination." Spiritbox are on the cover of Metal Hammer as one of the most exciting bands in modern metal prepare to unleash Tsunami Sea
Cate Blanchett
"When people make beds of sound like that, it goes into you in a visceral way." Hollywood superstar Cate Blanchett names her favourite rock bands
Latest in
Vera Farmiga in 2021
The Conjuring star Vera Farmiga announces debut album with her heavy metal band The Yagas
'Emo' Ed Sheeran busking
Watch Ed Sheeran cover Chappell Roan's Pink Pony Club on the New York subway while disguised as an emo busker
A close-up shot of the Marshall Major IV on-ear headphones on a turquoise, blue and black background.
I’ve never seen the Marshall Major IV headphones this cheap before - get them for half price in Amazon’s big spring sale
Evanescence in 2025
Evanescence release new song Afterlife from Devil May Cry TV series soundtrack, have their next album in the works
Tony Banks
“You only have to hear the opening sweep to reach for your lighter and wave it in the air”: Tony Banks' greatest Genesis moments
The Horrors
Ghouls Aloud: The Horrors come back from the dead with "a dazzling nocturnal spectacle of sombre reflections and oozing catharsis"
Latest in News
Vera Farmiga in 2021
The Conjuring star Vera Farmiga announces debut album with her heavy metal band The Yagas
'Emo' Ed Sheeran busking
Watch Ed Sheeran cover Chappell Roan's Pink Pony Club on the New York subway while disguised as an emo busker
A close-up shot of the Marshall Major IV on-ear headphones on a turquoise, blue and black background.
I’ve never seen the Marshall Major IV headphones this cheap before - get them for half price in Amazon’s big spring sale
Evanescence in 2025
Evanescence release new song Afterlife from Devil May Cry TV series soundtrack, have their next album in the works
Bruce Dickinson in 2024 and a painting of William Blake in 1759
“This deluxe edition contains actual soil from the grave of William Blake”: Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson is releasing a comic book compilation with dirt from the resting place of one of England’s most famous poets
Steven Wilson in 2015 and Playboi Carti in 2025
“I’ve been touring around indie record stores, and I’ve yet to meet anyone who’s even heard of Playboi Carti”: Steven Wilson comments on chart battle with superstar rapper