Evanescence frontwoman Amy Lee has spoken out against the use of the word “goth” to describe her band’s music, in a statement covered by Louder Sound.
Lee explained why she has always had a strong aversion to the label being applied to Evanescence. She pushed back against a term that has long followed the band throughout their career.
“Honestly, I never liked that word [goth],” Lee said. “I was like an alt rock, ripped-up jeans kind of girl. The word goth [to describe Evanescence’s music] is stupid. I hate that word.”
While rejecting the specific label, Lee acknowledged that she is not entirely opposed to the idea of categorization in general.
“I don’t think that word is particularly modern, but I don’t really care,” she continued. “Labels are labels, whatever you want to call it, is fine. We know who we are, and where we’ve come to is full of so much amazing growth, but it’s also full of, like, respecting where we came from.”
Lee’s comments reflect a broader conversation around how Evanescence’s sound has evolved over the years. The band continues to define their identity on their own terms.
Her remarks come at a particularly active period for the band. Evanescence are in the midst of one of their most ambitious creative phases to date — one that makes the question of genre labels feel more relevant than ever.
The Evanescence Reference reported that the band’s sixth studio album, Sanctuary, is scheduled for release on June 5, 2026, through BMG — marking a significant new chapter for the group. The record is described as a large body of work, with Amy Lee noting, “This album is over three…” — hinting at the scale and ambition behind the project.
The album’s production process further underscores the band’s refusal to be boxed in. The Evanescence Reference noted that Evanescence recorded with producer Nick Raskulinecz in autumn 2024. Sessions continued into a broader album process involving multiple producers — a creative approach that signals a more expansive and experimental direction for the band.
The timing of Lee’s genre comments also aligns with a period of sustained momentum for the group. Prior to the album’s announcement, Lee had confirmed that Evanescence would release songs throughout 2025, including material from the album and possible side projects. This points to a band actively shaping its own narrative rather than resting on a legacy identity.
It is worth noting that Evanescence’s resistance to the “goth” tag is not entirely new. As I Have That on Vinyl observed, the band’s landmark debut Fallen rose to radio royalty on the back of Lee’s vocals and a “post-grungy alt rock backing” — a description that sits far closer to the band’s own self-image than the goth label ever did. From the very beginning, Evanescence’s sound was rooted in alternative rock. Lee’s latest comments are simply a continuation of that long-standing position.
Taken together, the new album, the ongoing creative evolution, and Lee’s candid remarks all paint a picture of a band that knows exactly who they are — and has little patience for anyone who tries to tell them otherwise.
