American Idol finalist Carly Smithson joins with former Evanescence members

[Kilhart]

We Are The Fallen Rises From Evanescence's Ashes

Ben Moody predicts that his just-unveiled new band, We Are The Fallen, will enjoy a peaceful co-existence rather than mortal combat with his old group, Evanescence.

"We wish them the best," Moody, who co-founded Evanescence with singer Amy Lee in 1995 and left the band 2003 after co-writing its multi-platinum debut, "Fallen," tells Billboard.com. He formed We Are The Fallen earlier this year with original Evanescence members John LeCompt on guitar and Rocky Gray on drums, adding bassist Marty O'Brien and "American Idol" Season 7 finalist Carly Smithson on vocals.

"There's not really an Evanescence now," Moody adds. "It's Amy Lee playing as Evanescence with a bunch of other guys hired to play our parts. And she's amazing -- an incredible front person, a great songwriter, an incredible singer. There's no reason we can't both exist in the world. Musically, we're going in completely different directions; 'The Open Door' (Evanescence's 2006 album) sounds nothing like We Are The Fallen."

After We Are The Fallen was unveiled, Lee issued a statement saying that "there's some pretty weird stuff flying around right now" and that Evanescence is "working on new material that I'm extremely excited about...Look out for new music next year." Moody feels the statement "kind of validates my point. I don't really think she's at all threatened by us. She said, 'Don't worry, you'll have your music next year.' But people might want something to listen to before then. That's what we're here for."

We Are The Fallen has released its first song, "Bury Me Alive," on its official web site, WeAreTheFallen.com. Rather than bring out an album, Moody says the group plans to release new material sporadically via the Internet; another track is due out in September before the quintet hits the road and then the band will release two songs every eight weeks. Moody says We Are The Fallen is considering a terrestrial CD for 2010 that may contain extended versions of the songs as well as orchestral interludes and perhaps even live recordings and footage from the tour.

"I just think we live in an instant gratification world where bands need to hit quicker," Moody explains. "The great thing about 'Bury Me Alive' is it was mastered on a Friday and released on a Monday. We're not tired of listening to it in our cars yet. And as far as fans go, you won't see us disappear for a year and a half or sometimes three years so we can write and record an album. You're gonna get the absolute heart and soul of our creativity, and you're going to get that immediately. That way every song matters, and I think the music will be better that way."

Besides its new material, We Are The Fallen does plan to play songs from "Fallen" on tour; the group even played that album's "Going Under" at a press conference on Monday in Los Angeles.

Their first single isn't bad. Amy Lee has a great voice to begin with, but Carly's voice is different.. stronger, I'd say.

YouTube - Bury Me Alive - (We Are) The Fallen

[Ratatapa]

This gonna start a fight between

CArly and Amy just like nightwish with Tarja vs Anette?

[Tyche]

As, like, one of 2 or 3 avid american idol fans on these boards, I was a huge Smithson fan. With that said, she sounds like Amy Lee lite. That's not really a knock against her...she'll do fine, it's just that Amy's vocals are...like whoa...

[BadKarma]

I do not like it.

[Epical]

To be honest? Meh. With Evanescence making another album due out in 2010, this group should just fade into the back. Now, if Evanescence takes a liking to them, and WATF opens for them on a nationwide tour or something, that would be cool. Then again, who would want to sit through two sets of the same stuff?

[BadKarma]

Also, NO female rock singer can hold a candle to Amy, imo. Not even Hayley (and believe me i love me some Paramore), sorry Epical x.x

[Headspace]

Too bad Amy sounds like trash live.

[Kilhart]

IMO Carly needs to lead the band, and not the other way around. Her voice has a distinct quality, and she needs to capitalize on that so the band doesn't become just an Evanescence clone. I hear it a bit in the single, but it needs to come out more for them to really break through. 2:25-2:40 (in the single) is the sound I want to hear more of... things like that will make this band better than Evanescence, IMO.

[thestalkmore]

More Nightwish lite

[Rhinox]

Fucking clone of evanescence. do not like

[Plow]

Not bad but pretty much this:

As, like, one of 2 or 3 avid american idol fans on these boards, I was a huge Smithson fan. With that said, she sounds like Amy Lee lite. That's not really a knock against her...she'll do fine, it's just that Amy's vocals are...like whoa...

Don't try to immitate something you cannot match, it fails.

[Olo401]

Also, NO female rock singer can hold a candle to Amy, imo. Not even Hayley (and believe me i love me some Paramore), sorry Epical x.x

I won't go that far, but just the fact that Hayley is fuckin' annoying means Amy beats her any day.

edit: the lead singer for Silversun Pickups is better than both of them, and that's saying a lot since it's a guy that sounds like a chick.

[Rhinox]

I won't go that far, but just the fact that Hayley is fuckin' annoying means Amy beats her any day.

edit: the lead singer for Silversun Pickups is better than both of them, and that's saying a lot since it's a guy that sounds like a chick.

lol I had to watch the youtube vid when i first heard the lead singer was a guy.

[Isiolia]

Also, NO female rock singer can hold a candle to Amy, imo. Not even Hayley (and believe me i love me some Paramore), sorry Epical x.x

Sharon den Adel?

[Celeste]

I liked Bury Me Alive to be honest with you all. She sounds similar to Amy Lee, but not so much that she's a clone. There quite a few moments of where she sounded better. But this was just their first song we've heard. I'm sure we'll hear better in time.

[Kilhart]

The main problem I actually have is how Carly all of a sudden went from her usual low-key look to that goth rocker look.. as good as she looks, I find it disingenuous, and she looked fine the way she was.

Example:
YouTube - We Are The Fallen Interview - 6.23.09

[Guitarman]

Also, NO female rock singer can hold a candle to Amy, imo. Not even Hayley (and believe me i love me some Paramore), sorry Epical x.x

Christina Scabbia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WHEqpoADTY&feature=PlayList&p=AA73F371CEF B432B&index=6

Also she's ungodly hot too.

Edit: working video.

[Komm Suesser Tod]

The main problem I actually have is how Carly all of a sudden went from her usual low-key look to that goth rocker look.. as good as she looks, I find it disingenuous, and she looked fine the way she was.

Example:
YouTube - We Are The Fallen Interview - 6.23.09

Same thing happened when Nightwish got a new lead singer. The only other band the new girl had been in was an ABBA cover band. I saw them live on the first leg of the American tour with her, and again the next year, and she went from nice and bubbly to holy shit arm tattoos and piercings.