03-04-2025
Evanescence Scores Its First Hit In Years, With Help From Netflix
Evanescence returns to the Billboard charts with 'Afterlife,' which debuts on two rock airplay ... More charts while 'Bring Me to Life' and Fallen continue to thrive. Singer Amy Lee from US rock band Evanescence performs at the main stage of the Rock in Rio music festival at the Rio 2016 Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on September 15, 2024. (Photo by Mauro PIMENTEL / AFP) (Photo by MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)
Evanescence doesn't drop new music all that often these days, so when a track does finally arrive, it's rather exciting for fans. The Grammy-winning rock band was once a mainstay on the charts, back when hits like "Bring Me to Life" and 'My Immortal' were inescapable. In more recent years, it's become clear the group is in no rush to dominate the market, choosing instead to release songs sporadically.
The hard rockers are back on the Billboard charts thanks to a new single titled "Afterlife." It's the band's first proper release in a few years, and even though it's not a blockbuster just yet, a win is a win, and fans seem to be into the cut.
"Afterlife" opens on a pair of rock-focused Billboard rankings this frame, kicking off what could become a lengthy run for the track. While it didn't generate enough streams or sales to land on charts centered around those metrics, it has managed to break through at radio, at least a little.
The tune debuts at No. 38 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, which ranks the most-played tracks at 'mainstream' rock radio stations – which can mean 'harder' – across the U.S. At the same time, it barely finds a home on the Rock & Alternative Airplay tally, coming in at No. 50.
"Afterlife" brings Evanescence back to the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart for the first time since 2021. Back then, "Better Without You" climbed as high as No. 20. That cut marked the third time the band had reached the ranking, so this latest debut brings the group's total number of appearances to just four — a surprisingly low figure, given how massive the band once was.
Over on the Mainstream Rock Airplay list, Evanescence has been more successful. "Afterlife" becomes the band's twelfth song to land on that genre-specific tally.
For now, "Afterlife" appears to be a standalone single. It's not tied to an upcoming album or EP, at least not yet. According to a social media post from the band, the tune was recorded specifically for the Netflix animated series Devil May Cry. It's featured in episodes six and seven of the show, according to the group.
While "Afterlife" is just getting started, another Evanescence hit continues to perform remarkably well more than two decades after it first dropped. "Bring Me to Life," the cut that launched the band to superstardom, is still present on the Hard Rock Streaming Songs chart. This week, the single holds steady at No. 15 as it celebrates its 250 turns on the ranking.
Evanescence also manages one placement on a Billboard albums chart this frame. Fallen, the band's massive breakout full-length, improves slightly on the Top Hard Rock Albums chart. It rises from No. 22 to No. 19, gaining a bit of ground, and excitement around "Afterlife" may be to thank.
