Origin (Evanescence album)

''Origin'' is the first demo album by American rock band Evanescence. Although initially deemed the group's debut album, it is a collection of home-recorded demos. It was self-released in 2000, with 2,500 copies made. The Bigwig Enterprises website sold the demo album in limited numbers.

Background

''Origin'' was produced by a friend of the band members. It was self-released in 2000, with 2,500 copies reproduced. Although originally considered a full-length album, co-founder Amy Lee confirmed it was a "dressed up" demo CD, and it is regarded today as an extended collection of demos. Lee stated in 2003, She later added:

Immediately after the release of band's debut album ''Fallen'' (2003), ''Origin'' was being sold for on eBay. In 2003, both Lee and co-founder Ben Moody encouraged fans to download it rather than purchase it for such high prices online.

''Origin'' contains earlier versions of "Whisper", "Imaginary", and "My Immortal", which appeared on ''Fallen'', as well as a re-recorded version of the track "Where Will You Go", which previously appeared on the ''Evanescence'' EP released in 1998. One known track omitted was "Catherine", which Lee and Moody wrote on an acoustic guitar in the parking lot of a movie theater. "Anywhere" originally featured Moody as backup vocals rather than David Hodges found on the official vinyl release.

"Whisper" was released as the lead single from ''Origin''.

Release

''Origin'' was released commercially for the first time in December 2016 as a part of '' The Ultimate Collection'' vinyl box set. In an interview, Lee explained why she included it on the box set:

It's something I've always cringed about because ever since we made a real studio album and honed in our sound and became Evanescence and made ''Fallen'', I'm like, 'OK, everything before this we were just practicing.' But many fans love ''Origin'' and talk about ''Origin'' and wish ''Origin'' would be released. I've been against it for 13 years, but for the first time I guess I have enough separation from it to look at it and feel like, 'Y'know what? I see why that's cool. As a fan, I want to listen to that too.' So having that whole change of heart was really huge.

Critical reception

Sam Law of ''Kerrang!'' said that "there's limited reason for anyone other than die-hards to seek it out", deeming "Lies" the stand out track for Lee's "towering classical soprano delivery – the peak nu-metal synth/guitar interplay and additional death growls courtesy of Living Sacrifice vocalist Bruce Fitzhugh".

Track listing

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''Origin''.

Evanescence

*Amy Lee – vocals, piano, keyboards, arrangements
*Ben Moody – guitar, programming, engineer
*David Hodges – keyboards, backing vocals

Additional musicians
* Will Boyd – bass on "Away From Me"
* Bruce Fitzhugh and Stephanie Pierce – vocals on "Lies"
* Suvi Petrajajrvi, Sara Moore, Catherine Harris and Samantha Strong – female vocal ensemble on "Field of Innocence"

Technical

* Brad Blackwood – mastering
* Soundforge – recording technology

References

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Evanescence albums
2000 albums
Demo albums
Self-released albums