VOTE IN LINK: The Red Hot Chili Peppers (5) vs. Evanescence (12)
April 9, 2020
Here at the NEIU Independent, we’ve organized a tournament to determine which band ruled the mid-to-late 2000s, otherwise known as the MySpace Era. A generation that gravitated toward rock and its various subgenres, the mid-2000s were defined by the emergence of punk, pop punk and emo, three subgenres that experienced peak commercial success. While rock and its subgenres no longer monopolize the airwaves, the bands that propelled punk and emo to the tops of charts possess a resiliency that keeps them near and dear to the hearts of listeners. This first round matchup is between The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Evanescence.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers
The 2000s began with the 2002’s By The Way, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200 and sold a cumulative 286,000 copies in its first week. Operating as a deviation away from THRC’s traditional brand of punk-funk, By the Way emtombed vocalist Anthony Kiedis’ jarringly authentic lyricism underneath catchy rock riffs and bass lines.
Four years later, The Red Hot Chili Peppers released the critically acclaimed Stadium Arcadium, which fused elements from each of TRHC’s past efforts. The album earned the California rockers five Grammy Awards out of seven nominations, the most ever for a band that was, at the time, entering its 21st year together. Stadium Arcadium also earned The Red Hot Chili Pepper’s their first Billboard Top 200 album, debuting at No. 1 and remaining there for a second week. The album’s lead single “Dani California” essentially monopolized the Billboard Alternative Rock Chart, spending 14 weeks at the No. 1 spot. “Snow (Hey Oh)” soon joined “Dani California” atop the charts, holding the top spot on the Billboard Rock Chart for five consecutive weeks.
Evanescence
2003’s Fallen will forever define Little Rock gothic rockers Evanescence. While 2006’s The Open Door went double platinum in the United States while topping five charts–including the Billboard Top 200 and Rock Charts–Fallen is recognized as an era-defining, transcendental album that introduced the world to the brilliance of vocalist Amy Lee.
Featuring the high-energy “Bring Me to Life” and the introspective “My Immortal,” Fallen rode Lee’s hauntingly confrontational vocals to No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200, selling 8 million records domestically and 17 million worldwide. The album also earned five Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year, Best Rock Album, Best Rock Song, Best Hard Rock Song and Best New Artist, with the then-trio (Lee, guitarist Ben Moody and multi-instrumentalist David Hodges) claiming the latter two. “My Immortal” also earned a nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals.
Justin Willis • May 5, 2020 at 11:45 pm
Anyone who puts Evanescence above RHCP is fucking INSANE
Sohaib • Apr 22, 2020 at 6:57 pm
Without a shadow of the a doubt evanescence, rhcp was the shit back then but so was evanescence and their 2011 album was so polished it surprised me the 2 before were phenomenal too,
And now a new album fuuuh its game over
her voice i swear… Listen to
“the last song I’m wasting on you”
“missing”
“field of innocence”
“understanding”
And those songs are not even known to most evanescence fans but they are still insanely good.
Gemma • Apr 21, 2020 at 7:43 am
Deffinetly evanescence , been my favorite band since I was a teenager , her voice ? , her music ? amazing !!
Craig • Apr 21, 2020 at 5:34 am
Amy Lee is and artist that doesn’t just sing. She writes all the music and plays key elements of every song. Hangs down one of the best bands of the musical era in my opinion. Chili Peppers didn’t stand a chance in this particular contest.
Amy Lee’s voice will awe and shatter and stage she is on and when her new album comes out this year it’s game over for anyone that was even close in the running.
You go Goddess Rock❤️❤️
Logan • Apr 20, 2020 at 3:30 pm
Gonna have to go with Evanescence here
Alex • Apr 20, 2020 at 9:17 am
Evanescences music literally saved my life. Idk how but when I was so low and I thought I might “call it quits” (I know its cheesy) but Bring Me to Life came on the radio and it literally changed my mind. One song. One time and I’m still here today. Even before then I always liked their music but since that day Evanescence has been practically everything to me and I’m not afraid or ashamed to admit to my “obsession”. I know it irritates the crap out of my siblings however ? I’m so ready for their new album, I cant wait until Wasted on You releases ?
Vale • Apr 20, 2020 at 12:52 am
Evanescence for ever ❤️
Lisa Schaefer • Apr 19, 2020 at 9:41 pm
Evanescence all the way! Don’t see how the Red Hot Chili Peppers can compete with evanescence! Two totally different bands!
Crystal • Apr 19, 2020 at 9:28 pm
She is great singer songwriter ever Amy Lee is Angel
ev fan 4 ever • Apr 19, 2020 at 7:23 pm
Evanescence for life . listen to it on repeat all day every day .
Oliver Bicer • Apr 5, 2020 at 11:59 pm
Red Hot Chili Peppers are so much better.. Arguably the worlds best bassist and guitarist in the one band, the chemistry between Flea dn John Frusciante is unmatched, PERIOD!
EVANESCENCE ALWAYS ❤ • Mar 15, 2020 at 4:56 pm
Evanescence has always been my favourite band theres not a day that goes by without listening to them, Amy Lee’s music is an inspiration too us all ❤❤❤
wes • Mar 15, 2020 at 5:16 am
Evanescence forever
Oneida Guerrero • Mar 15, 2020 at 12:03 am
Just like them better.