EVANESCENCE Hits No. 1 on Rock Chart for the First Time With 'Afterlife'

Summary

• Afterlife, featured in the Netflix series Devil May Cry, becomes Evanescence’s first-ever Mainstream Rock Airplay No. 1.
• The band waited 22 years since their chart debut with Bring Me to Life to finally reach the top spot.
• Afterlife also ranks on multiple charts, including No. 3 on Rock & Alternative Airplay and No. 10 on Hot Hard Rock Songs.

Evanescence has reached a major milestone. The band has scored its first-ever No. 1 song on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart with “Afterlife”, their latest single featured in the Netflix series Devil May Cry (watch below).

This is a big moment for the group. It comes 22 years after their first appearance on the chart back in 2003 with “Bring Me to Life”, which peaked at No. 11.

That track, featuring Paul McCoy, helped launch the band into mainstream success, but a chart-topping hit on rock radio didn’t happen, until now.

“Afterlife” moved into the No. 1 spot on the chart dated July 5, breaking a long wait that’s now officially the longest-ever for a band to earn its first No. 1 on Mainstream Rock Airplay. Evanescence first formed in 1994 in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Before this, the closest the group came to topping the chart was with “Call Me When You’re Sober”, which climbed to No. 5 in 2006.

The song is seeing success across other charts, too. On Billboard’s Rock & Alternative Airplay chart, “Afterlife” moved up to No. 3, with 4.2 million audience impressions during the week ending June 26, according to Luminate. It also reached No. 23 on the Alternative Airplay chart and No. 10 on the Hot Hard Rock Songs chart, boosted by 892,000 official U.S. streams.

“Afterlife” appears in Devil May Cry, an anime adaptation of the popular video game series. The show premiered on Netflix on April 3 and has already been renewed for a second season.

Evanescence’s chart achievement also puts them in notable company. They now join artists like Jeff Beck, who waited 37 years between his first chart entry and his eventual No. 1, and Ozzy Osbourne, who saw a 26-year gap between two of his own top singles.

All chart updates, including Billboard’s July 5 rankings, will be live on Tuesday, July 1, at Billboard.com.

About Evanescence

Evanescence is a rock band formed in 1994 in Little Rock, Arkansas by singer and pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody. The group gained international attention in 2003 with the release of their debut album Fallen, which featured the hit singles “Bring Me to Life” and “My Immortal”. Fallen sold more than 17 million copies worldwide and earned the band two Grammy Awards.

The band’s music blends alternative rock, gothic influences, and symphonic elements, often combining piano melodies with heavy guitar riffs and dramatic vocals.

Amy Lee remains the core creative force behind the band, known for her powerful voice and classical music background.

Since forming, Evanescence has seen multiple lineup changes. Despite long gaps between albums and evolving music trends, the band has kept a steady presence in rock music.

Albums like The Open Door (2006), Evanescence (2011), and The Bitter Truth (2021) continued to show their range and ability to adapt.

The group is known for addressing personal, emotional, and often dark themes in their lyrics. Amy Lee has been open about mental health, grief, and empowerment, which has helped build a dedicated fan base around the world.

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