The Open Door is the second album from U.S. Goth-Rock group Evanescence, and one could say there couldn't be a more apt title.  It suggests that all is revealed, and there's nothing to hide - ie. no surprises, and that about sums it up.  The pacing is similar, the themes are familiar and the overall sound is... well, the same.  You have to ask though, why mess with a winning formula?

Amy Lee and Ben Moody became household names after 2003s Fallen made it's way up the charts and despite Moody's departure - little has changed, perhaps aside from a confidence in song writing that fame occasionally provides.  The group sound just as tight as ever, once again showing off their trademark melodic Goth Rock whilst delivering the same diversity that allowed their debut past track three.  Lee's beautiful balladry is layered upon crunching bass guitar and processed, industrial samples & drumwork - showcasing a sound that, surprisingly, hasn't really been imitated since their discovery.

Lead single 'Call Me When You're Sober' is punchy enough, but doesn't have the same initial impact as 'Bring Me To Life' - probably because the group's sound is now so recognisable.  There are, however, several tracks in the mix that branch away enough to be screaming for a download code of their own - which becomes apparent after the second full run through the album.  Set opener 'Sweet Sacrifice' cuts to the chase to give the listener a taste of what they're in for, whilst the fantastic 'Cloud Nine' explores the spookier side to the Evanescence sound, and you'd have to be a monster to resist the infectious beat of 'Lose Control'.

As with the previous album the ballads, whilst haunting and beautiful in a Sarah Brightman kind of way, can seem a bit stripped down and meatless when mixed among the heavier and darker works.  Still, how do you identify a high point if nothing dips below it?