(Live Review) EVANESCENCE - Milwaukee, WI (9/18/25)
- Mark McQueen
- Oct 7
- 5 min read
Welcome friends, fans, and followers to Beard reviews episode #85.Tonight, the whole gang traveled to the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee for alternative rock powerhouse’s Evanescence with support from Poppy, Sleep Theory and Black Map.
Although the Forum is a sports arena, we were able to still secure good seats in the front row of the balcony section. A long way from the stage, but no one in front of us so a livable trade off. None of us had seen any of tonight’s acts live before, so this would be something of an adventure for us all.
BLACK MAP
First up was post hardcore supergroup Black Map; supergroup was largely a subjective term and for me a misnomer since Black Map featured members from other bands I had also never heard of. Their claim to fame so far seems to have been touring with Chevelle & Bush and I also wouldn’t pay to see either of those bands. Still, while initially considered a one off in 2014, Black Map now has four full length releases including 2025’s Hex so clearly “someone” is buying their stuff.
This, for me, was mostly harmless background music. Inoffensive and clear clean lyrics, but with no balls. I looked at Johnny who just said “That’s not metal Beard. It might be rock, but you know like only if the rock was small and couldn’t hurt nobody if you pegged them in the head with it.”
Interesting way to put it Johnny, so I am guessing you are not a fan then?” It gets better right Beard?Black Map: 64/100
SLEEP THEORY
Next up was Memphis American Rock band Sleep Theory. This group combined heavy metal with R&B and were in support of their first full length 2025’s Afterglow.
These guys had that nu metal yelling style that I have never really enjoyed all that much. They did in fact mix in clean lyrics and some rhythm & blues numbers, but once again for me this was another set that just passed time.
Little Johnny was moderately more interested because they yelled and jumped around a lot, but ultimately rated Sleep Theory mostly thumbs down. Since Sleep Theory did have their fans, and they brought some energy to the arena, I am going 68/100.
POPPY
Third up was the rather experimental singer songwriter Moriah Rose Pereira better known as Poppy.
While Poppy began as a pop artist between 2016-19, after a nasty falling out with her collaboration partner Titanic Sinclair, whom Poppy accused of emotional abuse, she changed musical direction on 2020’s more industrial rock sounding I Disagree. This album also got Poppy the first solo female nomination for best metal performance.
Since then it has been hit and miss, but 2024’s Negative Spaces, as well as a successful collaboration with Knocked Loose, has Poppy back on the industrial rock charts.
If Megan, (the evil computer doll of recent horror movie fame) did live concerts this would be how she looked. Poppy was a weird experience.She moved more like a possessed animatronic than a real female person.
It was fascinating though and surprisingly Poppy got a circle pit going so I had to give credit. This may have been Samara the girl from The Ring movie crossed with evil Julie Andrews, but it was interesting all the way through. Since I was oddly fascinated, I am going 84/100.
Thoughts on this one Johnny? “We had a girl who acted like that back at the orphanage. One night some people in white came and we never saw her again.”
EVANESCENCE
This will be the Beards first live viewing of headliner Evanescence. I have always been a Christina Scabbia fan, and her and Amy Lee are a Doro Pesch vs Lita Ford type thing, only Scabbia & Lee are in the goth-tinged alternative/industrial metal style. Both started in the late 1990’s, but Evanescence had American support, while Lacuna Coil was Italian.
While Lacuna Coil has been largely thought of by most fans as an Evanescence style clone, history holds Lacuna Coil were really the originals. Americans just tend to view “their” country’s bands as first whether they are or not.So far as authenticity, singer Amy Lee is the only constant while the rest of Evanescence has only been around since the band's third album. While there is little doubt (from a sales perspective) that Evanescence is a premier female driven hard rock act, tonight will allow me to determine for myself how Amy Lee stacks up against Christina Scabbia on the stage.
Out of the gates, they opened with “Afterlife” & “What you Want” which sounded good but, as I was not real familiar with them, it was “Going Under” that allowed me my first real examination.
Lee was getting technical help, but probably no more than the average artist nowadays. At just forty-three, she still has a naturally powerful voice and significant vitality to move around the stage with energy and passion. The crowd was hot for this one and there is a good snippet to check for yourself on the Beards TikTok page at thebeard0728.
As the eighteen-song set progressed, I had to quickly admit Amy Lee (whether crooning, forcefully singing, holding notes playing piano or just strutting the stage in her black gown), possessed crowd command. She sold herself like a star and the fifteen thousand in Fiserv Forum treated her like one. Mixing newer songs, (such as “Fight like a Girl” from the recent John Wick series movie Ballerina, and classic hits from Fallen, Evanescence did a comprehensive career retrospective set.
Ending with the tearjerker (for anyone who has ever lost someone they loved), “My Immortal” to the screaming plea of closer “Bring me Back to Life”, I had to admit this was a talented band and a generational singer. I am unlikely to lessen my love of Christina Scabbia, (and for me she remains first in doing this style), but I also will not take anything away from Amy Lee’s performance. That was a strong set full of good songs passionately delivered. Surprisingly, I am cracking a cold one and awarding Evanescence 93/100.
What did you think Johnny?
“She was good Beard. She’s WAY too young for you, but about right for me. I bet she would like a younger man. A roguish fella with a cool cap.”
“Okay, easy there studmuffin. Let’s get you home huh?”
“Okay, but can we stop at Insomnia Cookies on the way back? I could go for some triple chocolate chunk.”
Shaking my head, I agreed “Fine.”
And this brings to a close another Beard Review. Remember to catch our Rock & Metal reviews every Tuesday on the Mighty Decibel. Watch the videos of all our shows for yourself on our TikTok site at thebeard0728, and friend and follow Mark McQueen on social media for all the other Beard Reviews adventures.
Until next time, this is the Beard reminding you to “Live Life” “Stay Heavy” & “Horns Up.”
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