For Evanescence vocalist Amy Lee, the origin of Sanctuary was a spontaneous manifestation. As the story goes, she first spoke the album title onstage in Australia while opening for Metallica in late 2025. “This is our sanctuary, we find comfort and connection through the power of music,’” she told the audience. Less than a year later, Lee and her bandmates—alongside a handful of top-tier producers—have made Sanctuary a reality. Lead singles “Who Will You Follow” and “Afterlife” give fans the full anthem treatment, while ballads “How Do I Heal” and “Forever Without You” feature Lee seated at the piano in introspection. Closer “Wide Open Heart” is a cinematic slow burn, starting with a chilling synth arpeggio and building to a climax led by Lee’s haunting vocals.