{{Other uses|Open Door (disambiguation){{!}}Open Door}} {{good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = The Open Door | type = studio | artist = Evanescence | cover = Evanescence - The Open Door.png | alt = A woman in a dress standing in the entryway of a building, with light shining upon her. In the top right corner of the image, the words "Evanescence" and "The Open Door" are placed. | released = {{Start date|2006|9|25}}<!-- Earliest release date only, do NOT change it or add more dates --> | recorded = September 2005 – March 2006 | studio = Record Plant, Los Angeles | genre = {{hlist|Alternative metal|gothic metal|industrial rock|symphonic metal|gothic rock}}<!--Cited in Music and lyrics and Critical reception sections. DO NOT CHANGE THESE WITHOUT SOURCES OR CONSENSUS. --> | length = 54:10 | label = Wind-up | producer = Dave Fortman | prev_title = Anywhere but Home | prev_year = 2004 | next_title = Evanescence | next_year = 2011 | misc = {{Singles | name = The Open Door | type = studio | single1 = Call Me When You're Sober | single1date = September 4, 2006 | single2 = Lithium | single2date = December 4, 2006 | single3 = Sweet Sacrifice | single3date = May 25, 2007 | single4 = Good Enough | single4date = December 14, 2007 }} }}
'''''The Open Door''''' is the second studio album by American rock band Evanescence, released on September 25, 2006, by Wind-up Records. Amy Lee had full creative control of the record, incorporating new elements into their previous musical styles, including her classical influences, homemade sounds, industrial rock, symphonic metal, progressive rock, electronica and the use of choirs on several songs. The album was written in the course of 18 months, and the recording process was delayed as a result of guitarist Terry Balsamo's stroke. Most of the songs were co-composed by Lee and Balsamo, with production handled by Dave Fortman.
''The Open Door'' received generally positive reviews from music critics. The song "Sweet Sacrifice" received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance, and the album won Album of the Year at the MTV Australia Video Music Awards. ''The Open Door'' debuted at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200, selling more than 447,000 copies in its first week. It topped the charts in Australia, Europe, Germany, Greece and Switzerland, and reached the top five in over 15 countries. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA just over a month after its release, and has since been certified double platinum. As of 2011, it has sold more than six million copies worldwide.
"Call Me When You're Sober" was released digitally as the album's lead single on September 4, 2006. The song peaked at number 10 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and charted in the top 10 of multiple countries internationally. "Lithium" was released as the second single on December 4, 2006, and "Sweet Sacrifice" was released as the third international single from the album on May 25, 2007. "Good Enough" was released in Germany as the final single on December 14, 2007. ''The Open Door'' was supported by a worldwide tour that ran from October 2006 to December 2007.
==Background== Lee stated that Evanescence would begin writing material for the second album in March 2004, after finishing the tour for ''Fallen'' (2003). She said that it was "impossible to write on tour and [writing is] the one thing I love more than anything else about my job", adding that "everybody's just ready to stop touring and go back to the studio".<ref name="mtv1483876">{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1483876/evanescence-soldier-on-without-ben-moody.jhtml |title=Evanescence Soldier On Without Ben Moody, Look Forward To Recording |publisher=MTV News |author1=Wiederhorn, John |author2=reporting by Cornell, Jeff |date=October 23, 2003 |access-date=October 24, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712101206/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1483876/evanescence-soldier-on-without-ben-moody.jhtml |archive-date=July 12, 2012}}</ref> The album progressed slowly because of Lee's desire to maximize the creative process and not rush production, as well as Terry Balsamo's stroke.<ref name="Richard 2006"/> In reference to the album's title, Lee said: "I feel like I have the ability to do a lot of things I couldn't do before, for a number of reasons ... A lot of doors have kind of been opened in my life—not just since everything has happened for us."<ref name="bigbadwolf">{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1537409/amy-lee-isnt-afraid-big-bad-wolf.jhtml |title=Evanescence's Amy Lee Isn't Afraid Of Big Bad Wolf in 'Sober Clip |publisher=MTV News |first=Chris |last=Harris |date=July 31, 2006 |access-date=June 23, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110417154910/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1537409/amy-lee-isnt-afraid-big-bad-wolf.jhtml |archive-date=April 17, 2011}}</ref> The album cover, which was designed by Lee,<ref name="muchmusic">{{cite web |last=Heisler |first=Wendy |url=http://www.muchmusic.com/insidemuch/couplaquestions/evanescence/ |title=Coupla Questions: Evanescence |website=MuchMusic |date=September 26, 2006 |access-date=July 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061103062100/http://www.muchmusic.com/insidemuch/couplaquestions/evanescence/ |archive-date=November 3, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Forbes 16">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2016/10/12/evanescence-thank-fans-with-new-box-set/?sh=1bccdc6b5873|title=Evanescence Thank Fans With New Box Set|work=Forbes|date=October 12, 2016|access-date=September 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922131057/https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2016/10/12/evanescence-thank-fans-with-new-box-set/|archive-date=September 22, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> was posted on Evanescence's official website on August 4, 2006.<ref name="artwork">{{cite news |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/evanescence-the-open-door-artwork-posted-online |title=Evanescence: 'The Open Door' Artwork Posted Online |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=August 4, 2006 |access-date=July 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730023821/https://blabbermouth.net/news/evanescence-the-open-door-artwork-posted-online |archive-date=July 30, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Writing and recording== {{quote box|width=25%|quote="I feel like with ''Fallen'', a lot of those songs sound like I was trying to prove myself and establish what we were and our sound. I was trapped having to feel a certain way. But with the new record, I sort of went with everything. I am not afraid to feel happy sometimes, and I think there's moments on the album with sensuality, which is really fun and beautiful, instead of the last time, where I felt like I was only getting out part of me. This record embraces the whole me."|source= — Amy Lee talking about ''The Open Door'' with MTV News.<ref name="mtv1529541" />}}
''The Open Door'' was written in 18 months.<ref name="Richard 2006"/><ref name="nau">{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/amy-lees-opening-doors/news-story/21b0b3d345c1a62b5aac06702ccf47c7|title=Amy Lee's opening doors|website=news.com.au|publisher=News Limited |first=Kathy |last=McCabe |date=September 28, 2006 |access-date=June 26, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417081741/https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/amy-lees-opening-doors/news-story/21b0b3d345c1a62b5aac06702ccf47c7|archive-date=April 17, 2023}}</ref> Lee composed nine songs with guitarist Terry Balsamo,<ref name="Richard 2006">{{cite news|last=Harrington |first=Richard |date=October 6, 2006 |title=Another 'Door' Opens for Amy Lee |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2006/10/06/another-door-opens-for-amy-lee/45970169-5d79-4fdc-8325-04b8582f661a/|newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005230303/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2006/10/06/another-door-opens-for-amy-lee/45970169-5d79-4fdc-8325-04b8582f661a/|archive-date=October 5, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Cre">{{cite AV media notes |others=Evanescence|title=The Open Door |date=2006 |type=liner notes |publisher=Wind-up Records}}</ref> "All That I'm Living For" with guitarist John LeCompt, and was the sole composer of "Like You", "Lithium" and "Good Enough".<ref name="Cre" />
Lee confessed that after former guitarist Ben Moody's departure, she was not restrained in the writing process and Balsamo was open minded; the two collaborated and he encouraged her to do something she would not have done with Moody.{{refn|<ref name="mtv1529541" /><ref name="mtv1493917">{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1493917/evanescence-working-on-new-album.jhtml |title=Evanescence's New Sound Is Reminiscent Of ... Evanescence |publisher=MTV News |author1=D'Angelo, Joe |author2=reporting by Moss, Corey |date=November 18, 2004 |access-date=August 3, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107084945/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1493917/evanescence-working-on-new-album.jhtml |archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref><ref name="walk">{{Cite news|title=Amy Lee Wants You to Walk Into Her World |work=The Arizona Republic |publisher=Gannett Company |first=Nicki |last=Escudero |date=October 2, 2006}}</ref><ref name="Aly"/><ref name="west">{{cite web|url=https://www.westword.com/music/qanda-with-evanescences-amy-lee-5704348|title=Q&A With Evanescence's Amy Lee |work=Westword |first=Michael |last=Roberts |date=November 21, 2007 |access-date=February 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008050956/https://www.westword.com/music/qanda-with-evanescences-amy-lee-5704348|archive-date=October 8, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="open"/> }} Lee was "finally creating in the same room with someone" when working with Balsamo, as previously she and Moody wrote separately as they "could never really sit in the same room and create" and had major creative differences.{{refn|<ref name="smh blues">{{Cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/01/08/1073437399128.html |title=Moody Blues |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |first=Tiffany |last=Bakker |date=January 9, 2004 |access-date=August 20, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019015430/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/moody-blues-20040109-gdi4fm.html|archive-date=October 19, 2022}}</ref><ref name="mtv1529541"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Feb-12-Thu-2004/living/23089752.html |title=Evanescence comfortable defying genres |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |first=Doug |last=Elfman |date=February 12, 2004 |access-date=August 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010024954/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Feb-12-Thu-2004/living/23089752.html|archive-date=October 10, 2012}}</ref><ref name="jamclasic"/><ref name="billinterview"/><ref name="mtv1493917"/>}} After his exit, she felt she reclaimed a creative freedom, and found it "liberating not to have someone standing over me constantly shooting my ideas down".<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Blender|title=In the Studio: For Album Two, Symphonic Goths Evanescence Battle Lawsuits, Emergency Rooms and ... Mozart?|date=May 2006|first=Josh|last=Eells|issn=1534-0554}}</ref> "I was really looking forward to being able to trust", she said.<ref name="Powers"/> Deeming writing a vulnerable process, Lee only wrote music by herself in the past, and this album was the first time she wrote music with another person.<ref name="walk"/> She had free rein and could try anything "without being judged",<ref name="jamclasic">{{cite news |url=http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Artists/E/Evanescence/2006/10/03/1941837.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309213109/http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Artists/E/Evanescence/2006/10/03/1941837.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 9, 2016 |title=New doors open for Amy Lee |website=Jam!|first=Sherri |last=Wood |date=October 3, 2006 |access-date=October 25, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="Aly"/> and the studio was a "free place where we could just be musicians and see what came out".<ref name="Powers"/> Lee called her and Balsamo's musical partnership healthy and productive,<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Sunday Telegraph|date=September 2006|first=James|last=Wigney|title=Goth Queen Has Beaten the Gloom|location=Australia}}</ref> stating that there was "no pressure of wanting to rule the world" and they were "having fun with it for a change".<ref name="mtv1529541" /><ref name="mtv1493917" /><ref name="billinterview" />
Lee went through a spectrum of emotions throughout her experiences before and during the creation of ''The Open Door''.<ref name="mtv1529541" /> She said that the making of the album was "really intense" and she came out "feeling purified".<ref name="bill1005399242">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/58625/evanescence-opens-up-on-new-album |title=Evanescence 'Opens' Up On New Album |magazine=Billboard |access-date=November 4, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223080109/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/58625/evanescence-opens-up-on-new-album |archive-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref> She and Balsamo began working together at her rented home in California. After experiencing cabin fever, they rented a place in Florida, where they finished the album.<ref name="brutal"/> Lee wrote her musical parts and Balsamo made "beautiful guitar weavings around what I was doing".<ref name="brutal">{{cite magazine|magazine=Revolver|title=Profiles - The Brutal Truth - Evanescence|date=November 2006|page=48|first=Mikael|last=Wood}}</ref> The two would also "sit in a room and jam".<ref name="billinterview" /> They approached the songs in various way; aside from programming and keyboard melodies, some songs would begin with a bassline, guitar line, or vocal melody.<ref name="TB"/> Lee engineered demos for the songs and she and Balsamo worked with Pro Tools to be in control of what went on the album.{{refn|<ref name="Nason">{{cite web|title=Feature: Amy Lee's Evanescence|url=https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2004/11/16/Feature-Amy-Lees-Evanescence/56381100644270/|work=UPI|first=Pat|last=Nason|date=November 16, 2004|access-date=March 2, 2023}}</ref><ref name="walk"/><ref name="vh1songs"/><ref name="MC 21"/>}} As she had full control of the process this time around, she could do a lot more things than before "as a singer, as a music writer, even as an engineer".<ref name="open">{{cite news|work=Jam!|title=Lee opens up about new Evanescence disc|first=Mark|last=Daniell|date=June 19, 2006}}</ref> Lee said the songs she was working on for the album "still sound like the Evanescence everybody knows, but at the same time it's going in a new direction, and I love that direction."<ref name="mtv1493917" />
''The Open Door'' was recorded from September 2005 to March 2006 at Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles, California.<ref name="Bio">{{cite web |url=http://www.evanescence.com/bio.asp |title=Evanescence - The Official Site |website=Evanescence.com |access-date=July 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061024062008/http://www.evanescence.com/bio.asp |archive-date=October 24, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Cre" /> In October 2005, as the album was being recorded and he was in the studio, Balsamo suffered a stroke from a torn neck artery, and the left side of his body was paralyzed.<ref name="Richard 2006"/><ref name="Powers"/> Lee recalled the "horrifying" experience as it took over 12 hours for him to be able to receive an MRI, "meanwhile, the first 12 hours after a stroke, long-term effects are happening".<ref name="Powers"/> She called his recovery a "huge miracle" after doctors did not think he would ever be able to play guitar again. Balsamo began physical therapy and the process of re-training his hand to play, stating that he was determined to overcome the paralysis.{{refn|<ref name="billinterview"/><ref name="armstrong"/><ref name="Powers"/><ref name="fillingbenshoes"/>}} Lee considered his stroke to have been "the most difficult part" of the album process. Everything that occurred during the making of the record became inspiration and fuel for it, and made it "a really special" record.<ref name="mtv1529541">{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1529541/evanescence-return-with-open-door.jhtml |title=Amy Lee Says New Evanescence LP Has More Sensuality |publisher=MTV News |first=Chris |last=Harris |date=April 26, 2006 |access-date=August 3, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712101505/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1529541/evanescence-return-with-open-door.jhtml |archive-date=July 12, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Irish">{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/if-i-should-fall-from-grace-1.1006186|title=If I should fall from grace|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=September 22, 2006|accessdate=October 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018045738/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/if-i-should-fall-from-grace-1.1006186|archive-date=October 18, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
The record was produced and mixed by Dave Fortman at Ocean Way Studios. Jeremy Parker handled the audio engineering, Mike Houge and Wesley Seidman served as additional engineers, and Ted Jensen mastered the record at Sterling Sound, New York.<ref name="Cre" /> The choral arrangements were made by Lee and recorded at Capitol Studios in California, with the choir and strings recorded in an old chapel near Seattle, Washington.<ref name="Cre" /><ref name="nme23736">{{cite news |url=https://www.nme.com/news/evanescence/23736 |title=Evanescence grow up |work=NME |date=July 27, 2006 |access-date=November 4, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008212136/http://www.nme.com/news/evanescence/23736 |archive-date=October 8, 2012}}</ref> DJ Lethal programmed on every song on the album with Lee doing additional programming. John LeCompt is credited with additional programming on "Call Me When You're Sober" and "All That I'm Living For", which was programmed by Bon Harris. David Campbell completed the orchestral arrangements, which were performed by Seattlemusic.<ref name="Cre" /> {{clear left}}
==Music and lyrics== In an interview with ''Rolling Stone'', Lee called the album "a complete spectrum of darkness and scary stuff and emotion".<ref name="rollarchive">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/evanescence/articles/story/10129488/the_new_evanescence_open_the_door |title=The New Evanescence Open the Door |magazine=Rolling Stone |first=Steve |last=Baltin |date=April 26, 2006 |access-date=November 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207002518/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/evanescence/articles/story/10129488/the_new_evanescence_open_the_door |archive-date=December 7, 2008}}</ref> She told ''The Washington Post'':
<blockquote>"So much has changed in my life - I was going through so many things in the making of the record, and before the making of the record. ... I just wanted to create and do something different and branch out. At the heart of it I know it's still Evanescence and it's still me, but structurally it's a lot more fun. ... I think it's more mature and more brave all around; it's like the instruments actually go together, the piano and guitar and vocals, since they're written together - they intertwine. It's definitely even more personal. At least for me, because I was there, it sounds more fun because I was having so much more fun."<ref name="Richard 2006" /></blockquote>
{{quote box | width = 25% | quote = "I just didn't hold back this time, and writing that way has made me feel really purified, like I've actually gotten a chance to break through instead of just wallowing in all of my problems." | source = – Amy Lee on her more candid lyrical approach for ''The Open Door''.<ref name="Richard 2006"/> }}
Lee said that she pushed herself and implemented things she didn't have the courage to do in ''Fallen''.<ref name="bigbadwolf"/><ref name="smh"/> She also said her goal was to make a record that she loved even more than ''Fallen'', rather than to copy the formula which made the previous record successful.<ref name="bill100305">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57408/evanescence-feeling-no-pressure-on-new-album |title=Evanescence Feeling No Pressure On New Album |magazine=Billboard|date=August 28, 2006|access-date=November 4, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917144608/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57408/evanescence-feeling-no-pressure-on-new-album |archive-date=September 17, 2014}}</ref><ref name="billinterview"/><ref name="Irish"/> Lee incorporated her classical influences and new elements in the music, including home-made sounds.<ref name="jamclasic" /><ref name="armstrong">{{cite news |url=http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Artists/E/Evanescence/2007/01/08/3235201.html |title=Amy Lee bares her artistic soul |first=Denis |last=Armstrong |website=Jam! |date=January 8, 2007 |access-date=October 25, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=April 2026|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="MC 21">{{cite web|url=https://www.musicconnection.com/songwriter-profile-amy-lee/|title=Songwriter Profile: Amy Lee|work=Music Connection|date=October 26, 2021|access-date=June 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117035524/https://www.musicconnection.com/songwriter-profile-amy-lee/|archive-date=November 17, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="reflect">{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/amy-lee-reflects-on-20-years-of-evanescence|title=Amy Lee: "It took a long time to get respect for being a creator and not just the 'pretty face'"|work=Metal Hammer|date=January 4, 2023|access-date=June 10, 2023}}</ref> When asked whether ''The Open Door'' was thematically different from ''Fallen'', Lee said that Evanescence and music in general is her venue to "purge all of the negative and hard, difficult experiences" throughout her life, and while that is front and center in this album, it comes from a less hopeless attitude and with a more reflective outlook. Rather than "wallowing" in "the hard stuff", the record is characterized by her newfound resolution and is thematically in search of answers and happiness.<ref name="billinterview">{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BQ4EAAAAMBAJ&q=evanescence+the+open+door&pg=PA34 |title=Into The Great Wide 'Open' |magazine=Billboard |first=Tamara |last=Conniff |date=September 16, 2006 |volume=118 |number=37 |pages=33–34 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=April 6, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Richard 2006" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/evanescences-amy-lee-i-had-to-step-away-from-being-a-rockstar|title=Evanescence's Amy Lee: "I had to step away from being a rock star"|work=Metal Hammer|date=May 28, 2020|accessdate=May 19, 2023|quote="It was more about strength. ''Fallen'' was more about my pain and this was more about the fight. It was a beautiful opportunity."}}</ref>
"I had so much I needed to get off my chest," Lee explained. "It's very literal and specific."<ref name="smh"/> She said she was "sick of hiding behind metaphors" in everything she had written before.<ref name="mtv11538267"/> The lyrics on the album are a lot more confessional than she had written previously, and she chose to not censor herself as she felt she "really needed to get out of the whole space of negativity".<ref name="Richard 2006"/> "I could just have shut up and stayed stuck in a lot of negative situations and not done anything, and on the outside it would have looked like everything was fine for me", she stated. "I had to actually purge something out of myself and write a whole lot of music. This album is very special to me because I do open myself up a lot more."<ref name="Richard 2006"/> Part of her inspiration for the album was her experience as a lone female and "hard adjustment" with the fame the ''Fallen'' era brought, as well as her perceiving a "cartoon version of yourself, the album cover version, the interview version. How can you feel like everyone knows me, but nobody knows me"?<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Metal Hammer|title=Freaks Unleashed|first=Stephen|last=Hill|date=November 2022|pages=38–43|issue=368}}</ref>
Richard Harrington of ''The Washington Post'' stated that the album consists of gothic rock songs with brooding lyrics, Lee's "searing fallen angel" vocals, and "epic melodies", accompanied by pianos, strings and choirs, while "there's no shortage of soaring, dynamic rockers."<ref name="Richard 2006"/> Aly Comingore of the ''Santa Barbara Independent'' said it is "rich in instrumentation", swelling with "organs, elaborate string arrangements, and lush choral vocals", and driven by Lee's "intense lyrics and classically trained piano skills."<ref name="Aly"/> ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' wrote that Lee's "emotional convalescence" gave way to "symphonic metal tunes and dark-hearted lyrics" that "are gloomier than ever".<ref name="smh">{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/amy-lee-gets-it-off-her-chest-20061016-gdolrd.html|title=Amy Lee gets it off her chest |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=October 16, 2006 |access-date=October 24, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012141947/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/amy-lee-gets-it-off-her-chest-20061016-gdolrd.html|archive-date=October 12, 2022}}</ref> Ann Powers of the ''Los Angeles Times'' described the record as a "whorl of personal confession, high theater and head-banging rock" with "youthfully earnest and sometimes obvious" lyrics.<ref name="Powers">{{cite web |last=Powers |first=Ann |author-link=Ann Powers |date=October 1, 2006 |title=Rock's a hard place – ask Evanescence |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-oct-01-ca-evanescence1-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=October 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930041903/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-oct-01-ca-evanescence1-story.html|archive-date=September 30, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Jon Dolan of ''Entertainment Weekly'' felt the music possessed the "same crush of chunka-chunka riffs, moody electronic churn, and Valhalla-bound metal slam" of ''Fallen'', alongside Lee's "strikingly operatic singing".<ref name="EW">{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2006/10/09/open-door/ |title=The Open Door (2006) |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Dolan |last=Jon |date=October 9, 2006 |access-date=June 1, 2011 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606163113/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C1543081%2C00.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> Postmedia News said the album "loses the punchy power rifts" of ''Fallen'' "and instead persuades the listener with piano and airy vocals".<ref name="posnews">{{cite news |url=http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/arts_life/story.html?id=0564d70c-be75-4fcf-aa10-77109fe79bd2 |title='Open Door' to likeable return of Evanescence |work=Regina Leader-Post |author=The Leader-Post |date=November 11, 2006 |access-date=November 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304212157/http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/arts_life/story.html?id=0564d70c-be75-4fcf-aa10-77109fe79bd2 |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> ''The Boston Globe''{{'}}s Sarah Rodman summarized it as a "mix of Lee's ethereal soprano, piano interludes, and layers of serrated guitar crunch".<ref name="bosglobe">{{cite news |url=http://articles.boston.com/2006-10-03/ae/29244648_1_shaun-morgan-ben-moody-terry-balsamo |title=For Evanescence, black is the new black |work=The Boston Globe |first=Sarah |last=Rodman |date=October 3, 2006 |access-date=November 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203180251/http://articles.boston.com/2006-10-03/ae/29244648_1_shaun-morgan-ben-moody-terry-balsamo |archive-date=December 3, 2011}}</ref> Lee channels her frustrations "utilizing a few curious faith-based metaphors in the process", according to ''Christianity Today''{{'}}s Andree Farias, and "industrial backbeats" defer to "thick metal riffs, orchestrated grandeur, and ghoulish choral elements, all complemented by Lee's operatic soprano".<ref name="Farias">{{cite web |ref=Farias |last=Farias |first=Andre |date=January 1, 2006 |title=The Open Door |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/music/glimpsesofgod/2006/theopendoor.html |work=Christianity Today |access-date=November 8, 2011}}</ref>
Jordan Reimer of ''The Daily Princetonian'' said "haunting orchestral arrangements and programming" infuse the album, which is thematically defined by "tumultuous relationships and loneliness", while Lee's attitude sounds "more aggressive and less vulnerable than before" and her vocal melodies range from "sublimely minimalist to roaringly operatic."<ref name="DailyPrincetonian">{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2006/11/09/16482/ |title=Bare-boned Evanescence album lacks heart |first=Jordan |last=Reimer |work=The Daily Princetonian |date=November 9, 2006 |access-date=October 21, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606143259/http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2006/11/09/16482/ |archive-date=June 6, 2012}}</ref> ''The Irish Times'' characterized it as a "heavy sounding" record, "still unmistakably Goth but with strings and choirs attached."<ref name="Irish"/> Ed Thompson of ''IGN'' described the songs as "less radio-friendly" than those on ''Fallen'' and "all the more complete for their lack of bending to fit the hit song."<ref name="IGN"/> ''Billboard'' said the album is full of "blistering attacks on those who have betrayed" Lee, comprising a "successful set of melodramatic goth/industrial anthems with touches of prog and even classical".<ref name="billboardreview">{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_A4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA37|first=Gary|last=Graff|date=October 7, 2006 |title=Album Reviews – Evanescence – The Open Door |issn=0006-2510 |magazine=Billboard|page=37|access-date=March 19, 2012}}</ref> ''Kerrang!'' described the mood of ''The Open Door'' as "elegant heaviness". The guitars are "far heavier than before" with some riffs of "melodic darkness". The album also contains "more prominent classical influence at work" with strings and choirs accentuated, alongside Evanescence's "trademark goth-edged metal", "trademark dark pop-driven hooks", and new Bjork-inspired electronica that "creates a subtle mood".<ref name="Kerrang!"/> ''The Wall Street Journal'' writer Jim Fusilli felt the album showcased the band's "dual personalities" by blending alternative metal and symphonic rock.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fusilli |first=Jim |date=November 7, 2017 |title=Alt-Metal Goes Orchestral |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/on-its-new-album-evanescence-covers-many-of-its-own-songs-with-a-distinctly-symphonic-twist-1510088507 |access-date=March 16, 2026 |work=The Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660}}</ref>
=== Songs === Album opener "Sweet Sacrifice" contains "rumbling guitars", a string section, and a "layer of programming" alongside Lee's "trademark haunting vocals and dark lyrics", according to IGN.<ref name="IGN"/> The main theme of the song is recovery from an abusive relationship that was the source of Lee's writing on ''Fallen'', coming from a "much stronger standpoint" on this album.<ref name="vh1songs">{{cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1540914/story.jhtml |title=Evanescence: Amy Lee Explains the New Songs |first=C. |last=Bottomley |publisher=VH1 |date=October 8, 2006 |access-date=March 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423193504/http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1540914/story.jhtml |archive-date=April 23, 2012}}</ref><ref name="metaledge">{{cite magazine |title=The Essence of Evanescence |magazine=Metal Edge |volume=52 |issue=11 |pages=5–10 |first=Bryan |last=Reesman |date=November 2006 |issn=1068-2872}}</ref> Lee said the song is also "almost sarcastic" to herself as she "needs to stop being that sweet sacrifice".<ref name="spinreview"/> ''Entertainment Weekly'' described it as a "bruising breakup lament that turns into an anthem of freedom".<ref name="EW" />
"Call Me When You're Sober" is a rock song that starts as a piano ballad and mixes elements of several genres including symphonic rock, soul, electropop, hard rock, R&B, and nu metal.<ref name="Law"/><ref name="metaledge"/><ref name="sanneh">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/02/arts/music/02choi.html?ref=music&pagewanted=all|title=New CD's|work=The New York Times |first=Kelefa |last=Sanneh |date=October 2, 2006|access-date=October 21, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625034907/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/02/arts/music/02choi.html?ref=music&pagewanted=all |archive-date=June 25, 2011}}</ref><ref name="thenewyorktimes2">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/03/arts/music/03sann.html |title=Evanescence and the Kllers Get Ready for Their Encores |work=The New York Times |first=Kelefa |last=Sanneh |date=August 3, 2006 |access-date=October 21, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211190910/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/03/arts/music/03sann.html |archive-date=December 11, 2008}}</ref> Lee said the song is about "dealing with someone with an addiction, which is really hard, especially when you love someone", later confirming it was inspired by the end of her relationship with singer Shaun Morgan of rock band Seether.<ref name="vh1songs" /> She also said that it is about "more than the most obvious thing", deeming it "empowering" for herself as it represents "leaving a whole world behind that was really hurting me",<ref name="Richard 2006"/> and "getting to the place with yourself where you're finally willing to stand up for yourself. Put your foot down when you know you need to."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/amy-lee-of-evanescence|title=Amy Lee of Evanescence|publisher=Songfacts|date=October 13, 2016|first=Dan|last=MacIntosh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420040249/https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/amy-lee-of-evanescence|archive-date=April 20, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Dubbed a "chick anthem" by Lee based on the reception she received from female fans,<ref name="spin2011">{{cite news |url=https://www.spin.com/2011/10/tough-questions-evanescences-amy-lee/ |title=Tough Questions for Evanescence's Amy Lee |work=Spin |first=Camille |last=Dodero |date=September 11, 2011 |access-date=September 21, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925042200/https://www.spin.com/2011/10/tough-questions-evanescences-amy-lee/ |archive-date=September 25, 2011}}</ref> the song is "a literal snapshot of one's frustration of dealing with the addiction of someone they love", ''The Washington Post'' wrote.<ref name="Richard 2006"/><ref name="EW" />
"Weight of the World" is a "relentless rocker with Eastern motifs and distorted vocals".<ref name="vh1songs" /><ref name="Richard 2006"/> Lee's inspiration for the song was the pressures of fame,<ref name="rollingstonereview" /><ref name="spinreview"/> including the pressure she felt from fans "who feel I can solve their problems". She said she wants "to be there for people and tell them what I think" but she is "not a therapist" and doesn't "have all the answers", noting that she understands that sometimes "the only thing that seems to really help is that someone else who has felt that low expressing those feelings to you".<ref name="spinreview"/><ref name="walk"/> In the song, Lee used a music box and toy piano that she had kept since childhood.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Kerrang! España|title=The Open Door|first=Pamela|last=Chelin|date=September 2006|issue=155|page=24|language=Spanish}}</ref>
thumb|left|Evanescence performing at a concert of the first leg of ''The Open Door'' world tour
In "Lithium", Lee sings about "the choice between the comfort of sorrow and the possibility of happiness". It represents her habit of letting sorrow "be an excuse to make music", a "cycle" she admits she does not want to be stuck in.<ref name="smh"/> Lee originally wrote its chorus on guitar when she was 16 years old, but later changed it to piano when she wrote the verses.<ref name="vh1songs" /> ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' described the song as "sweeping, churning", with its "refrain of 'I want to stay in love with my sorrow / Oh God but I want to let it go'" getting "to the heart of Lee's life story so far."<ref name="smh"/> ''Entertainment Weekly'' described it as a "tortured Queensrÿche-style pain strummer".<ref name="EW" /> Sam Law of ''Kerrang!'' said "Lithium" showcases Lee's "classical powerhouse, built around a tinkling piano" and her "wide-ranging vocals", with "crashes of metallic instrumentation".<ref name="Law">{{cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-20-greatest-evanescence-songs-ranked|title=The 20 greatest Evanescence songs – ranked|work=Kerrang!|date=August 21, 2020|accessdate=October 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221032717/https://www.kerrang.com/the-20-greatest-evanescence-songs-ranked|archive-date=February 21, 2022}}</ref> "The Last Song I'm Wasting on You", the B-side track on the "Lithium" single, was written by Lee during the ''Fallen'' tour. She recorded it at the time in a bathroom on an analog device.<ref name="EW 16"/><ref name="metaledge"/> When asked if the song was about Moody, Lee said, "If I answer that, then I'm not hiding anything anymore. But I just sort of answered it, didn't I?"<ref name="spinreview"/> She later deemed it "one of those personal, hard moments, when beauty is born out of pain".<ref name="EW 16">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/12/05/evanescence-amy-lee-stories-behind-songs/|title=Evanescence's Amy Lee reveals stories behind the songs|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=December 5, 2016|access-date=March 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117085732/https://ew.com/article/2016/12/05/evanescence-amy-lee-stories-behind-songs/|archive-date=November 17, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
"Cloud Nine" was inspired by a break-up. Lee said she was "struggling with a relationship and felt like a waste of space."<ref name="vh1songs" /> The song uses strings, studio effects, dirty bass, electronic drums, and Lee's "layered moaning".<ref name="vh1songs" /><ref name="Kerrang!"/> ''The Boston Globe'' said it features "woozy, horror-movie keys".<ref name="bosglobe"/> The first song Lee wrote for ''The Open Door'',<ref name="burning">{{cite magazine|title=Burning Angel|magazine=Kerrang!|date=August 19, 2006|issn=0262-6624|issue=1121}}</ref> "Snow White Queen" was inspired by Lee's experiences with stalkers.<ref name="smh" /><ref name="vh1songs" /> Lee said that her privacy had been "completely invaded" to the point she could not stay in her house. She wrote the song from the perspective of a stalker and herself.<ref name="vh1songs" /> Lee sent Balsamo loops, drum beats, melodies and keyboard parts to which Balsamo wrote guitar.<ref name="TB">{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/evanescence-guitarist-says-headbanging-on-stage-caused-his-stroke|title=Evanescence Guitarist Says Headbanging On Stage Caused His Stroke|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=November 5, 2006|accessdate=February 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703221304/https://blabbermouth.net/news/evanescence-guitarist-says-headbanging-on-stage-caused-his-stroke|archive-date=July 3, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''Los Angeles Times'' described it as a "harrowing account of a stalker and his victim",<ref name="Powers"/> ''Entertainment Weekly'' called it a "crazy" song that "gets inside the mind of a male predator",<ref name="EW" /> and ''Rolling Stone'' deemed it "seriously disturbed."<ref name="rollingstonereview">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/the-open-door-193721/ |title=The Open Door|magazine=Rolling Stone |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |date=October 5, 2006 |access-date=May 19, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428081333/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/the-open-door-193721/ |archive-date=April 28, 2023}}</ref> Musically, it is a rock song with industrial beats in its composition.<ref name="vh1songs"/><ref name="Richard 2006"/>
Incorporating the ''Lacrimosa'' sequence of Mozart's Requiem (1791), Lee's favorite piece of music,<ref name="Richard 2006"/><ref name="vh1songs" /> "Lacrymosa" contains electronic backing beats, symphonic string section, heavy guitar and a haunting choir.<ref name="IGN" /> ''Kerrang!'' said the classical parts and heavy guitars in the song "entwine perfectly to create a stunning Wagnerian wall of choir-led dark majesty".<ref name="Kerrang!"/> The vocals make a contrasting representation of light and dark, according to IGN.<ref name="IGN" /> Lee gave Lacrimosa a "dramatic prog-rock makeover", ''The Washington Post'' wrote.<ref name="Richard 2006"/> ''The New York Times'' described it as "grandiose ... an audacious, exhilarating blast".<ref name="sanneh"/> The song features a 22-piece orchestra arranged by David Campbell and background vocals performed by The Millennium Choir.<ref name="Cre" />
The "spare and sombre" "Like You" is about the death of Lee's younger sister, following "Hello" on ''Fallen''.<ref name="Richard 2006"/><ref name="vh1songs" /> Regarding this theme, Lee said, "I can't help but be affected by that, and if it's my place to express myself and all the things that have been most deep and the most painful and have just touched me, I feel like it does honor her".<ref name="Richard 2006"/><ref name="return">{{cite magazine|magazine=Access|title=Return of the Snow White Queen|date=October–November 2006|issue=84|first=Pamela|last=Chelin|page=14}}</ref> Composed solely by Lee,<ref name="Cre" /> and one of the most intimate songs on the album,<ref name="vh1songs" /> "Like You", contains lyrics which yearn for death so Lee can be with her sister.<ref name="sanneh" /> ''Rolling Stone'' described it as a "teen-death trip" and among the "creepiest" songs on the album,<ref name="rollingstonereview" /> while ''The Boston Globe'' called it "plaintive" and spooky.<ref name="bosglobe"/>
"Lose Control" uses "half-step two chords", Lee said, musically influenced by Portishead.<ref name="vh1songs" /> Lee wrote the song about wanting to be less apprehensive and let loose, and a desire to let things go sometimes and not always bear the responsibility.<ref name="rocksound">{{cite magazine |last=Mora |first=Angelo |title=Tre Metri Sopra il Cielo |magazine=Rock Sound |date=September 2006 |volume=100 |issue=60 |page=37 |trans-title=Three Meters Above the Sky |language=it |issn=1127-1337}}</ref> According to ''Kerrang!'', the track features "distorted, sleazy vocals", "thick groovy riffs" and "orchestral flourishes".<ref name="Kerrang!"/> "Almost sacrilegious", ''Entertainment Weekly'' wrote, it "finds childlike release in sin".<ref name="EW" /> "The Only One" lyrically depicts Lee's past experiences with close-mindedness and people around her who "seemed lost in a world" in which she felt she did not belong.<ref name="vh1songs" /> In the song, Lee "decries human guidance" with the chorus lines, "All our lives / We've been waiting / For someone to call our leader / All your lies / I'm not believing / Heaven shine a light down on me", according to ''Christianity Today''.<ref name="Farias" /> Nick Catucci of ''New York magazine'' described the song as an "almost sultry, industrial-inflected entreaty to an absent God, animating the mighty struggle with faith that the religious and lapsed all share."<ref name="NYmag"/>
"Your Star" was motivated by Lee's loneliness during the band's tour in support of ''Fallen''. She was inspired to write the song in Lisbon, where she was jet-lagged and depressed, and could not see stars when she looked at the night sky. Other musical inspiration came from the works of Pantera.<ref name="vh1songs" /> "All That I'm Living For" describes Lee's night-time writing process, showcased in the opening line, "I can feel the night beginning / Separate me from the living".<ref name="vh1songs" /> The song contains a "salvo of guitars" that contrast with Lee's "delicate delivery", alongside electronica elements.<ref name="vh1songs"/><ref name="mtv1542773">{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1542773/evanescence-live-amy-lee-rocks-new-hometown.jhtml |title=Evanescence Live In NYC: Amy Lee Headbangs, Serenades Her 'New Hometown' |publisher=MTV News |date=October 10, 2006 |first=Chris |last=Harris |access-date=November 7, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107103906/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1542773/evanescence-live-amy-lee-rocks-new-hometown.jhtml |archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> Background vocals on the song were performed by The Millennium Choir.<ref name="Cre" />
Lee placed "Good Enough" at the end of the album to symbolize its theme and a new beginning for herself.<ref name="smh" /><ref name="Richard 2006"/> Featuring a string section,<ref name="mtv1542188">{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1542188/new-releases-killers-beck-evanescence-amp-more.jhtml |title=New Releases: Killers, Beck, Evanescence, Jet, Sleepy Brown & More |publisher=MTV News |first=Kurt |last=Orzeck |date=October 3, 2006 |access-date=November 6, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229161215/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1542188/new-releases-killers-beck-evanescence-amp-more.jhtml |archive-date=December 29, 2011}}</ref> the song is entirely a piano composition, with "gentle vocals", ending the album on a hopeful note.<ref name="vh1songs" /> Lee called it a "completely different" kind of song from her as it "sort of has a happy ending".<ref name="bigbadwolf"/> It represents her mindset after completing the album: "I had gone through a lot of difficult things during the writing of the whole album, and by the end of it, I had stepped away from those bad situations ... For the first time I felt like I could write a song based on how good I felt."<ref name="vh1songs" /><ref name="bigbadwolf"/> "Good Enough" is the last song Lee wrote for ''The Open Door''.<ref name="bigbadwolf"/> ''Entertainment Weekly'' described it as a "deceptively soft" song that "flirts again with the dark side" and "strikes a final note of cathartic badness."<ref name="EW" /> A "haunting ballad", ''The Washington Post'' wrote, "Good Enough" is a "different creature" among the other songs on the record.<ref name="Richard 2006"/> ''The Boston Globe'' called it a "moment of romantic peace" on the album, featuring an "incongruously downtrodden groove" alongside Lee's "most luxurious vocal to date".<ref name="bosglobe"/> Although Lee's voice gives the song "a funereal cast", IGN said, it is lyrically optimistic and "the most unique song Lee has ever released".<ref name="IGN"/>
==Release and promotion== ''The Open Door'' was first released in Poland on September 25, 2006,<ref name="polrelease">{{cite web |url=http://www.empik.com/open-door-evanescence,2434797,muzyka-p |title=Open Door – Evanescence |language=pl |publisher=Empik |access-date=October 24, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219004151/http://www.empik.com/open-door-evanescence%2C2434797%2Cmuzyka-p |archive-date=December 19, 2010}}</ref> then Japan on September 27,<ref name="jprelease">{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000FTWB7G |title=Evanescence – The Open Door |language=ja |publisher=Amazon (Japan) |access-date=October 25, 2011}}</ref> Ireland and Germany on September 29,<ref name="gerrelease">{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.de/dp/B000GQLBCE |title=Evanescence – The Open Door |publisher=Amazon.com (Germany) |language=de |access-date=October 25, 2011}}</ref> Australia on September 30,<ref name="ausrelease">{{cite web |url=http://www.cdwow.com.au/CD/evanescence-open-door/dp/975607#bc=71d9 |title=Open Door by Evanescence |publisher=CD WOW! |access-date=October 26, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425083201/http://www.wowhd.com.au/CD/evanescence-open-door/dp/975607 |archive-date=April 25, 2012}}</ref> and North America<ref name="usrelease" /> on October 3. The digital version of the album was made available for pre-order on August 15, 2006, on iTunes. If purchased before October 3, 2006, the pre-order included an interview with Lee and a bonus track titled "The Last Song I'm Wasting on You",<ref name="offnews1">{{cite web |url=http://www.evanescence.com/news.asp |title=On Tuesday Aug 15th... |website=Evanescence.com |access-date=August 9, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107112212/http://javieraroche.com/2006/10/02/the-open-door-available-tomorrow-conan-obrien-tonight/ |archive-date=January 7, 2012}}</ref> which later appeared as a B-side track on the "Lithium" single.<ref name="metaledge"/>
On July 17, 2006, a clip of "Lacrymosa" was used in a video teaser for ''The Open Door''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/evanescence-the-open-door-trailer-available|title=Evanescence: 'The Open Door' Trailer Available |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=July 17, 2006 |access-date= June 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205183608/https://blabbermouth.net/news/evanescence-the-open-door-trailer-available|archive-date=February 5, 2023|url-status=dead}}</ref> "Call Me When You're Sober", the album's lead single, had a limited radio release on July 31, 2006, which preceded a wider release the following week.<ref name="SoberPRrelease">{{cite press release|url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/8/prweb418990.htm |title=Evanescence's New Single "Call Me When You're Sober" Made Available to US Radio via Digital Distribution |location=Orlando, Florida |date=August 1, 2006 |access-date=June 27, 2011 |via=PRWeb |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015124605/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/8/prweb418990.htm |archive-date=October 15, 2012}}</ref> As the track leaked onto the Internet two days before its scheduled release to radio airplay, Wind-up allowed radio stations to play the song ahead of schedule. Subsequently, the recording was made available for digital download on September 4, 2006, and a physical release as a single followed on September 25.<ref name="nme23736" /> For the week ending September 9, 2006, the song peaked at number 10 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100,<ref name="callpeak">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/2006-09-09/hot-100 |title=Hot 100: Week Ending September 9, 2006 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=November 4, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201005731/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2006-09-09/hot-100 |archive-date=December 1, 2013}}</ref> number three on the New Zealand Singles Chart,<ref name="callchart">{{cite web |url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Evanescence&titel=Call+Me+When+You%27re+Sober&cat=s |title=Evanescence – Call Me When You're Sober |website=charts.nz |access-date=November 4, 2011}}</ref> number five on the Australian Singles Chart,<ref name="auscall">{{cite web |url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Evanescence&titel=Call+Me+When+You%27re+Sober&cat=s |title=Evanescence – Call Me When You're Sober |website=australian-charts.com |access-date=November 4, 2011}}</ref> and at number four on the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="ukcall">{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20061001/7501/ |title=2006 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive: 7 October 2006 |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=November 4, 2011}}</ref> It also charted within the top 20 of many other international charts. The song was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 2009, and Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).<ref name="callriaa">{{cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Evanescence&ti=The+Open+Door&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section |title=Gold & Platinum Search Results |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |date=June 24, 2009 |access-date=April 30, 2016}}</ref><ref name="callaria">{{cite web |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/ARIACharts-Accreditations-2006Singles.htm |title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 Singles |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |year=2006 |access-date=November 3, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131190553/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/ariacharts-accreditations-2006singles.htm |archive-date=January 31, 2012}}</ref>
The second single, "Lithium", was released on December 4, 2006, in the UK.<ref name="lithium">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/lithium-ep/209052471|title=Lithium - EP|date=December 4, 2006 |publisher=iTunes Store (UK)|access-date=August 20, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010092539/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/lithium-ep/id209052471|archive-date=October 10, 2015}}</ref> It peaked at number 26 on the Australian Singles Chart,<ref name="lithiumaus">{{cite web |url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Evanescence&titel=Lithium&cat=s |title=Evanescence – Evanescence |website=australian-charts.com |access-date=November 9, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323081602/http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Evanescence&titel=Lithium&cat=s |archive-date=March 23, 2012}}</ref> number 32 on the UK Singles Chart<ref name="lithiumuk">{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20070114/7501/ |title=2007 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive – 20th January 2007 |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=November 9, 2011}}</ref> and at number 16 on the New Zealand Singles Chart.<ref name="nzlithium">{{cite web |url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Evanescence&titel=Lithium&cat=s |title=Evanescence – Lithium |website=charts.nz |access-date=November 9, 2011}}</ref> The album's third single was originally planned to be "All That I'm Living For", but after considering the wishes of Evanescence and its fans, the label released "Sweet Sacrifice" instead.<ref name="Law"/> The song was first released in Germany on May 25, 2007.<ref name="Amazon1">{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.de/dp/B000PE0LWS/ |title=Sweet Sacrifice/Basic <nowiki>[Maxi-CD]</nowiki> |publisher=Amazon.de (Germany)|access-date=June 28, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929115948/https://www.amazon.de/dp/B000PE0LWS/|archive-date=September 29, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> It charted in Germany,<ref name="gerchartsweet">{{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-248250 |title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts |language=de |publisher=Media Control Charts |access-date=November 6, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226002744/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-248250 |archive-date=December 26, 2015}}</ref> Turkey,<ref name="bb-turkey">{{cite magazine |title=Yabanci Sarki |magazine=Billboard Türkiye |date=July 2007 |issue=9 |page=90 |issn=1307-0959}}</ref> and on ''Billboard''{{'}}s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/evanescence/chart-history/rtt/|title=Evanescence Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 22, 2023}}</ref> "Good Enough" was released as the fourth single exclusively in Germany on December 14, 2007.<ref name="am-k7gm">{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.de/dp/B000WXK7GM/ |title=Good Enough/Basic |publisher=Amazon.com (Germany) |access-date=November 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218215640/http://www.amazon.de/Good-Enough-Basic-Evanescence/dp/B000WXK7GM|archive-date=December 18, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="am-k7gw">{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.de/dp/B000WXK7GW/ |title=Good Enough/Premium |publisher=Amazon.com (Germany) |access-date=November 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218222643/http://www.amazon.de/Good-Enough-Premium-Evanescence/dp/B000WXK7GW|archive-date=December 18, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
"Weight of the World" was released as a promotional single in October 2007 exclusively in Colombia.<ref name="lafm25563">{{cite news |title=Escuche: 'Weight of the world' lo nuevo de Evanescence |url=http://www.lafm.com.co/noticia.php3?nt=25563 |work=La FM |access-date=September 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070515075614/http://www.lafm.com.co/noticia.php3?nt=25563|archive-date=May 15, 2007 |language=es}}</ref> In 2009, it was released for download on the video game ''Rock Band 3'', along with "Call Me When You're Sober" and "Bring Me to Life".<ref>{{cite news|last=Hartley|first=Adam|title=Classic Spinal Tap tunes on Rock Band|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/classic-spinal-tap-tunes-on-rock-band-608233|access-date=July 29, 2013|work=TechRadar|date=June 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928131051/http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/classic-spinal-tap-tunes-on-rock-band-608233|archive-date=September 28, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The track "Together Again" was one of the songs Lee said she had originally written for the film ''The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'', which was rejected,{{refn|<ref name="mtv1493917"/><ref name="blend2076">{{cite news |url=http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=2076 |title=Amy Lee: Back in Black |access-date=January 9, 2007 |work=Blender |first=Josh |last=Eells |date=October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930190149/http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=2076 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="metaledge"/><ref name="fact-or-fiction">{{cite web |url=https://loudwire.com/evanescence-amy-lee-wikipedia-fact-or-fiction/|title=Evanescence's Amy Lee Plays 'Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?'|work=Loudwire |last=Hartmann |first=Graham |date=October 26, 2016 |access-date=March 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322081835/http://loudwire.com/evanescence-amy-lee-wikipedia-fact-or-fiction/ |archive-date=March 22, 2017}}</ref><ref name="west"/>}} and the song was later recorded for ''The Open Door'' as a B-side.<ref name="metaledge"/> It was made available as a free digital download on January 22, 2010, to benefit the United Nations Foundation for their recovery efforts following the Haiti earthquake.<ref name="unf2010">{{cite press release |url=http://www.unfoundation.org/news-and-media/press-releases/2010/evanescence-teams-up-with-united-nations-foundation.html |title=Evanescence Teams Up With the United Nations Foundation to Raise Money for Victims of the Earthquake in Haiti |publisher=United Nations Foundation |date=January 22, 2010 |access-date=January 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405083910/http://www.unfoundation.org/news-and-media/press-releases/2010/evanescence-teams-up-with-united-nations-foundation.html |archive-date=April 5, 2012}}</ref><ref name="roll201001">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/dave-matthews-band-lady-gaga-and-more-stars-rock-to-aid-haiti-20100119 |title=Dave Matthews Band, Lady Gaga and More Stars Rock to Aid Haiti |magazine=Rolling Stone |first=Daniel |last=Kreps |date=January 19, 2010 |access-date=November 1, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018070506/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/dave-matthews-band-lady-gaga-and-more-stars-rock-to-aid-haiti-20100119 |archive-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref><ref name="digi199047">{{cite news |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a199047/evanescence-release-charity-haiti-song.html |title=Evanescence release charity Haiti song |website=Digital Spy |first=David |last=Balls |date=January 25, 2010 |access-date=November 1, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100402094159/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a199047/evanescence-release-charity-haiti-song.html |archive-date=April 2, 2010}}</ref> Lee stated: "I am deeply moved by the tragic loss and devastation in Haiti. We hope to be able to make a positive contribution to the UN's emergency response by teaming with the UN Foundation through our music."<ref name="unf2010" /> On February 23, 2010, "Together Again" was released as a digital download by online retailers.<ref name="togrelease">"Together Again" – digital single on various online retailers: *{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/Together-Again/dp/B0037BTOPQ |title=Together Again – Evanescence – MP3 Downloads |website=Amazon |access-date=November 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825002313/http://www.amazon.com/Together-Again/dp/B0037BTOPQ |archive-date=August 25, 2013}} *{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/together-again-single/id354622289 |title=Together Again – Single by Evanescence |website=iTunes Store (United States) |access-date=November 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203201845/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/together-again-single/id354622289 |archive-date=December 3, 2011}}</ref> It peaked at number 86 on the Canadian Hot 100.<ref name="acharts">{{cite web |url=http://acharts.us/song/53876 |title=Together Again – Evanescence – Music Charts |publisher=aCharts.com |access-date=November 6, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203025737/http://acharts.us/song/53876 |archive-date=December 3, 2011}}</ref>
===Tour=== thumb|upright=0.75|Amy Lee during a concert in 2007
Extra time was given for Balsamo to recover more from his stroke before touring began. Lee said that "there was so much pressure", but she did not want to hire another guitar player; it was important for her to have Balsamo on tour and she was confident he was going to get better.<ref name="billinterview"/><ref name="Richard 2006"/> "So much of his heart went into this record, and I don't think it would be right to go without him", she added. "We hadn't played together since the stroke, and a few weeks ago [before October 2006] we had our first rehearsal and it was an amazing feeling."<ref name="Richard 2006"/> Lee said Balsamo was still recovering but he and guitarist John LeCompt "worked it out as to who's going to play what and what's going to be the best for [Balsamo]."<ref name="Richard 2006"/> In October 2006, Balsamo stated that he was only about 60 percent recovered and still had paralysis in his left arm.<ref name="blend2076"/> A month after touring began, Balsamo said that he still had paralysis in his left arm and hand. "I'm like at enough where I can get by on tour. Basically this tour is like therapy right now for me. I'm hoping it will get better."<ref name="fillingbenshoes">{{cite web |title=Evanescence Guitarist: Filling Ben Moody's Shoes |url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/interviews/evanescence_guitarist_filling_ben_moodys_shoes.html |work=Ultimate Guitar |access-date=July 27, 2013 |date=November 3, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231001211/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/interviews/evanescence_guitarist_filling_ben_moodys_shoes.html |archive-date=December 31, 2013}}</ref> The "knowledge" of guitar playing was still there, he noted, and "my mind would tell my hand what it should do, but it wouldn't do it"; the process was about retraining his hand "to do what it's supposed to do."<ref name="fillingbenshoes"/>
The first leg of The Open Door Tour began on October 5, 2006, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada,<ref name="tourbegin">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57574/evanescence-unveils-fall-tour-plans |title=Evanescence Unveils Fall Tour Plans |magazine=Billboard |access-date=November 4, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912095213/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57574/evanescence-unveils-fall-tour-plans |archive-date=September 12, 2014}}</ref> and finished on December 15, 2006, in New York City. After touring North America during October, Evanescence traveled to Europe during November before returning to the United States to play at large arenas.<ref name="tourbegin" /> The leg of the tour continued on January 5, 2007, and consisted of appearances in Canada, Japan and Australia.<ref name="mtv11538267">{{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/28lysa/evanescence-set-for-fall-tour-amy-lee-reveals-inspiration-behind-sober|title=Evanescence Set For Fall Tour; Amy Lee Reveals Inspiration Behind 'Sober' |publisher=MTV News |first=Chris |last=Harris |date=August 9, 2006 |access-date=August 13, 2006 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110407234539/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1538267/amy-lee-reveals-inspiration-behind-sober.jhtml |archive-date=April 7, 2011}}</ref> When performing in the United States, Canada and Australia, Evanescence was supported by Revelation Theory, Stone Sour and The Black Maria, and Shihad, respectively. The tour's second leg commenced on March 16, 2007, in Fresno, California, and continued in North America, South America, South Africa, and back to North America,<ref name="rockontherange">{{cite web |url=http://www.crewstadium.com/?s=events&h=calendar&e=00249 |title=Rock on the Range |work=CrewStadium.com |access-date=March 25, 2007 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070316063456/http://crewstadium.com/?s=events&h=calendar&e=00249 |archive-date=March 16, 2007}}</ref> and finished in Europe. The United States gigs included support from Chevelle and Finger Eleven. In Buenos Aires, Evanescence played at a rock festival with Aerosmith, Velvet Revolver and Ratones Paranóicos. Between the European gigs, the band took part in the Family Values Tour 2007 alongside Korn. After Family Values, the band continued touring through Mexico and the U.S. The final leg of the tour began on October 23, 2007, in Coral Gables, Florida; the band was supported by Sick Puppies and Julien-K, while Shiny Toy Guns made a guest appearance during the December 1, 2007, show at University Park, Pennsylvania. After over a year of touring, the last show was played in Kingston, Rhode Island on December 9, 2007. New additions to the setlist of the tour's final leg included "Lose Control", "Missing" and "Understanding".<ref name="pegasuslose">{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Kenneth |title=Concert review: Evanescence at Nokia Theater |url=http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/oct/31/evanescence-nokia-theater/ |access-date=July 30, 2013 |newspaper=Pegasus News |date=October 31, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017092200/http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/oct/31/evanescence-nokia-theater/ |archive-date=October 17, 2008}}</ref>
==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | MC = 61/100<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/the-open-door/evanescence |title=The Open Door by Evanescence Reviews and Tracks |work=Metacritic |access-date=April 14, 2018}}</ref> | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="allmusic" /> | rev2 = ''Billboard'' | rev2Score = Positive<ref name="billboardreview" /> | rev3 = Blabbermouth.net | rev3Score = 7/10<ref name="BB" /> | rev4 = ''Blender'' | rev4Score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="blenderReview" /> | rev5 = ''Entertainment Weekly'' | rev5Score = B+<ref name="EW" /> | rev6 = ''IGN'' | rev6Score = {{rating|7.9|10}}<ref name="IGN"/> | rev7 = ''Kerrang!'' | rev7Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Kerrang!"/> | rev8 = ''Rolling Stone'' | rev8Score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="rollingstonereview" /> | rev9 = ''Spin'' | rev9Score = 8/10<ref name="spinreview" /> | rev10 = ''USA Today'' | rev10Score = {{rating|3|4}}<ref name="UST" /> }}
Review aggregator Metacritic, which applies a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, gave the album a score of 61 based on 12 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="meta">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/the-open-door/critic-reviews |title=The Open Door Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic |website=Metacritic |access-date=June 12, 2011}}</ref> ''IGN'' music reviewer Ed Thompson rated the album 7.9 out 10, writing that ''The Open Door'' "is everything that you could ever want in a follow-up album—and more", and Lee and Balsamo "seem to have a better understanding of each other than Lee and Moody ever did. The tracks are less radio-friendly ... but they are all the more complete".<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |url=http://music.ign.com/articles/737/737281p1.html |title=The Open Door (Evanescence) – Music Review |website=IGN |first=Ed |last=Thompson |date=October 3, 2006 |access-date=October 21, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628221452/http://music.ign.com/articles/737/737281p1.html |archive-date=June 28, 2011}}</ref> Rob Sheffield of ''Rolling Stone'' said the best songs on it "are the creepiest. Lee has got a touch of the magnetic and destructive herself. But that's what makes the breakup songs feel mighty real."<ref name="rollingstonereview" /> Jon Dolan of ''Entertainment Weekly'' felt that the record is "more personal and, by accessing a deeper emotional palette, maybe even more universal".<ref name="EW" /> Lee "isn't just drawn to melodrama; she thrives on it", ''Blender'' wrote, and the album is "denser and more scuzzed-up" than ''Fallen'' while "amp[ing] everything up to gloriously epic, over-the-top proportions".<ref name="blenderReview">{{cite magazine |title=Dumped by a bandmate, Amy Lee returns, gothier.|magazine=Blender|date=October 3, 2006|page=129|url=http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=4206|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011161126/http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=4206|archive-date=October 11, 2007}}</ref>
Gary Graff of ''Billboard'' said ''The Open Door'' shows that Lee "was as much a part of ''Fallen'' as Moody", and she translates her "heartache into another successful set of melodramatic goth/industrial anthems with touches of prog and even classical".<ref name="billboardreview" /> ''Spin''{{'}}s Mellisa Maerz regarded it a "post-dysfunctional kiss-off that builds from ethereal Sunday-mass uplift into full-eff-you guitar dirges, revealing an angrier, more self-assured Lee who waxes sardonic but still misses the comfort in being sad".<ref name="spinreview">{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iemUgvxmQcYC&pg=PA67 |title=She sold more than 15 million albums with Evanescence, only to find herself in abusive relationships |magazine=Spin |date=October 2006 |first=Melissa |last=Maerz |volume=22 |number=10 |pages=67–70|issn=0886-3032 |access-date=April 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127035322/https://books.google.com/books?id=iemUgvxmQcYC&pg=PA67|archive-date=November 27, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Eric Danton of ''Hartford Courant'' said a "new, stronger Lee" is evident, "one who scarcely sounds like the uncertain performer from 2003. She is clearly in command on her band's sophomore effort".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2006-10-19-0610190610-story.html|title=Lee, Set Free, Commands Evanescence|work=Hartford Courant|date=October 19, 2006|accessdate=September 27, 2022|first=Eric|last=Danton}}</ref> Reviewing for ''The New York Times'', Kelefa Sanneh wrote that it is "no surprise" that after Moody's departure "Evanescence sounds gloomier and thornier than the old one", with Lee "finally free to be as bombastic as she wants to be", although the album is "less fun".<ref name="sanneh" /> Sarah Rodman of ''The Boston Globe'' found the final track "Good Enough" to be the "lone glimmer in the gloom", adding that "if [the album] featured more open-throated crooning and less teeth-gritting anger it would be a much more interesting record".<ref name="bosglobe" /> ''St. Louis Post-Dispatch''{{'}}s Sara Berry opined that while the record is "overwhelmingly dark", the band "manages to escape the 'sophomore slump'", complimenting the music and deeming it "an ideal soundtrack for life's moodier moments."<ref name="stltoday">{{Cite news |url=https://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/article_9847293e-36c7-5e3a-b70a-33742d671d9a.html?print=1 |title=Evanescence makes welcome return through 'The Open Door' |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |first=Sara |last=Berry |date=October 13, 2006 |access-date=October 21, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104184112/http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/article_9847293e-36c7-5e3a-b70a-33742d671d9a.html?print=1 |archive-date=January 4, 2013}}</ref> Nick Catucci of ''New York magazine'' remarked that the album "bristles with righteous anger" alongside "meticulously produced arrangements" that echoes Scandinavian art-metal while Lee "whispers and wails with a pain and ambivalence closer in spirit to the blues".<ref name="NYmag">{{cite web|url=https://nymag.com/guides/fallpreview/2006/music/19737/|title=Losing Their Religion|work=New York magazine|first=Nick|last=Catucci|date=August 24, 2006|accessdate=October 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513073144/https://nymag.com/guides/fallpreview/2006/music/19737/|archive-date=May 13, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Santa Barbara Independent''{{'s}} Aly Comingore said ''The Open Door'' "successfully slammed in the face of [Lee's] disbelievers", and "moved in a direction that is simultaneously new and reminiscent of the potential at which ''Fallen'' once hinted."<ref name="Aly">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.com/2007/11/08/evanescence-frontwoman-amy-lee-steps-up-delivers-album-all-her-own/|title=Evanescence Frontwoman Amy Lee Steps Up, Delivers an Album All Her Own|work=Santa Barbara Independent|date=November 8, 2007|accessdate=October 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007091719/https://www.independent.com/2007/11/08/evanescence-frontwoman-amy-lee-steps-up-delivers-album-all-her-own/|archive-date=October 7, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Andre Farias of ''Christianity Today'' found the album "an extension" of Evanescence's previous work, and complimented Lee's "operatic soprano" and "enigmatic and sinister" way of channeling her frustrations.<ref name="Farias" /> Jim Farber of the ''Daily News'' commented that the "hybrid" of musical styles "offers a genuine alternative to everything else that's out there" and the "production has more heft than [''Fallen''{{'}}s]", but felt the "jerry-built" sound the band used "isn't anything to be admired".<ref name="nydailynews.com">{{cite web|url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2006-10-01/entertainment/18345356_1_band-songs-brandon-flowers/2 |title=Blasting Into 'Town' |work=New York Daily News |last=Farber |first=Jim |date=October 1, 2006 |access-date=October 21, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523193315/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2006-10-01/entertainment/18345356_1_band-songs-brandon-flowers/2 |archive-date=May 23, 2012}}</ref> Andy Gill of ''The Independent'' criticized the album, opining that the band "never strays outside the short distance from paranoid to apocalyptic, concerns addressed in as bombastic and tune-dodging a manner as possible".<ref name="ie.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-evanescence-418823.html |title=Album: Evanescence |work=The Independent |location=London |first=Andy |last=Gill |date=October 6, 2006 |access-date=October 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427192418/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-evanescence-418823.html |archive-date=April 27, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> MusicOMH's Alex Nunn panned it, believing that the band needed ex-member Moody.<ref name="musicOMH">{{cite web |url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/evanescence_1006.htm |title=Evanescence – The Open Door (Columbia) |website=musicOMH |last=Nunn |first=Alex |access-date=June 12, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011120400/http://www.musicomh.com/albums/evanescence_1006.htm |archive-date=October 11, 2012}}</ref> Writing for ''Miami New Times'', John Hood said that Balsamo and Lee "proved to be a dreamily creepy team — harder, earthier, and infinitely more shadowed", and "there's something almost life-affirming about Lee's dark dig into the deep."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/through-the-open-door-6333275|title=Through the Open Door|work=Miami New Times|date=October 18, 2007|access-date=October 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802164937/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/through-the-open-door-6333275|archive-date=August 2, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Christa Titus of ''Billboard'' called the album a "far more nuanced, moody and richly textured effort" than ''Fallen''.<ref name="landscape">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/466221/evanescence-returns-to-an-altered-rock-landscape |title=Evanescence Returns to an Altered Rock Landscape |magazine=Billboard |first=Christa |last=Titus |date=October 11, 2011 |page=1 |access-date=November 3, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621100635/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/466221/evanescence-returns-to-an-altered-rock-landscape |archive-date=June 21, 2013}}</ref> AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine said that much of ''The Open Door'' is "a muddle of affections" and it sonically "captures the Evanescence mythos better and more consistently than the first album – after all, Lee now has no apologies of being the thinking man's nu-metal chick".<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-open-door-mw0000445527 |title=The Open Door – Evanescence |website=AllMusic |first=Stephen |last=Thomas Erlewine |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |access-date=December 19, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426023234/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-open-door-mw0000445527|archive-date=April 26, 2022}}</ref>
Ann Powers of ''Los Angeles Times'' called ''The Open Door'' an ambitious album, with Lee "firmly at the center of its whorl of personal confession, high theater and head-banging rock", while it's "exciting to hear, throughout this avid music, a major young talent kicking against the restrictions of the rock she loves."<ref name="Powers"/> ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' felt that the songs are "gloomier than ever" while the album is ambitious, noting "Lacrymosa" as its centerpiece and deeming "Lithium"'s refrain as getting "to the heart of Lee's life story so far".<ref name="smh"/> Reviewing for Blabbermouth.net, Don Kaye considered the album "superior" to ''Fallen'' "in almost every respect", praising the instrumentation, production, and Lee coming "fully into her own".<ref name="BB">{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/the-open-door/|title=CD Reviews - The Open Door Evanescence|work=Blabbermouth.net|first=Don|last=Kaye|date=October 2, 2006|accessdate=December 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916032518/http://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/the-open-door/|archive-date=September 16, 2016}}</ref> Edna Gundersen of ''USA Today'' rated the album three out four stars, writing, "Less spiritual than ''Fallen'' (and in fact downright decadent in spots), Lee's songs dwell in romantic purgatory" and "her operatic wail is lashed to the band's brand of ethereal goth-metal".<ref name="UST">{{cite news|title=Evanescence, The Open Door|newspaper=USA Today|date=October 10, 2006|first=Edna|last=Gundersen}}</ref> ''Metal Edge'' regarded the album a "worthy follow-up that carves out its own distinct niche", and "all the requisite Evanescence ingredients are to be found, but this time, they serve up a tasty concoction of a different flavour".<ref name="metaledge"/> Nick Ruskell of ''Kerrang!'' wrote, "not only does ''The Open Door'' well and truly wipe the floor with ''Fallen'', it's also a massive creative leap into territory far more epic, exciting and musically fulfilling than its somewhat restrained predecessor", concluding that it "presents a watertight case that Moody buggering off was perhaps the best thing that ever happened to this band."<ref name="Kerrang!">{{cite magazine |date=September 20, 2006 |title=Stairway to Heaven: Amy Lee Hits an Unexpected Stride of Excellence|magazine=Kerrang!|first=Nick|last=Ruskell}}</ref> In a 2021 retrospective, ''Metal Hammer'' ranked ''The Open Door'' as Evanescence's best album, highlighting Lee's songwriting and vision, the album's ambience, and it standing the test of time, "stepping up as Evanescence's most enduring statement."<ref>{{cite web|title=Every Evanescence album ranked from worst to best|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/every-evanescence-album-ranked-from-worst-to-best|work=Metal Hammer|date=April 5, 2021|accessdate=December 19, 2022}}</ref>
"Sweet Sacrifice", was nominated in the category of Best Hard Rock Performance at the 50th Grammy Awards.<ref name="Grammy2008">{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1581272/20080210/story.jhtml |title=Grammy 2008 Winners List |date=February 10, 2008 |publisher=MTV News |access-date=November 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605084144/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1581272/20080210/story.jhtml |archive-date=June 5, 2009}}</ref> At the 2007 NRJ Music Awards, ''The Open Door'' received a nomination for Best International Album of the Year and "Call Me When You're Sober" was nominated for Best Video.<ref name="nrj">{{cite web |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news/aguilera-and-evanescence-leads-nrj-nominations_1012178 |title=Aguilera And Evanescence Leads Nrj Nominations |website=Contactmusic.com |date=October 29, 2006 |access-date=November 6, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829032318/http://www.contactmusic.com/news/aguilera-and-evanescence-leads-nrj-nominations_1012178 |archive-date=August 29, 2012}}</ref> The album also won Album of the Year at the 2007 MTV Australia Video Music Awards.<ref name="MTVAaoty">{{cite news |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/tv/mtv-night-of-frocks-n-roll/story-e6frexlr-1111113436651 |title=MTV night of frocks 'n' roll |work=The Daily Telegraph |author=Sydney Confidential |date=April 30, 2007 |access-date=April 30, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811192254/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/tv/mtv-night-of-frocks-n-roll/story-e6frexlr-1111113436651 |archive-date=August 11, 2011}}</ref>
==Commercial performance== ''The Open Door'' debuted at number one in the United States, Australia, Germany and Switzerland, and charted in the top five in Austria, Canada, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, South Korea, Sweden and the United Kingdom.<ref name="australiapeak" /> On the US ''Billboard'' 200, ''The Open Door'' debuted at number one, selling over 447,000 copies in its first week.<ref name="billboard1">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56996/evanescence-zooms-by-killers-to-take-no-1 |title=Evanescence Zooms By Killers To Take No. 1 |magazine=Billboard |first=Katie |last=Hasty |date=October 11, 2006 |access-date=October 15, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729123342/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56996/evanescence-zooms-by-killers-to-take-no-1 |archive-date=July 29, 2013}}</ref><ref name="billdeb">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/2006-10-21/billboard-200 |title=Music Album, Top 200 Albums & Music Album Charts (October 21, 2006) |magazine=Billboard |access-date=November 14, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330064800/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2006-10-21/billboard-200 |archive-date=March 30, 2013}}</ref> Additionally, the record opened at the top position on the Rock Albums chart and at number two on the Digital Albums.<ref name="rockdeb">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-albums/2006-10-21 |title=Top Rock Music, Rock Music Albums & Rock Music Artists Charts (October 21, 2006) |magazine=Billboard |access-date=November 14, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120182425/http://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-albums/2006-10-21 |archive-date=November 20, 2016}}</ref><ref name="digdeb">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/2006-10-21/digital-albums |title=Digital Albums (October 21, 2006) |magazine=Billboard |access-date=November 14, 2011}}</ref> Two weeks after its availability in the United States, the album sold approximately 725,000 copies, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 6, 2006.<ref name="riaa"/> ''The Open Door'' became the 38th best-selling album of 2006 in the U.S.; it was the 52nd best-selling album for 2007.<ref name="usyear" /><ref name="usyear2">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/top-billboard-200-albums |title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2007 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=October 21, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228075828/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/top-billboard-200-albums |archive-date=February 28, 2015}}</ref> On June 24, 2009, the album was awarded double platinum certification by the RIAA.<ref name="riaa">{{cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Evanescence&ti=The+Open+Door&format=Album&type=#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum: Search Results |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=December 19, 2022}}</ref> It sold 2.1 million copies in the U.S. by October 2011.<ref name=Soundscan />
On the UK Albums Chart, ''The Open Door'' debuted and peaked at number two on October 14, 2006.<ref name="ukpeak" /> In Canada, the album debuted at number two, selling over 43,000 copies in its first week.<ref name="canpeak" /> It was later certified double platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA).<ref name="cria" /> In Australia and New Zealand, the album peaked at numbers one and two, respectively.<ref name="australiapeak" /><ref name="nzpeak" /> It was later certified double-platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and platinum by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ).<ref name="aria" /><ref name="rianz" /> By October 2011, the album had sold six million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegram.com/story/business/names-faces/2011/10/29/evanescence-s-queen-young-rockers/49852910007/|title=Evanescence's queen of young rockers spellbinding at Palladium|work=Telegram & Gazette|date=October 29, 2011|accessdate=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810055451/https://www.telegram.com/story/business/names-faces/2011/10/29/evanescence-s-queen-young-rockers/49852910007/|archive-date=August 10, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Track listing== {{Track listing | all_writing = Amy Lee and Terry Balsamo, except where noted
| title1 = Sweet Sacrifice | length1 = 3:05
| title2 = Call Me When You're Sober | length2 = 3:34
| title3 = Weight of the World | length3 = 3:37
| title4 = Lithium | note4 = Lee | length4 = 3:44
| title5 = Cloud Nine | length5 = 4:22
| title6 = Snow White Queen | length6 = 4:22
| title7 = Lacrymosa | length7 = 3:37
| title8 = Like You | note8 = Lee | length8 = 4:16
| title9 = Lose Control | length9 = 4:50
| title10 = The Only One | length10 = 4:40
| title11 = Your Star | length11 = 4:43
| title12 = All That I'm Living For | note12 = Lee, John LeCompt | length12 = 3:48
| title13 = Good Enough | note13 = Lee | length13 = 5:32
| total_length = 54:10 }} {{Track listing | headline = Japanese edition bonus track<ref name="cdj668" /> | title14 = Call Me When You're Sober | note14 = acoustic version | length14 = 3:39 }}
{{Track listing | headline = Japanese limited edition bonus content<ref name="cdj668" /> | title15 = Call Me When You're Sober | note15 = music video | title16 = Making of the Video – Behind the scenes footage }}
===Notes=== * Lee confirmed three planned B-sides for the album: "The Last Song I'm Wasting on You", which served as a B-side to "Lithium", "If You Don't Mind", and "Together Again".<ref name="metaledge" /> * The two-disc Japanese limited edition was released on September 27, 2006, and includes the music video for "Call Me When You're Sober" and behind-the-scenes footage. The CD also contains a bonus track.<ref name="cdj668" />
==Personnel== Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''The Open Door''.<ref name="Cre"/>
'''Evanescence''' * Amy Lee – vocals, piano, choral arrangements, additional programming, organ<ref name="west"/> * Terry Balsamo – guitar * John LeCompt – guitar; additional programming {{small|(tracks 2, 12)}} * Will Boyd – bass * Rocky Gray – drums
'''Additional musicians''' * David Campbell – orchestral arrangements * Seattlemusic – strings * Simon James – concertmaster * Millennium Choir – choir performance: Susan Youngblood, Talaya Trigueros, Mary Gaffney, Alyssa Campbell, Bebe Gordon, Melanie Bruno, Dwight Stone, Eric Castro, Darryl Phinnessee, Tamara Berard, Kevin Dalbey, Marcella Carmona, Tania Themmen, Joanne Paratore, Lisa Wall-Urgero * DJ Lethal – programming * Bon Harris – additional programming {{small|(track 12)}} * Carrie Lee – background vocals {{small|(track 2)}} * Lori Lee – background vocals {{small|(track 2)}}
'''Technical''' * Dave Fortman – production, mixing * Jeremy Parker – engineering * Mike Hogue – engineering assistance * Wesley Seidman – engineering assistance * Rory Faciane – drum teching * Ted Jensen – mastering
'''Artwork''' * Gail Marowitz – art direction * Ed Sherman – package design * Frank Ockenfels 3 – photography * Karl Larsen – photography * Beth Wilson – photography * Amy Lee – album cover design<ref name="Forbes 16"/>
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Weekly chart performance for ''The Open Door'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2006) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{album chart|Australia|1|artist=Evanescence|album=The Open Door|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015|refname=australiapeak}} |- {{album chart|Austria|2|artist=Evanescence|album=The Open Door|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015}} |- {{album chart|Flanders|9|artist=Evanescence|album=The Open Door|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015}} |- {{album chart|Wallonia|4|artist=Evanescence|album=The Open Door|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015}} |- {{album chart|BillboardCanada|2|artist=Evanescence|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015|refname="canpeak"}} |- ! scope="row"| Croatian International Albums (HDU)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.topoftheshops.com.hr/pdf/s42.pdf|title=Top of the Shops – službena tjedna lista prodanih stranih albuma u Hrvatskoj 42. tjedan 2006.|publisher=Top of the Shops |language=hr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701191033/http://www.topoftheshops.com.hr/pdf/s42.pdf|archive-date=July 1, 2007}}</ref> | 1 |- {{album chart|Czech|4|year=2006|week=43|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015}} |- {{album chart|Denmark|5|artist=Evanescence|album=The Open Door|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|2|artist=Evanescence|album=The Open Door|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015}} |- ! scope="row"| European Albums (''Billboard'')<ref name="europeak">{{cite magazine |last=Sexton |first=Paul |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/evanescence-door-stays-open-to-euro-no-1-1348574/ |title=Evanescence 'Door' Stays Open To Euro No. 1 |magazine=Billboard |date=October 26, 2006 |access-date=January 6, 2021}}</ref> | 1 |- {{album chart|Finland|5|artist=Evanescence|album=The Open Door|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015}} |- {{album chart|France|2|artist=Evanescence|album=The Open Door|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015}} |- {{album chart|Germany|1|id=40756|artist=Evanescence|album=The Open Door|rowheader=true|access-date=January 6, 2021}} |- ! scope="row"| Greek Albums (IFPI)<ref name="greecepeak">{{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.gr/chart04.htm |script-title=el:Top 50 Ελληνικών και Ξένων Αλμπουμ – Εβδομάδα 07/2007 |trans-title=Top 50 Greek and Foreign Albums – Week 07/2007 |language=el |publisher=IFPI Greece |access-date=October 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302122532/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart04.htm |archive-date=March 2, 2007}}</ref> | 3 |- {{album chart|Hungary|11|year=2006|week=40|rowheader=true|access-date=January 6, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Ireland|3|year=2006|week=40|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015}} |- {{album chart|Italy|2|artist=Evanescence|album=The Open Door|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015}} |- ! scope="row"| Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref name="japanpeak">{{cite web |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/317884/products/672278/1/ |script-title=ja:ザ・オープン・ドア {{!}} エヴァネッセンス |trans-title=The Open Door {{!}} Evanescence |language=ja |publisher=Oricon |access-date=January 6, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106190936/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/317884/products/672278/1/ |archive-date=January 6, 2021}}</ref> | 4 |- ! scope="row"| Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico)<ref name="mex">{{cite web |url=http://www.amprofon.com.mx/Archivos/PDF/top_anual/Top_100_Album_2006.pdf |title=Top 100 Album 2006 |language=es |publisher=Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215041230/http://www.amprofon.com.mx/Archivos/PDF/top_anual/Top_100_Album_2006.pdf |archive-date=February 15, 2010}}</ref> | 1 |- {{album chart|New Zealand|2|artist=Evanescence|album=The Open Door|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015|refname="nzpeak"}} |- {{album chart|Norway|3|artist=Evanescence|album=The Open Door|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015}} |- {{album chart|Poland|8|id=337|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015}} |- {{album chart|Portugal|2|artist=Evanescence|album=The Open Door|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|3|date=20061008|rowheader=true|access-date=January 6, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Spain|5|artist=Evanescence|album=The Open Door|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015}} |- {{album chart|Sweden|2|artist=Evanescence|album=The Open Door|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015}} |- {{album chart|Switzerland|1|artist=Evanescence|album=The Open Door|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015}} |- ! scope="row"|Taiwanese Albums (Five Music)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.5music.com.tw/billboard.asp|title=Taiwan 42/2006 |language=Chinese |publisher=Five-Music |accessdate=August 5, 2024 |at=On the page, select the third option on the horizontal menu, "西洋音樂" (Western Music); then go to the drop-down list at the top right and select "2006 42"}}</ref> | 1 |- {{album chart|UK2|2|date=20061008|rowheader=true|access-date=January 6, 2021|refname=ukpeak}} |- {{album chart|UKRock|1|date=20061008|rowheader=true|access-date=January 6, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=Evanescence|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRock|1|artist=Evanescence|rowheader=true|access-date=September 5, 2015}} |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ 2006 year-end chart performance for ''The Open Door'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2006) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref name="ausyear">{{cite web |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/ARIACHarts-EndofYearCharts-Top100Albums2006.htm |title=ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2006 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |access-date=October 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127032212/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/ARIACHarts-EndofYearCharts-Top100Albums2006.htm |archive-date=January 27, 2014}}</ref> | 32 |- ! scope="row"| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)<ref name="austyear">{{cite web |url=https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=a&id=2006 |title=Jahreshitparade Alben 2006 |website=austriancharts.at |language=de |access-date=January 6, 2021}}</ref> | 38 |- ! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref name="flanyear">{{cite web |url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2006&cat=a |title=Jaaroverzichten 2006 – Albums |language=nl |publisher=Ultratop |access-date=October 21, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014005432/http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2006&cat=a |archive-date=October 14, 2013}}</ref> | 82 |- ! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)<ref name="wallyear">{{cite web |url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2006&cat=a |title=Rapports Annuels 2006 – Albums |language=fr |publisher=Ultratop |access-date=October 21, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014005424/http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2006&cat=a |archive-date=October 14, 2013}}</ref> | 48 |- ! scope="row"| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref name="dutchyear">{{cite web |url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2006&cat=a |title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 2006 |language=nl |publisher=Dutch Charts |access-date=October 21, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217033911/http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2006&cat=a |archive-date=December 17, 2013}}</ref> | 79 |- ! scope="row"| European Albums (''Billboard'')<ref name="euroyear">{{cite magazine |url=http://login.vnuemedia.com/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2006/european_top_100_albums.jsp |title=Year End Charts – European Top 100 Albums |magazine=Billboard |year=2006 |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629080425/http://login.vnuemedia.com/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2006/european_top_100_albums.jsp |archive-date=June 29, 2012}}</ref> | 21 |- ! scope="row"| Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)<ref>The first list is the list of best-selling domestic albums of 2006 in Finland and the second is that of the best-selling foreign albums: * {{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/myydyimmat/2006/kotimaiset/albumit |title=Myydyimmät kotimaiset albumit vuonna 2006 |publisher=Musiikkituottajat |language=fi |accessdate=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107031132/http://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/myydyimmat/2006/kotimaiset/albumit |archive-date=January 7, 2014}} * {{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/myydyimmat/2006/ulkomaiset/albumit |title=Myydyimmät ulkomaiset albumit vuonna 2006 |language=fi |publisher=Musiikkituottajat |access-date=October 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406014303/http://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/myydyimmat/2006/ulkomaiset/albumit |archive-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref> | 66 |- ! scope="row"| French Albums (SNEP)<ref name="frayear">{{cite web |url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-albums-annee/?annee=2006 |title=Tops de l'année {{!}} Top Albums – 2006 |language=fr |publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique |access-date=January 6, 2021}}</ref> | 49 |- ! scope="row"| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref name="geryear">{{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-2006 |title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 2006 |language=de |publisher=GfK Entertainment |access-date=January 6, 2021}}</ref> | 38 |- ! scope="row"| Greek Albums (IFPI)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.gr/annual_charts.htm |title=Annual Chart – Year 2006 Top 50 Ελληνικών και Ξένων Αλμπουμ |language=el |publisher=IFPI Greece |access-date=January 26, 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202161447/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart04_annual.htm |archive-date=February 2, 2007}}</ref> | 21 |- ! scope="row"| Greek Foreign Albums (IFPI)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.gr/chart01_annual.htm |title=Annual Chart – Year 2006 Top 50 Ξένων Αλμπουμ |language=el |publisher=IFPI Greece |access-date=January 26, 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202161722/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart01_annual.htm |archive-date=February 2, 2007}}</ref> | 3 |- ! scope="row"| Italian Albums (FIMI)<ref name="itayear">{{cite web |url=https://www.fimi.it/top-of-the-music/classifiche.kl#/charts/11/2006/0 |title=Classifica Annuale 2006 (dal 02.01.2006 al 31.12.2006) |publisher=Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana |language=it |access-date=January 17, 2021}}</ref> | 47 |- ! scope="row"| Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico)<ref name="mex"/> | 39 |- ! scope="row"| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref name="swiyear">{{cite web |url=http://swisscharts.com/year.asp?key=2006 |title=Swiss Year-End Charts 2006 |website=swisscharts.com |access-date=October 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016045338/http://swisscharts.com/year.asp?key=2006 |archive-date=October 16, 2012}}</ref> | 22 |- ! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref name="ukyear">{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/20060108/37502/ |title=End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2006 |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=January 6, 2021}}</ref> | 81 |- ! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref name="usyear">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/top-billboard-200-albums |title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2006 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=October 21, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101185138/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/top-billboard-200-albums |archive-date=January 1, 2015}}</ref> | 57 |- ! scope="row"| US Top Rock Albums (''Billboard'')<ref name="rockyear">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/top-rock-albums |title=Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2006 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 29, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330214708/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/top-rock-albums |archive-date=March 30, 2016}}</ref> | 8 |- ! scope="row"| Worldwide Albums (IFPI)<ref name="ifpiyearend">{{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/top50-2006.pdf |title=Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2006 |publisher=International Federation of the Phonographic Industry |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306112901/http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/top50-2006.pdf |archive-date=March 6, 2009}}</ref> | 14 |}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ 2007 year-end chart performance for ''The Open Door'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2007) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref name="usyear2" /> | 52 |- ! scope="row"| US Top Rock Albums (''Billboard'')<ref name="rockyear2">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/top-rock-albums |title=Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2007 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 29, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416145609/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2007/top-rock-albums |archive-date=April 16, 2016}}</ref> | 10 |} {{col-end}}
==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''The Open Door''}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2006|certref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=evanescence&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=O&Tipo=0&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP|title=Discos de Oro y Platino - Evanescence|language=es|publisher=Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617194603/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=evanescence&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=O&Tipo=0&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP|archive-date=June 17, 2009}}</ref>}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Platinum|number=2|type=album|certyear=2007|refname="aria"}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2006}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Gold|type=album|certyear=2006|relyear=2006}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2006|certyear=2006}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Evanescence|title=Open Door|award=Platinum|type=album|number=2|relyear=2006|refname="cria"}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Chile (IFPI Chile)|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|salesamount=10,000|certref=<ref name="Chile">{{cite web|url=https://www.emol.com/noticias/magazine/2007/02/16/246081/posponen-un-dia-concierto-de-evanescence-en-chile.html|title=Posponen un día concierto de Evanescence en Chile|date=February 16, 2007 |publisher=El Mercurio Online|language=es|quote="Evanescence llega para mostrar su último material The open door, trabajo que logró el disco de oro en Chile por las más de diez mil copias vendidas."|trans-quote=Evanescence arrives to show their latest material, "The Open Door", album that was certified Gold in Chile for 10,000 copies sold.}}</ref>|salesref=<ref name="Chile"/>}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|certmonth=10}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2006|relmonth=09|certyear=2023|access-date=February 17, 2023}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Greece|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2006|relmonth=09|id=20070302122532}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Hungary|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2006|relmonth=10|certyear=2007}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Ireland|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2006|relmonth=10|certyear=2006}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Gold|relyear=2006|relmonth=09|certyear=2006|certmonth=10}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2006|relmonth=09}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Platinum|type=album|id=2007-02-16|source=newchart|access-date=November 20, 2024|refname="rianz"}} {{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Portugal|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Gold|relyear=2006|certyear=2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120020223/http://artistas-espectaculos.com/topafp/pt/200645.htm |archive-date=November 20, 2010 |id=200645}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Russia|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Platinum|number=2|type=album|certyear=2006|relyear=2006|relmonth=09}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2006}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Platinum|note=Wind-Up Records|type=album|id=10704-2081-2|refname=BPI|access-date=August 23, 2011|salesamount=356,803|salesref=<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/amy-lee-on-evanescence-s-first-all-new-album-in-a-decade-moving-beyond-the-rock-n-roll-boys-club/082920 |title=Amy Lee on Evanescence's first all-new album in a decade & moving beyond the "rock'n'roll boys' club" |work=Music Week |date=March 26, 2021 |access-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Silver|note=Craft Recordings|type=album|relyear=2015|certyear=2022|id=10704-2081-2|access-date=September 27, 2022|certref=<ref name=BPI/>}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Platinum|type=album|number=2|salesamount=2,100,000|salesref=<ref name=Soundscan>{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/evanescence-s-new-album-projected-to-sell-110k-120k-first-week/ |title=EVANESCENCE's New Album Projected To Sell 110K-120K First Week |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=October 12, 2011 |access-date=May 9, 2017}}</ref>}} {{Certification Table Summary}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|artist=Evanescence|title=The Open Door|award=Platinum|type=album|certyear=2006}} {{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
==Release history== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders unsortable" |+ Release dates and formats for ''The Open Door'' ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label |- ! scope="row"| Poland<ref name="polrelease" /> | September 25, 2006 | rowspan="7"| {{hlist|CD|digital download}} | Wind-up |- ! scope="row"| Japan<ref name="jprelease" /><ref name="cdj668">{{cite web |url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=EICP-668 |title=The Open Door |website=CDJapan |access-date=September 19, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011165042/http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=EICP-668 |archive-date=October 11, 2007}}</ref> | September 27, 2006 | EMI Music Japan |- ! scope="row"| Germany<ref name="gerrelease" /> | rowspan="2"| September 29, 2006 | rowspan="5"| Wind-up |- ! scope="row"| Ireland |- ! scope="row"| Australia<ref name="ausrelease" /> | September 30, 2006 |- ! scope="row"| Canada<ref name="canadarelease">{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000IAZ6U6 |title=The Open Door: Evanescence: Music |website=Amazon |location=Canada |access-date=October 26, 2011}}</ref> | rowspan="2"| October 3, 2006 |- ! scope="row"| United States<ref name="usrelease">{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FTWB7G |title=The Open Door: Evanescence: Music |website=Amazon |location=United States |access-date=November 8, 2011}}</ref><ref name="usitrelease">{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-open-door/888172775 |title=The Open Door by Evanescence |website=iTunes Store |location=United States |access-date=April 30, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413152258/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-open-door/id888172775 |archive-date=April 13, 2016}}</ref> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Evanescence}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Open Door, The}} Category:2006 albums Category:Albums produced by Dave Fortman Category:Evanescence albums Category:Alternative metal albums by American artists Category:Industrial rock albums Category:Gothic metal albums by American artists Category:Gothic rock albums by American artists Category:Symphonic metal albums by American artists Category:Wind-up Records albums