Evanescence

Like many bands born of the late-’90s nu-metal boom, Evanescence built their empire atop a foundation of grinding riffage and anguished lyrics.

But the Little Rock, Arkansas, group had something none of their peers had: the voice of Amy Lee.

Not only was the singer/pianist a rare female presence in a genre dominated by dudes, her chandelier-rattling vocals infused their aggressive attack with a breathtaking gothic grandeur.