Cringey Rap Part of Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life” Missing in Newly Released Demo Version

If you were around during the early 2000s, there was a time when the biggest song out on the radio was Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life.” The song became monolithic for a time period normally dominated by butt rock and nu-metal, equally propelled by Amy Lee’s soaring vocals and dragged down by the just cringe-worthy rap/screaming bits done by 12 Stones’ Paul McCoy. Yes, that guy had a name.

If you were in high school back in 2003, then you likely had the unfortunate pleasure of having female friends that loved that song so much they’d go to the local karaoke night to exclusively sing that tune. And without fail, they’d drag some overzealous wannabe Fred Durst or Jacoby Shaddix fella to handle the other half of the song and just…fuck it up. It’s an undeniably terrible addition to the song and I’ve already said too much about it.

With the 20th anniversary edition of Fallen slated for release on November 17, the band released a demo version of that hit song, giving the world a glimpse into what could have been. Gone is the horrifically dated rap part. No shitty scream parts over the song. It’s just the song in its original form and honestly, it’s alright as a rock song. They also dropped the remastered version of the song we actually got, though we can skip that for now.

As for the 20th anniversary release of Fallen, that version will feature a completely remastered version of Evanescence’s 10 times platinum debut release. It will also include unreleased demos like the one I just described, live recordings, and b-sides, as well as a handwritten foreword written by Lee.

“20 years later, this album has never meant more. ‘Fallen‘ has been the soundtrack to first loves, epic heartbreak, self-realization, wedding days, last goodbyes, friendships, and countless other moments in so many lives…not to mention my own. I am forever humbled and grateful to be a part of it.”