​Amy Lee, the renowned vocalist of Evanescence, has long held a deep affection for video games, particularly The Legend of Zelda series. Growing up in the 1980s, she experienced the evolution of gaming firsthand, starting with Atari titles like Pong and Toobin’. The introduction of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) into her household marked a pivotal moment, especially with the release of Super Mario Bros. 3. However, it was The Legend of Zelda series that truly captured her heart. Amy and her younger siblings became enamored with Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo 64, followed by Majora’s Mask. Her passion for the franchise continued into recent years with Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, which she enjoyed alongside her ten-year-old son, integrating gaming into her daily relaxation routine.

Amy’s musical journey has also intertwined with the gaming world. She was honored to contribute to the Gears 5 soundtrack by recording a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain.” The project began with her involvement in the game’s trailer and expanded into a full-length version of the song, showcasing her enthusiasm for blending music with interactive entertainment. ​

In a recent collaboration, Amy recorded the track “Afterlife” for the Devil May Cry anime series on Netflix. This opportunity allowed her to delve into the series’ dark and intense themes, resonating with her musical style. Amy immersed herself in the project, dedicating nights to binge-watching the series to fully capture its essence in her music. She expressed immense satisfaction with how “Afterlife” was integrated into a particularly significant episode, feeling honored by the producers’ use of her song.

Through these endeavors, Amy Lee continues to bridge her musical talents with her gaming passions, enriching both realms with her distinctive artistry.​

Retro Gamer: What kinds of games did you grow up playing? Do you have any particular favourites?

RG: When did you first encounter Devil May Cry, and what did you make of it?

I’ve never played the game – I don’t know if you should tell anybody that! But I was aware of the game, I’d seen the artwork, I’d actually seen some gameplay, but really I have been introduced to this world through this project. Netflix approached me along with Mako [Alex Seaver], who I co-wrote the song with, and I got to watch the whole first season of the show before it was totally finished. Right away, I was hooked on it and binging it every night, and I feel like the visual possibilities of anime are something else that’s always appealed to me a lot. It’s just one of those things where anything is possible.

RG: Tell us a little about the new song, Afterlife, and how it fits into the show.

It’s the first thing that we’ve put out in a couple of years, so that’s exciting. It’s different for us – the beautiful way that it starts, that mood and that vibe all really came from Mako and the show. But I see myself in that. I know what to do here. I think it’s just a killer rock song – I feel like it expresses both the pain, the scars of someone who’s been through a lot, but also standing in resolve, unafraid because you know you have nothing left to lose, and you’re ready to just give it all you got. I couldn’t be more flattered and happy with how they used it. I can’t give it away, but it’s a very special episode.

This feature originally appeared in Retro Gamer magazine.

Sources

Original Source: GamesRadar+
Source: EncyClopika Tumblr
Original Source: The Gauntlet