Sanctuary set for June 5, 2026 — Evanescence announces album release date

Evanescence has set June 5, 2026, as the release date for “Sanctuary,” the band’s next studio album, according to the group’s official website. The announcement was paired with the single “Who Will You Follow,” which the site says went up for presave on April 10. (evanescence.com) The album will arrive on digital and CD first, the band said on its homepage. Fan reaction on May 22 has centered not only on the new record, but also on the group’s standing as a live act, with posts on X and other platforms resurfacing concert memories and ranking Evanescence among top live bands. (loudwire.com) ### When did Evanescence actually announce the album date? (loudwire.com) April 10 was the formal rollout date for the album campaign, according to Evanescence’s official site and multiple music outlets covering the release. The band’s homepage says “Sanctuary” arrives June 5 and ties that announcement directly to the release of “Who Will You Follow.” Loudwire reported on April 9 that the band revealed the album ahead of the single’s U.S. release at midnight Eastern time. That outlet said the album would be released through BMG, and described “Who Will You Follow” as the record’s lead single. (evanescence.com) ### What has Amy Lee said about the record? Amy Lee said the album was “over three years in the making,” according to coverage of the announcement that quoted the band’s social media statement. Loudwire reported Lee and the band said they were “so damn proud of every second of it.” (evanescence.com) Kerrang, in an April interview excerpt surfaced in search results, said “Sanctuary” had long been planned for release in time for the band’s summer world tour. Other recent interviews summarized in music press described Lee linking the album to the current climate and to a search for hope and connection, though those interpretations were presented in those interviews as Lee’s own framing. (loudwire.com) ### Why are fans talking about old live shows at the same time? May 22 social chatter around Evanescence has mixed the album rollout with fan memories of the band’s concert history. (loudwire.com) The social briefing provided for this story cited posts about live experiences, including one that placed Evanescence in a user’s top 10 live acts and another that pointed to the band’s São Paulo Allianz Parque sellout as a milestone moment. Independent music coverage tied to the current album campaign has also pointed back to São Paulo. A May 15 report on the “Who Will You Follow” video said a deluxe CD edition would include a “Live in Sao Paolo Concert” and a documentary from the band’s 2023 South America tour. (kerrang.com) ### Can the Allianz Parque claim be verified from current primary sources? Current primary-source verification is limited. Allianz Parque’s current public event pages surfaced in search do not show a fresh Evanescence listing tied to the recent fan posts, and the official venue pages available in search results focus on other 2026 events. (harddriveradio.com) Older coverage does document the venue’s place in Evanescence’s Brazil history. Archived reports from 2023 said strong demand prompted the São Paulo show to move to Allianz Parque, with additional tickets released after the venue change. (jacemediamusic.com) Those reports support the venue association, but they do not independently verify the newer fan phrasing about a “historic sell-out.” ### What happens next in the rollout? June 5 is the next release milestone for “Sanctuary,” with digital and CD formats due that day, according to the band’s website. (allianzparque.com.br) A later vinyl release has been reported by music outlets covering the announcement, though the official homepage snippet visible in search mentions only the June 5 digital and CD date. June 11 is the next live date attached to the album cycle. Live Nation and music outlets said Evanescence’s 2026 world tour opens in West Palm Beach, Florida, with Spiritbox and Nova Twins supporting on the North American leg. (newsroom.livenation.com) (evanescence.com) (beatforbeat.com.br)