Evanescence Finally Scores Its First No. 1 On One Billboard Chart

After several years of quiet, Evanescence returned in 2025 with the song “Afterlife” last spring. The hard rockers delivered the tune, which was written and recorded for the animated series Devil May Cry, and the cut became a hit on some of Billboard‘s rock rankings.

“Afterlife” is set to be featured on Evanescence’s upcoming album Sanctuary, which is expected to drop in mid-June. While “Afterlife” will be included on the project’s track list, the first big single exclusively from the set is “Who Will You Follow,” which dropped a little more than a week ago.

This frame, “Who Will You Follow” debuts on more than half a dozen rankings published by Billboard, and it earns the Grammy-winning outfit its first leader on one tally.

Evanescence’s “Who Will You Follow” Debuts at No. 1

On this week’s Hot Hard Rock Songs chart, Evanescence finally makes it to No. 1. Despite being one of the most famous names in the subgenre for decades, the musicians had somehow never conquered the list of the most-consumed hard rock tracks in the United States. “Who Will You Follow” debuts in the top spot.

Evanescence Finally Reaches No. 1

Evanescence collects its seventh career placement on the Hot Hard Rock Songs chart and fifth top 10 as “Who Will You Follow” arrives. The new single beats the frustrating No. 2 peak of both “The Game Is Over” and “Bring Me to Life.” That latter track, which also credits Paul McCoy, helped Evanescence break out and land an extremely rare hard rock smash that crossed over to pop radio.

“Who Will You Follow” even outpaces the No. 4 high of “Afterlife,” as well as the No. 9 peak that “Use My Voice” established more than half a decade ago.

Evanescence’s “Who Will You Follow” Leads a Busy Week

Evanescence appears at No. 1 on the Hot Hard Rock Songs chart, but this week, the tally really belongs to soloist Bilmuri. He fills nine spaces on the tally this frame, as multiple tunes from his new album Kind of Hard Launch appear. “Always Let You Down,” a team-up with A Day to Remember, returns to the top 10, shooting from No. 15 to No. 6. Previous singles “More Than Hate” and “Hard to Tell” also return, while half a dozen tracks debut.

“Who Will You Follow” Tops Two Billboard Tallies

“Who Will You Follow” manages a No. 1 launch on two tallies in the U.S. In addition to the Hot Hard Rock Songs chart, a consumption-based roster, the track also immediately leads the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales ranking. It becomes the band’s sixth leader, joining “Bring Me to Life,” “What You Want,” “Wasted on You,” “The Game Is Over,” and “Fight Like a Girl.” That last cut, a collaboration with K.Flay, opened at No. 1 less than a year ago, in June 2025.

“Who Will You Follow” Opens Inside the Top 10

Evanescence’s latest single narrowly misses out on becoming a champion on two additional related rosters, where it does manage a top 10 start. “Who Will You Follow” misses the summit on the Alternative Digital Song Sales chart by just one space, blocked from the top spot by Tame Impala and Jennie’s “Dracula,” which is steady at No. 1.

“Who Will You Follow” is new at No. 3 on the Rock Digital Song Sales rundown. It seems that purchases ensured that the latest from Evanescence became a major win right out of the gate.

Evanescence Ups Its Number of Rock and Alternative Hits

Evanescence has collected two No. 1s on the Alternative Digital Song Sales chart, and just as many runners-up. The rock outfit has fared slightly better on the Rock Digital Song Sales list, where “Bring Me to Life,” “The Game Is Over,” and “The Chain” all spent at least one frame running the show. “Who Will You Follow” ties “Wasted on You” by peaking at No. 3, and so far, no tracks by the band have stalled at No. 2.

“Who Will You Follow” Debuts Across the Billboard Charts

Altogether, “Who Will You Follow” debuts on eight Billboard charts, and it’s a top 10 success on half of them. The cut becomes a quick radio win, launching on the Rock & Alternative Airplay (No. 19) and Mainstream Rock Airplay (No. 23) tallies. The song marks Evanescence’s milestone tenth bestseller on the Digital Song Sales chart. At the same time, it narrowly enters the top 40 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs register, where it begins its time at No. 37.

ForbesEvanescence Blocked From A No. 1 Hit By One Of Rock’s Biggest BandsBy Hugh McIntyre