Season 7 finalist Carly Smithson is joining the Fallen, a band made up of Evanescence group members. Since coming in sixth place on Idol, Carly has received offers for a solo pop career, but that isn't what Carly wanted. Brian Moody, the lead guitarist and co-songwriter of Evanescence who has since worked with Chris Daughtry and Kelly Clarkson, had approached fellow Evanescence members Rocky Gray and John Lecompt, and non-Evanescence musician Marty O'Brian, and everyone wanted to start a band that picked up where Evanescence left off. The next stop for the group was to find a lead singer that could take Amy Lee's place. They searched high and low and flew across the country to audition people, but they never came across the right person.

Brian's housemate was friends with Carly Smithson, so he had her come over to the house to discuss the possibility of fronting the band. As you may know, Carly Smithson sang Evanescence's "Bring Me To Life" on the American Idol 2008 Tour, and received much praise for her rock vocals. Coincidentally, "Bring Me To Life" was the song that the group was using to audition lead singers. Brian watched this performance online and realized Carly was exactly what the band needed. The band, now called the Fallen, explained their vision to Carly- they plan to perform hard rock music in theater venues, and have some theatrical Cirque du Soleil type of elements in their performance. Carly was on board and the rest is history!

This Monday, the Fallen will release their first song for free download on their website, www.wearethefallen.com. The Fallen's plan is to play a bunch of theater venues, and stop every eight weeks or so to release two recordings online. By the end of the year, a CD will have formed, but they don't want to take time out of touring and meeting fans to be in the studio.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Carly said, "I am so glad I held out for the right opportunity and the right moment. These guys make the most amazing music and it just all fell together. It's great."

We wish Carly and the Fallen the best of luck.

View photos of Carly singing "Bring Me To Life" on the American Idol 2008 Summer Tour.

Read the Los Angeles Times article, here.