Since last week's Entertainment Weekly interview with Evanescence and the subsequent letter sent out by Wind-Up Records president Alan Meltzer to Christian stores, radio, and charts recalling the band's products, industry reactions have been quick and decisive.

When news of the EW article and Meltzer's letter first broke, Evanescence' own message board at the band's web site was swiftly (and wisely) taken down, although Wind-Up has made no further statements on the issue. On our own Forum, the debate has been raging hard for nearly a week now, and has even included comments from Chris Willman, the journalist who wrote the EW article.

Billboard, Rolling Stone, Chart Attack, MTV.com, and Launch Yahoo have all published stories on the issue. Entertainment Weekly itself has published the entire original article online this week (although a subscription is required to access it).

Some Christian companies have already taken official stands on the matter, such as CCM Magazine and Radio U, both of whom have chosen not to offer any further coverage of Evanescence. Others have discreetly removed Evanescence and its music from their shelves, play lists, or coverage.

Meanwhile, Fallen was reportedly certified gold recently, and sales numbers on the album continue to climb this week.

Everyone keeps asking what CMCentral's official stand is on Evanescence. There are no easy answers.

For starters, there is ample evidence on record that band leaders Amy Lee and Ben Miles were once unashamed to discuss their Christian beliefs and how it is incorporated into their music. There's also evidence that Evanescence did indeed agree to be marketed to the Christian Music marketplace before Fallen was released, despite their assertions to the contrary, even performing at a Christian Music industry showcase held by Provident Distribution late last year. And despite Lee's vague dismissals of the lyrics on Fallen, there are many obvious spiritual references on the album. That Wind-Up Records was caught as off-guard by all of this as everyone else is further proof that the band has always been regarded as at least somewhat faith-based. The fact that the band is now flip-flopping on the issue, going to such extremes to distance themselves from Christian Music, is frustrating and confusing, to say the least.

Also unsettling is the band members' casual use of language that most Christians consider offensive, even sinful. Whether it was arbitrarily interjected into this one interview for effect, or it is common enough on their hearts and minds to come out in normal conversation, is still unknown. (Although it does seem odd that no prior articles exist that document them swearing or cursing.) On the other hand, I've met plenty of Christians who have no problem whatsoever with swearing -- I've even interviewed Christian artists from our own industry who engage in the practice. Despite how some of us may feel about swearing (personally, I've always considered it a lazy tool of an inarticulate mind, at best), I must agree with Mr. Willman's sentiments that just because Lee and Miles engage in behavior that some of us cannot condone, that does not automatically negate their faith.

This entire issue is raising some very important questions that, as believers become more and more prominent in mainstream music, will have to be addressed.

As far as CMCentral's stand goes, it goes like this. We will continue, at least for now, to post News reports and other pertinent information about Evanescence. This news is still fairly new and the ramifications are only just beginning to be made known. Beyond that, reporting on artists of faith who may or may not fall under more conservative guidelines of Christianity is, frankly, nothing new for us. And we appreciate the leeway our readers allow us in reporting on these more controversial figures (such as U2, Michelle Branch, etc.).

However, we must ask for your patience and understanding as this is a difficult and potentially sticky situation, and we pledge to handle these instances with the highest level of integrity. We would also remind our readers that coverage of a specific artist by CMCentral.com does not automatically equate to endorsement of that artist. We cover the topics and artists that we believe our readers are interested in knowing more about. The Chart®, however, has removed Evanescence's music from rotation, because Wind-Up Records specifically included Christian charts in its recall request.

But at least for now, we are taking a "wait & see" approach, still hoping that the truth will come to light on this matter. And if it does, you can count on CMCentral.com to bring it to you.