It’s been a long 5 years, but Breaking Benjamin is back with a new album, “Dark Before Dawn,” which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200; no small feat for any rock band, as we all know. It’s been 8 years since the band played a full electric set in the area, thus fans were clamoring to see them, and the Agri Center in Hamburg, NY was jammed with over 3,500 people. It’s also worth noting, it’s been over 5 years since any rock show has played this particular venue.
Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Ben Brunley is the only original member that remains. However, he has surrounded himself with an entirely new band that consists of Shaun Foist on drums, Aaron Bruch on bass, Jasen Rauch on lead guitar and Keith Wallen (formerly of Adelitas Way) on guitar.
The guys started things off on the right foot by playing one of their biggest hits, “So Cold.” It set the mood for the rest of the evening. It wasn’t just Brunley front and center as he let the rest of the band share in the spotlight at various times of the evening. Bruch took the vocals on the Tool cover “Enema,” whereas Wallen took the vocals on the Queen cover, “Who Wants to Live Forever.”
Brunley had all of the lights turned off in the building and had the audience hold up their cell phones. He said “You are our light, our guidance. You direct us.” This statement showed how much they put their trust in their fans, and the fans back onto them. The band delivered in a big away. They came out throwing lots of guitar picks into the audience and constantly addressed the crowd throughout their performance.
With their 23 song set, it was surprising that they only played a few tracks off of the new disc. Those were “Angels Fall” and “Failure.” They stuck to their past catalog for the most part. Maybe with the band just getting their wings, they are easing the new songs into their set perhaps? Nevertheless, they sounded tight and I’m sure with time more songs from “Dark Before Dawn” will be forthcoming.
The band is extending the tour and will be on the road for the foreseeable future, so go check them out!
Setlist:
So Cold
Follow
Angels Fall
Break My Fall
Unknown Soldier
Who Wants to Live Forever (Queen cover)
Blow Me Away
Failure
Breath
Phase
Away
Ænema (Tool cover)
Shallow Bay
Give Me a Sign
Polyamorous
Imperial March (From the movie Star Wars) / Schism (Tool cover) / Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana cover) / Walk (Pantera cover) medley Evil Angel
Until the End
I Will Not Bow
Encore:
Dance with the Devil
Lights Out
The Diary of Jane
We would like to thank Crystal A. Blount from Hollywood Records Publicity for the credentials to cover the show. Stay tuned an interview with Ben Burnley conducted after their show.
