Perseverance is often the key ingredient that separates those who succeed from those who don’t. It’s that ability to dig deep and keep on pushing through all the ups and downs and no matter what bullshit life throws your way. For Benjamin Burnley, the last six years have been a battle but he is coming out on top with an all new Breaking Benjamin album “Dark Before Dawn” that has already hit number one.
After a long hiatus due to legal issues with former members of the band and an ongoing undiagnosed illness that leaves him in a state of constant pain, Burnley has reformed the band with new members and has released a solid new record that fans have clearly been waiting for. “Dark Before Dawn” continues where 2009’s “Dear Agony” left off. The spoken words of the instrumental “Dark” open things up before kicking into the single “Failure,” a true to form classic Breaking Benjamin song. Burnley’s vocals sound in great shape and the band plays as though they have been together forever. The new guitar duo of Keith Wallen and Jasen Rauch along with the rhythm section of bassist Aaron Bruch and drummer Shawn Foist are a welcome addition. The heavier riffs of “Breaking The Silence” and “Bury Me Alive” are standouts and the slower meanderings of “Ashes of Eden” are both beautiful and poignant. The instrumental track “Dawn” closes the album thus bringing the cycle full circle.
With “Dark Before Dawn” Burnley proves that despite the long wait, he hasn’t missed a step. The record is full of quality songs, crunching riffs, and catchy choruses and is just what Breaking Benjamin fans have been hoping for.
