ALBUM REVIEW: Breaking Benjamin - Ember

On Friday, April 13, 2018, the masses of Breaking Benjamin fans who have not taken advantage of dirty Internet leakers and have waited, respectfully, for the album’s release will get what they have been salivating for: Ember. It’s safe to say that for fans of the band and its sound, this album will not disappoint.

From start to finish, fans will be able to recognize this as a solid Breaking Benjamin album. With lead vocalist, Ben Burnley, at the helm, one can expect nothing less. The unexpected, and very welcome, addition of Aaron Bruch (bass) and Keith Wallen (guitar) on vocals leads to a nice layering of sound not seen before on previous albums. Even though both Bruch and Wallen have lent their voices to songs on previous release, Dark Before Dawn, and in their live performances, their vocal presence on this album is strong. And this is for good reason. Burnley himself has said,

“if I didn’t let them sing, it would just be talent wasted because they’re just phenomenal singers. I don’t feel it’s for any other reason except that they are incredible vocalists that need to be shared with the world. And I’m really, really, really excited for them and for the band and what directions we can go in having multiple vocalists. Sometimes they sing, believe it or not, they sing better than me!”

It isn’t just the vocals that rip; the band plays stronger together on this album than they have before. This is due, in large part, to the fact that they’ve toured their asses off and have had lots of time to figure each other out. This is one of the best produced albums that Breaking Benjamin has put out, and the consistency from one song to the next, not only instrumentally and vocally, but thematically as well, is strong.

The band released five singles for the album ahead of its release date, which seemed a bit excessive (honestly, it was like they wanted us to have the entire Ember before release date, as five tracks is damn near close to half the album). However, those tracks definitely worked in terms of getting listeners ready for what was to come, including “Psycho”, “Save Yourself”, and”Red Cold River.”

This album is definitely heavier than previous releases, but fans of the band’s entire catalog will not feel that Ember brings anything new to the table in terms of sound. There is no reinvention of the wheel, here, which is fine if you’re good with it. Fans of the band are fans of their sound, and to move too far away from what works for them would be stupid, honestly. They know what works, what sells, and this album definitely works and will sell, for sure, likely better than their last release, which debuted at number one on the Billboard charts. So, if you’re looking for a big change in sound, a la Underoath’s latest release, you’re not going to get it here.

That is not to say the album isn’t good. It definitely is. It’s a strong showing from Breaking Benjamin. Between the customary instrumental intro, “Lyra” and the melodic outro, “Vega,” the band lays down ten tracks, ambiguous in meaning, allowing for the listener to take away whatever she or he may fancy. Tracks like “Feed The Wolf” and “Torn In Two” hit hardest, while “Dark of You” (one of my personal favorite tracks from Ember, if not from the band at large) remind listeners that as hard and sharp as their edges can be, they can soften those edges as well. It is this balance between the screams and the whispers that Breaking Benjamin excels at. And, it’s one of their most redeeming musical qualities.

Ember may not be a huge turn in a different direction for the band, but it’s a good album in and of itself. While it is natural to compare one album to the next, it doesn’t do individual albums justice. Ember is definitely heavier in sound and seems to be more produced, more cohesive, and stronger in showing than its predecessor. When listening to both albums back to back, it’s almost as if Ember picks up where Dark Before Dawn left off. Whether or not that was the band’s intention, the similarities between the two make it seem like one album could bleed into the next, almost seamlessly. In all, the band didn’t “Blow Me Away,” with Ember. However, they lit a little fire inside of me for sure. And, to end with the cheesiest line I could come up with while listening, I will say that, “Ember smolders.”