March 17th is a date that is typically associated with corned beef and cabbage, green beer, and mischievous imp-like fairies, but for the nearly 1,400 Portlanders that were lucky enough to score tickets to the sold-out Roseland Theater, it meant something else entirely. For 2016, it would be remembered as the day that Breaking Benjamin and Starset blurred the boundary between science fiction and gut-wrenching rock ‘n’ roll. I arrived at the Roseland Theater just about 20 minutes before show time, and the Breaking Benjamin faithful were still filing their way into the venue.  Once I had secured my press credentials and made my way inside, I made a beeline for the merchandise table. I believe in supporting the artists and felt that my wardrobe could certainly use a new Breaking Benjamin tour shirt. The merch table had the usual swag: sweatshirts, hats, beanies, and t-shirts. In addition, there were copies of the new album, Dark Before Dawn, which, when purchased, would entitle the owner to the opportunity to meet the band and get autographs after the gig. There were also autographed drumsticks and an autographed guitar (which would also entitle the owner and five friends to a meet-and-greet). I was so enamored with the merchandise that I nearly forgot what I was there for.
As Starset took the stage and the lights went down, I squeezed my way through the packed crowd to get up front to capture the pictures from the show, to bring to you, the fans and readers. Lead singer Dustin Bates stood front and center behind an enormous electronic touchscreen device. Ron DeChant on the bass, Brock Richards on guitar, and Adam Gilbert on drums were each at their respective instruments, with their unique space masks illuminated and at the ready. They opened with “First Light”, and I had my first hard rock/EDM fusion experience. Dustin worked his synth device like a digital virtuoso while Brock and Ron played alongside, head banging and miraculously keeping their helmets secured. After all was said and done, Starset had performed a nine-song set, closing with “My Demons”.
Breaking Benjamin took the stage to “So Cold”. As the bass line and drum beat built up to the opening riff, the crowd began to jump, and it was ON in Portland. Benjamin Burnley, lead singer and namesake for the band, demonstrated his mastery of the microphone, and his stage presence made me feel like we were all up on stage with him. Shaun Foist rocked the drum kit, with Aaron Bruch on bass, Keith Wallen on rhythm guitar, and Jasen Rauch playing lead guitar. Just before the sixth song of the night, Benjamin made a very heartfelt dedication to the men and women of our armed services, thanking them for their sacrifice which gives us the freedom to make the choices we get to make. It was a very touching sentiment before playing “Unknown Soldier”. Throughout the evening, the microphone was passed along to allow Keith and Aaron both to demonstrate their vocal chops. Approximately midway through the set, the house lights all went out, and the kick drum started pounding. Benjamin began to explain that there was a monumental event that happened at the end of 2015 that we simply had to recognize. He then switched on his red light saber, dedicating the following song to Kylo Ren of the most recent Star Wars film. The band then played the Star Wars “Imperial March”, which morphed into “Schism” by Tool, then “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana, and finally “Walk” by Pantera. For “Breath”, Dustin Bates of Starset (along with a ton of Portland friends) helped belt out the chorus. Despite our lack of harmony, the song was still incredibly beautiful. Overall, Breaking Benjamin played an eighteen-song set, finishing out with a single encore, “I Will Not Bow”.
Unfortunately, I was not able to hear “Dear Agony” on this go-round, but I’m hopeful it will make the set list some time this year. Starset will be playing RockUSA in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in July and are currently heading to the studio, no doubt to bring us an amazing new album to follow up on their current release, Transmissions. Breaking Benjamin will be hitting up venues on their own, playing a mix of acoustic shows and festivals until the end of May. In May, they head overseas for their first ever trip to Europe, lasting from the end of May until the end of June. Then, in July, they head back home to team up with Disturbed, Alter Bridge, and Saint Asonia for another trip around the country. Breaking Benjamin should be on your must-see concert list this year.
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