As has been reported by Loudwire, with help from the Mike James Rock Show, the guys in Breaking Benjamin have confirmed that they have completed recording their sixth studio album. And now, it’s in the label’s hands for eventual release. This news, as well as the announcement that tour dates are to be released soon, is music to the ears of the legions of the band’s fans from around the world.
The band’s frontman, Ben Burnley, has been quoted as saying the album (the title of which is not released at the time of writing) is “aggressive” in its sound. Is this album – their final album contractually committed to current label, Hollywood Records – going to be a return to the decidedly aggressive and driving sound and tonality of 2002, Saturate-era Breaking Benjamin? (Selfishly, this writer certainly hopes so!)
Saturate was the band’s debut album, and as a debut, it was raw, hard-hitting, and commanding – a true standout for a band that very few people had heard of until it hit MTV (back when MTV played music!). Now that the band has two more vocalists – Aaron Bruch and Keith Wallen – the hard, gritty vocal styling in songs like “Wish I May,” “Phase,” and “Sugarcoat” could become even more aggressive and able to be replicated than it once was.
Adding the string skills of Aaron Bruch, Keith Wallen, and Jasen Rauch and the driving drums of Shaun Foist to the man in front, Ben Burnley on both guitar and vocals, this is sure to be a record unlike we have ever seen from the band. Will they end their tenure with Hollywood Records with the same power and dynamic force that they entered into it? What can fans expect from number six? Everyone has their theories, but only time, and patience until the release, will tell.
As the follow up to Dark Before Dawn in 2015, which was the first album for the band to debut at Number One on the Billboard charts, this album has high expectations for it from the fans and the band alike. After all, it’s not often a band can accomplish a top-ranking album six years after their last release, 2011’s Dear Agony. We will bring you the latest as it comes out from the hardrock powerhouse that is Breaking Benjamin.
Until then, hold tight, fans. New music is coming.
