Breaking Benjamin @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ
Breaking Benjamin with Chevelle, Three Days Grace and Dorothy
Photos & review courtesy of Ana Santos | July 31 2019
Currently on tour in support of Ember, Breaking Benjamin swept through NJ’s PNC Bank Arts Center on Wednesday, July 31st. With a tour ticket stacked with incredible supporting bands – Diamante, Dorothy, Three Days Grace and Chevelle – it is no wonder that energy was high and voices loud throughout the night.
From Dorothy’s soaring blues vocals, to Three Days Grace’s raucous rock n’ roll energy and Chevelle’s flawless alternative edge, Breaking Benjamin easily absorbed the audience’s fervor and shot it back with unwavering showmanship. Kicking things off with “Red Cold River,” “I Will Not Bow” and “Never Again,” the band took a short breather to invite a number of young rock n’ roll initiates on stage. When the number of children almost outnumbered the number of VIP pass holders on stage, the band continued with a bombastic 17-track set including a badass medley featuring everything from Star Wars to Nirvana to Metallica.
It’s been my experience over recent years that a Breaking Benjamin show is consistently solid and once again they did not disappoint. This tour’s outstandingly strong support made the long night that much more worth it.
Chevelle
Three Days Grace
Dorothy
Breaking Benjamin @ The National, Richmond, VA
Photos and summary courtesy of Annette Holloway Photography | 25 April 2018
Breaking Benjamin unleashed many of their beloved classics to a crowd ready to rock at The National in Richmond, Virginia April 25, 2018. However, the heavy hits on their newly released album, Ember, sent the crowd into a psycho frenzy with tantalizing guitar riffs fed with the impressive drumming of Shaun Foist. The mix proved true to Breaking Benjamin's roots, but added an edgy excitement with the darker sound of Ember.
Breaking Benjamin // Richmond, VA
Breaking Benjamin -- The National | Richmond, VA | 4 May 2017
Photos Courtesy of: Annette Holloway
As soon as Breaking Benjamin took the stage with the capacity crowd at The National, the adoration of Richmond, Virginia fans filled the iconic, historic scene. The artist’s opening hit song “So Cold,” from the 2004 album You are Not Alone, made the faithful feel alive in an instant. Next, the beloved Benjamin dove into his latest work, “Dark Before Dawn,” with the song “Angels Fall.” It was clear with this 2015 album that he boldly refused to leave his signature mix of hard rock, alternative metal and post-grunge, and continued in 2017 to blow away audiences in sold out shows across the country.
With this masterful comeback in recent years, frontman Benjamin Burnley fortified his powerful live performances with guitarists Jasen Rauch, Keith Wallen and bassist Aaron Bruch. As if that weren’t enough, Keith Wallen and Aaron Bruch added depth to the mix with both solo and backup vocals. Shaun Foist’s adrenaline on drums pulled it all together in Richmond with fun and finesse, even when he whipped out his phone to take a selfie.
With an obvious affection for the audience, Benjamin took time during the show to express his appreciation as if talking to a friend. Perhaps the relationship between him and his faithful following could be summed up with lyrics from “Ashes of Eden.” “Are you with me after all? …. stay don’t let me go, until the Ashes of Eden fall. “
