For the first time in over 5 years, Breaking Benjamin has released new music. Their latest new studio album was released on April 13, 2018. In the time from then until now, Breaking Benjamin has mainly been on multiple tours and hasn’t really released new music. In January of 2020, they released Aurora, their reimagined/acoustic album. This was a collection of tracks they “redid” plus one new song, Far Away, featuring Scooter Ward of the band Cold. This track was released as a single in 2019.
The standalone new song was well done but knowing it was the only new song we would get from the band left fans feeling unsatisfied. Furthermore, the album fell short due to not changing the vocal tracks, but just the instruments. It made the songs feel redundant and anything but new.
Later that year in July, the band recorded a cover of the Goo Goo Dolls song, Iris, with artists DIAMANTE. While like their previous song, it was very well done. However, this also left fans, including myself, wanting more. It was great, but it was just a cover, and no new music seemed to be on the horizon for the band.
In 2022 Breaking Benjamin released a standalone single, a collaboration with STARSET and Judge & Jury, Waiting On The Sky To Change. This track sticks to the same theme of the earlier songs. It was good, but it wasn’t just Breaking Benjamin, it was a collaboration with other bands and didn’t show any signs of new music leading to a new album for the band.
A cryptic message was posted on social media, giving a tease to fans about the date 10/16. Today is that date and their new single “Awaken” has been released. Now it is still unsure if this is a standalone single or to be a part of a new upcoming album. However, the band has made its only record label change in their over 20 years of existence. It would be hard to believe they signed a new deal just to not release any new music.
The band has talked about their future saying that “working on these new songs has been a fresh experience for all of us,” Breaking Benjamin states. “We’ve stayed true to the core of who Breaking Benjamin is, but we’ve also pushed ourselves creatively, exploring new sounds and ideas that we haven’t tapped into before.” This quote also gives fans hope that new music is finally coming.
With that being said, here are my first thoughts on Breaking Benjamin’s new single “Awaken”.
Going back to the bands earlier quote, this song showcases the “new sounds” and “ideas” while also staying true to their original sound and what fans love so much about them.
This single has a darker overall tone and atmosphere, especially in the versus. The chorus is soaring, contains catchy melodies and ends with a harsh vocal and heavy guitars. This template can be seen in their earlier tracks like Never Again, Failure, Torn in Two, and Close Your Eyes.
However, it isn’t just a simple copy and paste from these songs. The guitar tuning is heavier, and Ben’s vocals have that heavy growl while also showcasing his highs when he sings. The final chorus is like a finale or an encore to the song and turns a great chorus into something spectacular. They take what has worked so well for them in the past and built and evolved from that.
It’s extremely difficult for a band to be relevant for as long as they are. Especially when some of their best music is their most recent. They can walk the fine line of not selling out, not just creating the same music or changing their sound entirely. The band found a way to evolve and get better. This was what many fans have been patiently waiting for. This single gives hope to listeners, not just that Breaking Benjamin is releasing music again, but that they’re best music might just be on the horizon.
Overall, this is a really good song. Longtime fans and new listeners alike will find many reasons to like this song. It’s catchy, its heavy, its really good. My only issue is that it’s been so long since new Breaking Benjamin has released music, and fans and myself included were starving for it. I have been listening to this song on repeat. I’ve listened to it maybe a dozen times already in the first twelve hours of release, and I’m scared I’m going to overplay it. However, if that’s the worst thing I can come up with for this new single, I think that’s a good sign.
overall Song Ranking: 8.7/10
Lyrics
[Intro]
Burn!
[Verse 1]
So far away, I’m dead awoken
And I’m faded out of breath
Life falls to grey, hope of the hopeless
And I pray without a prayer
[Pre-Chorus]
Cut my cover down
In the hollow between
You find the venom in me
Rip my world apart
In the sorrow beneath
You find the devil in me
[Chorus]
Stay forever in the light
I awaken, I arise
I still hear the call of life
I’m taken by the tide
[Verse 2]
Life falls to grey, hope of the hopeless
And now only lost remain
Tear my hеad apart
A broken life has left mе born to burn
[Chorus]
Stay forever in the light
I awaken, I arise
I still hear the call of life
I’m taken by the tide
Stay forever in the light
I awaken, I survive
I still hear the call of life
I’m taken by the tide
[Bridge]
Arise
[Chorus]
Stay forever in the light
I awaken, I arise
I still hear the call of life
I’m taken by the tide
Stay forever in the light
I awaken, I survive
I still hear the call of life
I’m taken by the tide
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