Breaking Benjamin
Biography
Breaking Benjamin is an American rock band from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, formed in 1999 by lead singer and guitarist Benjamin Burnley and drummer Jeremy Hummel. The band's name originated from an incident where Burnley broke a borrowed microphone at a club, prompting the mic's owner to sarcastically thank "Benjamin for breaking my fucking mic". After a brief period under the name Plan 9, the band reverted to Breaking Benjamin.
Early Years and Lineup Changes
The initial lineup that gained local attention included Burnley, Hummel, guitarist Aaron Fink, and bassist Mark Klepaski. This lineup released two albums: Saturate (2002) and We Are Not Alone (2004). Following the release of their second album, Hummel was replaced by Chad Szeliga in 2005. The band went on to release two more successful albums, Phobia (2006) and Dear Agony (2009), before entering a hiatus in 2010 due to Burnley's ongoing health issues. Legal disputes during the hiatus led to the dismissal of Fink and Klepaski. Szeliga announced his departure in 2013, leaving Burnley as the sole member.
Reformation and Continued Success
In 2014, Breaking Benjamin reformed with a new lineup. The current members are Benjamin Burnley (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Jasen Rauch (lead guitar), Keith Wallen (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Aaron Bruch (bass, backing vocals), and Shaun Foist (drums). This revamped lineup released Dark Before Dawn in 2015, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. This was followed by Ember in 2018, which reached number three.
Musical Style and Achievements
Breaking Benjamin is known for their hard rock and alternative metal sound, characterized by heavy guitar riffs, angst-ridden lyrics, and powerful choruses. Despite numerous lineup changes, Burnley has remained the primary songwriter, ensuring a consistent musical direction. The band has sold over 19 million units in the United States alone. Their discography includes several platinum-certified albums such as We Are Not Alone, Phobia, and Dear Agony. They have produced a string of successful singles, including "The Diary of Jane," "Breath," "I Will Not Bow," "Failure," and "Angels Fall."
Discography
Studio Albums:
Saturate (2002)
We Are Not Alone (2004)
Phobia (2006)
Dear Agony (2009)
Dark Before Dawn (2015)
Ember (2018)
Aurora (2020) (compilation of reworked songs)