Breaking Benjamin – Dear Agony

Since 2002′s Saturate, the Pennsylvanian quartet Breaking Benjamin has been a driving force in the brooding world of alternative metal. Recruiting David Bendeth (Paramore, Killswitch Engage) to produce once again, one can expect more of the same on Dear Agony. Like 2006′s Phobia, there is an equal balance of radio ready tracks with soaring choruses as well as the recognizable toned-down ballads. Although it seems as though nothing has changed, this is exactly what the band wanted to happen. This is simply what works for the band and it sells records in the process. The assaulting chorus of ‘€œCrawl’€ and the gigantic sound of ‘€œFade Away’€ stick out as the traditional formulas of a Breaking Benjamin album. Tracks like ‘€œGive Me A Sign’€ and ‘€œDear Agony’€ bring out the soft side of singer guitarist Ben Burnley with latter containing the lyrics, ‘€œDear Agony Just let go of me.’€ Of course, the riot starters ‘€œLights Out’€ and ‘€œHopeless’€ will surely start up a good mosh pit at a show with their infusion of guttural screams and power chords. For the most part, the album is a satisfying return after three years- which shows in the first week sales of 134,000. First single, ‘€œI Will Not Bow’€ is getting great airplay and the song was featured in the recent Bruce Willis flop, Surrogates (2009). For the fans, Dear Agony is a fantastic move in the right direction- even if they are staying in the same place they have always been.

Recommended Tracks: Fade Away, Lights Out, Dear Agony

Rating: 3.4/5