the ’Zine

Breaking Benjamin Makes Their Rock Band Debut with Three Hit Singles

Filed under: DLC News / Tags: breaking-benjamin, artist-pack, nu-metal, 2000s / 7 comments

Hailing from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Breaking Benjamin formed when guitarist Aaron Fink and bassist Mark James left their band Lifer, which had just been signed to a record deal with Universal. The story goes that Fink & James had such enormous faith in frontman Ben Burnley's songwriting skills that they felt comfortable leaving their already successful band behind. Breaking Benjamin signed with Hollywood Records in 2001 and released the critically acclaimed Saturate the following year.

After almost two years of touring to support Saturate, the band came home to record their second album with help from a very special guest. Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins co-wrote several of the tracks on We Are Not Alone and is credited with "additional assistance." "So Cold" was the first single and a #1 hit on the rock charts, helping the album get a platinum certification. It's a haunting track, featuring melodic guitars (including a very short solo from Fink) and vocals that range from an almost-whisper to an emotional scream. Burnley and Fink told Guitar World that the horror movie 28 Days Later inspired the desperate, isolated quality of the song.

The band followed up the success of We Are Not Alone by adding new drummer Chad Szeliga and recording their third album Phobia. "The Diary of Jane," Phobia's first single, was a radio hit before the album was even in stores, hitting number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and helping the band land their second platinum album. The song features Szeliga's intense drumming and Fink's powerful guitar riff combined with Burnley's lyrical perfectionism. According to James, Burnley had three or four options for the lyrics and melody before the band even entered the studio. The result is an in-your-face rock song with a super-catchy hook.

"I Will Not Bow" is the first single from Dear Agony, the band's fourth studio album, which hits stores the same day as the DLC pack. The track is featured on the soundtrack for the Bruce Willis sci-fi thriller Surrogates and movie footage features heavily in the music video. Displaying the band's usual mix of driving guitars, heavy drums, and Burnley's soaring vocals, the song is already a top ten hit at rock radio.

The songs will be available on Xbox 360 and Wii on September 29th and PlayStation 3 October 1st.

← Previous post

turok_vicius...

finally!!!!, now we need to see Chevelle and 10 Years on rockband!!!!!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

VamboyJr...

finally!!!!!
now i just need anothr $20!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

sbdude2550...

THANK YOU ROCK BAND

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Trick_24...

Its about time Breaking Benjamin was added to rockband, and hopefully more or all of their songs will be available. It's going to be AWSOME to play. Also, I'm with ya'll (below), some Seether and Three Days Grace should be added. What ****s is since I have a PS3, I have to wait till Oct. 1st. What's up with that. All DLCs should be available for all consoles on the same day.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

LegacyAR...

brsfan25 i love where your head is at. Dance with the Devil is my favorite Breaking Benjamin song as well!!! That would be awesome!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

brsfan25...

HAHA, FInaly, Now rock band you just need to add Dancing With The Devil, and some SEETHER!!!, lol

Friday, September 25, 2009

LegacyAR...

I have been waiting for Breaking Benjamin ever since the first day rock band came out!! I even bought that terrible, terrible Rock Reveloution game just so I could play Diary of Jane. Thank you MTV, EA and Harmonix for putting this on there. And now could you please put some Three Days Grace and some more Linkin Park!!!!

Friday, September 25, 2009

Try a free lesson from Rock School powered by Berkleemusic!