Don't be afraid: Even after a lineup change and a two-year hiatus, Breaking Benjamin's much-anticipated new album—Phobia—has finally been released.
One of the most distinguished modern hard rock bands is back at it, and they haven't skipped a beat. Lead singer Ben Burnley's vocals soar through 11 tracks, showing off his impressive melodic and stylistic range. Chad Szeliga replaces Jeremy Hummell as drummer on the album, making his bones on ""Breathe"" and ""Evil Angel"" with an impressive instrumental versatility. His dexterous high-hat strikes and forceful bass kicks simply knock the wind right out of you.
The album abounds with highlights, and every single track is at least listenable, if not outright stuck-in-your-head catchy. Like their previous two albums, formula is nowhere to be found. Burnley frolics in the differences between the light and hard, between the angry and loving, and builds emotional intensity with an ever-present confusion: ""So why are you so eager to betray? / Pick the pieces up, pick the pieces up / So why are you the one that walks away? / Pick the pieces up.""
Phobia is titled fittingly. The album dwells deep in the subconscious, addressing anxiety, fear, hate, obsession and most notably, guilt, and whether Burnley is dishing or admitting it, his lyrics are always brash and pointed: ""You had to have it all, well have you had enough? / You greedy little bastard, you'll get what you deserve.""
As always, Breaking Benjamin give their core audience plenty of the sonic, roaring metal that they're used to, but with a few tracks laid aside for experimentation. That being said, the more experimental ""You Fight Me"" is arguably one of the best songs of the album. Piano and synthesized drums begin the track, followed with a chilling blend of screams, whispers and vocal harmony. At no point can you find your bearing, as the blaring chords end just as abruptly as they began. And just as he promises, ""This is how it's going to end"" (save for the outro and a bonus acoustic version of the ""Diary of Jane""), ""You Fight Me"" is how the album ends.
