Breaking Benjamin
Phobia

THE REVIEW

On DeBaser this band is unknown and I think it's the same throughout Italy. So far, I've never seen a band as unlucky as Breaking Benjamin in terms of sales and popularity, despite their decent offerings because their first two albums "Saturate" (2002) and "We Are Not Alone" (2004) are good examples of post-grunge, much more expressive than that of Nickelback (on the contrary, Nickelback are making billions and these guys are almost out on the street), and this latest release is even more listenable because they've infused their sound with a bit of alternative metal in the vein of Korn's rhythms and Tool's riffs. However, even though the sound has become harsher, the references are still the same and are Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, and Pearl Jam.

Opening the album is a good psychedelic and mysterious "Intro" that makes way for the real gem and masterpiece of the album, "The Diary Of Jane", a good crossover between alternative rock, a certain pop rock voice and a second, more brutal and nu-metal-like voice, with a riff that carries the whole song - really nice, well-played drums, catchy and especially beautiful musically. A decent post-rock track is "Breath" which reveals the already mentioned and clear inspirations of the band, with a melodic voice, as in almost the whole album. A predictable piece of commercial rock is "You", the least original of the 14 tracks. Another highlight of "Phobia" is "Evil Angel" which returns to the theme of hardening the sound, with a full-bodied initial riff, but a voice too weak and melodic for the thickness of the guitars, yet listenable and well-structured between reigning melody and restrained anger. The scent of alternative metal is also in "Until The End", which has the same melodic structure as "Evil Angel", but gets lost in a pop-rock chorus that ends with an illogical growl. Pearl Jam-style ballads are resurrected with "Dance With The Devil", even if they're spiced up with an initial Tool-like riff.

They copy Korn's "Blind" with "Topless", the main riff is practically the same as the famous song by the Bakersfield band, the rest of the song is repetitive, and after a while, puts you to sleep. Another semi-acoustic ballad fully in post-rock style contaminated by pop is "Here We Are", also boring. Some power returns with "Unknown Soldier", again post-grunge that owes much to Stone Temple Pilots, Staind, and Live, once more BB get "heavy" with "Had Enough", good riff and compact song, even the singer does well, always singing along melodic lines. Brazen nu-rock is "You Fight Me" and at times they remind of Limp Bizkit in the less rap moments of "Results may vary". It concludes with the "Outro", which partially reprises the basic riff of the "Intro", but also has variations that extend the length of the piece to 2.06 minutes. The "bonus" track is an alternative version of "The Diary of Jane", where the singer showcases a very clean and ultra-melodic singing accompanied by piano and strings, quite nice.

A friend of mine recommended having a look at these Breaking Benjamin and upon first listening, the album is one of those that grab you and are "bubbly and cheerful", but then you realize there's still inexperience in the group because there are many influences, declared (Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots) and not (Korn and Bizkit but especially Tool), that clash a bit with each other. However, even if poorly assembled, the ideas are there and they are good, therefore they reach a full pass, but no more.