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Rating: 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.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 The Diary of Jane ()
If I had to
I would put myself
Right beside you
So let me ask
Would you like that?
Would you like that?
And I don't mind,
If you say this love
Is the last time
So now I'll ask
Do you like that?
Do you like that?
NO!
Something's getting in the way
Something's just about to break
I will try to find my place
In the diary of Jane
So tell me how it should be...
Try to find out,
What makes you tick
As I lie down
Sore and sick
Do you like that?
Do you like that?
There's a fine line,
Between love and hate
And I don't mind,
Just let me say
That I like that!
I like that!
Something's getting in the way
Something's just about to break
I will try to find my place
In the diary of Jane.
As I burn another page
As I look the other way
I still try to find my place
In the diary of Jane
So tell me how it should be...
Desperate I will crawl,
Waiting for so long,
No love, there is no love,
Die for anyone,
What have I become?
Something's getting in the way
Something's just about to break
I will try to find my place
In the diary of Jane.
As I burn another page
As I look the other way
I still try to find my place
In the diary of Jane.
03 Breath ()
I see nothing in your eyes
And the more I see the less I like
Is it over yet, in my head?
I know nothing of your kind
And I won't reveal your evil mind
Is it over yet? I can't wait
So sacrifice yourself
And let me have what's left
I know that I can find
The fire in your eyes
I'm going all the way, get away, please
You take the breath right out of me
You left a hole where my heart should be
You got to fight just to make it through
'Cause I will be the death of you
This will be all over soon.
Pour salt into the open wound.
Is it over yet? Let me in
So sacrifice yourself
And let me have what's left
I know that I can find
The fire in your eyes
I'm going all the way, get away, please
You take the breath right out of me
You left a hole where my heart should be
You got to fight just to make it through
'Cause I will be the death of you
I'm waiting, I'm praying, realize, start hating.
You take the breath right out of me
You left a hole where my heart should be
You got to fight just to make it through
'Cause I will be the death of you
05 Evil Angel ()
Hold it together
Birds on a feather
Nothing but lies and crooked wings
I have the answer
Spreading the cancer
You are the faith inside me
No
Don't
Leave me to die here
Help me survive here
Alone
Don't
Remember
Remember
Put me to sleep evil angel
Open your wings evil angel
I'm a believer
Nothing could be worse
All these imaginary friends
Hiding betrayal
Driving the nail
Hoping to find the savior
No
Don't
Leave me to die here
Help me survive here
Alone
Don't
Surrender
Surrender
Put me to sleep evil angel
Open your wings evil angel
Fly over me evil angel
Why can't I breathe evil angel
Put me to sleep evil angel
Open your wings evil angel
Fly over me evil angel
Why can't I breathe evil angel
06 Until The End ()
So clever
Whatever
I'm done with these endeavors
Alone I walk the winding way
(Here I stay)
It's over
No longer
I feel it growing stronger
I'll live to die another day
Until I fade away
Why give up, why give in?
It's not enough, it never is
So I will go on until the end
We've become desolate
It's not enough, it never is
But I will go on until the END!
Surround me
It's easy
To fall apart completely
I feel you creeping up again
(In my head)
It's over
No longer
I feel it growing colder
I knew this day would come to end
So let this life begin
Why give up, why give in?
It's not enough, it never is
So I will go on until the end
We've become desolate
It's not enough, it never is
So I will go on until the end
I've lost my way
I've lost my way
But I will go on until the end
Living is
Hard enough
Without you fucking up
Why give up, why give in?
It's not enough, it never is
So I will go on until the end
We've become desolate
It's not enough, it never is
But I will go on until the end
I've lost my way
I've lost my way
But I will go on until the end
The final fight I'll win
The final fight I'll win
The final fight I'll win
But I will go on until the end
08 Topless ()
Fruit on the vine
You've got yours
And I've got mine
Meat on your bones
They wont know
They wont know
I love your face
Just get away
I'm on my knees
Fuck you
Fuck me
I'm on my way
To feel you
Dislocate
Save in your space
I'm open
Wide open
I love your face
Just get away
I'm on my knees
Fuck you
Fuck me
I love your face
Just get away
I'm on my knees
Fuck you
Fuck me
Me
Me
Me
10 Unknown Soldier ()
Borderline, dead inside
I don't mind falling to pieces
Count me in, violin
Let's begin feeding the sickness
How do I simplify?
Dislocate, the enemy's on the way
Show me what it's like
To dream in black and white
So I can leave this world tonight
Full of fear, everclear
I'll be here, fighting forever
Curing us, venomous
You'll find me climbing to heaven
Never mind, turn back time
You'll be fine; I will get left behind
Show me what it's like
To dream in black and white
So I can leave this world tonight
Holding on too tight
Breathe the breath of life
So I can leave this world behind
It only hurts just once
They're only broken bones
Hide the hate inside
Show me what it's like
To dream in black and white
So I can leave this world tonight
Holding on too tight
Breathe the breath of life
So I can leave this world behind
11 Had Enough ()
Milk it for all it's worth
Make sure you get there first
The apple of your eye
The rotten core inside
We are all prisoners
Things couldn't get much worse
I've had it up to here
You know your end is near
You had to have it all
Well have you had enough?
You greedy little bastard
You will get what you deserve
When all is said and done
I will be the one
To leave you in your misery
And hate what you've become
Intoxicated eyes
No longer live that life
You should have learned by now
I'll burn this whole world down
I need some peace of mind
No fear of what's behind
You think you've won this fight
You've only lost your mind
You had to have it all
Well have you had enough?
You greedy little bastard
You will get what you deserve
When all is said and done
I will be the one
To leave you in your misery
And hate what you've become
Hold me down
I will live again
Pull me out
I will break it in
Hold me down
Better in the end
Hold me down
You had to have it all
Well have you had enough?
You greedy little bastard
You will get what you deserve
When all is said and done
I will be the one
To leave you in your misery
And hate what you've become
Heaven help you
Heaven help you
12 You Fight Me ()
You fight me
Flat on my lonely face I fell
Finding in the end I live well
In the light of the life that I have found
It's coming down
I don't know what isn't real
But it's easy to beat me
Suck it in
Life is sink or swim
Love is blinding
No surviving
I don't know what I want to be yet
But I can show that I need to see this
No time for lies and empty fights
I'm on your side
Can't we live a life of peace and happiness?
I don't think so
No denying that I'm scared to lose the things I love
I'm in control
This is how
This is how it's gonna end
This is how
This is how it's gonna end
End
Everyone is waiting here
For everyone
Leave me alone
This is how
This is how it's gonna end
This is how
This is how it's gonna end
This is how
This is how it's gonna end
NO
This is how
This is how it's gonna end
End
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Other reviews
By Cortez
"Phobia proves to be a valuable encounter between melody and chaos, emotions and aggressiveness."
"Best tracks are 'You Fight Me', 'Dance With The Devil', 'Here We Are', and 'Evil Angel'."
By emdero
The album sucks and it’s classical music and it STINKS!!!
By TheChosenOne
"The album features an even more prominent melodic component than in We Are Not Alone."
"It's the classic album you can listen to very pleasantly the first two or three times; then the overall monotony makes you want to listen to something else."
By Survivor 12
"Phobia proves to be a pleasant album that can be summarized in speed, melody, aggressiveness, and lots of emotions."
"Dance With The Devil is pure aggression and adrenaline... a track that alone raises the overall level of the album."
