Watch: BREAKING BENJAMIN Releases Lyric Video for 'Awaken'

First single since 2018 hints at a fresh direction for the band.

Breaking Benjamin - Awaken (Official Lyric Video)
  • BREAKING BENJAMIN releases a lyric video for their new single ‘Awaken’, their first fresh track since 2018.
  • New album progress: four songs completed, with more in the works despite touring challenges.
  • ‘Awaken The Fallen’ tour announced, featuring STAIND, WAGE WAR, and LAKEVIEW, starting April 26, 2024.
The Gist

BREAKING BENJAMIN, the multi-platinum hard rock juggernaut, just released a lyric video for their latest single, “Awaken”. If you’re curious, the video is already floating around the internet—feel free to hunt it down.

This track is the band’s first new music since 2018, unleashed last October thanks to a fresh partnership with BMG. After more than two decades with their old label, they’ve decided to shake things up. Or at least try.

BREAKING BENJAMIN’s ‘Awaken’ heralds their return, with a co-headlining tour in 2024 — Photo: ALEX OCHOA
BREAKING BENJAMIN’s ‘Awaken’ heralds their return, with a co-headlining tour in 2024 — Photo: ALEX OCHOA

Guitarist Jasen Rauch weighed in on “Awaken”, describing the process as a blend of familiar ground and new territory. His words? “We’ve pushed boundaries while staying true to who we are.” That’s industry code for “we tried some new things, but don’t worry, it still sounds like us.”

Since their 2002 debut, “Saturate”, the band has racked up some serious accolades: 10 No. 1 hits, platinum albums, and 8.5 billion streams worldwide. Their last album, “Aurora”, gave them yet another No. 1 hit with “Far Away”, a collaboration with Scooter Ward. Before that, “Ember” climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard 200, continuing their streak of chart-topping success.

In a statement that sounds eerily similar to Jasen’s, the band noted how these new songs balance their roots with fresh ideas. Originality? Maybe. Consistency? Definitely.

Sean Heydorn, an executive at BMG, joined the hype parade, saying the band “pushes boundaries” and connects with fans on an “intense and enduring” level. Corporate fluff? Sure. But at least it’s well-written corporate fluff.

Over the years, BREAKING BENJAMIN has amassed an impressive trophy case: three platinum albums, two gold albums, and a laundry list of multi-platinum singles. They’ve been churning out hits long enough to make most bands jealous, but as guitarist Keith Wallen pointed out, fans have been restless for new material.

The Album That May (or May Not) Exist

When asked about progress on the next album, the answers have been… vague. Jasen shared in May that four songs were done, but there’s a catch: touring and recording schedules rarely play nice. “New music this year, for sure,” he promised. That’s a bold claim in an industry where delays are as common as leather jackets.

Keith Wallen echoed the sentiment in another interview, admitting that splitting time between recording and touring is tricky. His words? “Finding a quiet place to record vocals is nearly impossible on the road.” Add vocal fatigue to the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for delays.

Despite the challenges, the band seems determined. Wallen mentioned dozens of voice memos and remote recordings bouncing between band members. The result? A slow crawl toward completion. According to Rauch, quality control is the top priority, even if it means dragging out the process.

Tour News to Tide Fans Over

If waiting for new music isn’t frustrating enough, there’s at least a tour to look forward to. BREAKING BENJAMIN is teaming up with STAIND for the “Awaken The Fallen” tour, kicking off April 26. Along for the ride are WAGE WAR and LAKEVIEW. The 20-city run promises stops across the U.S., with the grand finale in Kansas City on June 1.

So yeah, what’s the verdict? The lyric video for “Awaken” is out, the album is “in progress,” and the tour is coming soon. It’s a classic case of keeping fans just satisfied enough to stick around. Here’s hoping the final product justifies the wait.

Breaking Benjamin - Awaken (Official Audio)

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