Breaking Benjamin
Shaman’s Harvest
May 22nd, 2015
7 Flags Event Center
Des Moines, Iowa
SOLD OUT!
If you’re like me you’ve been listening to Breaking Benjamin’s first four albums on repeat for the last four years while they have been on hiatus. So when I heard that they were making another album and re-entering the music world, tears of pure elation couldn’t even begin to describe the happiness I felt. Then, when I heard that they would be playing a concert in Des Moines, I purchased my tickets before even knowing if I could actually go or if I could find someone to go with me. Luckily my sister was able to join me and we had one of the best nights we could ever hope for.
The concert started out with a surprise (at least it was to me) performance from Shaman’s Harvest. I’ve been listening to them for a few months, so I was pumped about them and they brought as much energy and enthusiasm as they could bring to a crowd that was only expecting and really wanting to see Breaking Benjamin. Unfortunately, the audience seemed to be enjoying their drinks and stared blankly as this band poured their heart and soul into their performance. The lead singer, Nathan Hunt, has a great voice with a strength to it that mesmerizes.
But we all know who everyone was dying to see, Breaking Benjamin. They have been and always will be my all-time favorite band. There’s a reason why the majority of my work-out mix has their music in it. They have an energy to each song that just makes you want to sing and bob your head, or go so far as to jump up and down. And let me tell you, they did not disappoint after being away for the past four years. They started their set with “So Cold”, pumping up the crowd for what was to come. The entire concert was actually more of a sing-along because everyone had heard each song so many times they knew them by heart. Let’s just say I wasn’t the only one singing every song word for word.
About three quarters of the way through their set, the amount of sweat happening from all the body heat that was jammed into the 7-Flags Event Center was taking it’s toll, and Ben Burnley took time to throw out cold bottles of water to the audience. I was lucky enough to be close enough to the stage to receive the cold shower that succeeded in momentarily cooling me down before he started back into rocking our brains out.
Now before you think I’m only all about the vocals, I really need to send a shout out and show appreciation to the mad skills of guitarists Aaron Bruch, Keith Wallen and Jason Rauch. Yes, I know Ben play guitar, but it’s not his main focus. The other three were spot on in every song and even between. The envy I felt at their perfection doesn’t even scratch the surface. The sound guy could have backed down the bass a bit, but these guys know how to seriously shred and give the audience what they want.
Let’s not forget about the heart and soul of any band, that without, this would just be an acoustic concert, drummer Shaun Foist. The speed with which his arms moved and skill that he displayed are mesmerizing. His skills behind the drumkit are like an artform and were like and entire orchestra playing the highs and lows, the louds and softs. Ben, Aaron, Keith and Jason pulled the audience and Shaun finished them off.
Breaking Benjamin proved that they are back in a big way and they can still rock the roof off any venue they visit. Hopefully they are here to stay because I don’t think my heart could take it if they ever left music again.
Setlist
** So Cold
** Follow
** Break My Fall
** Unknown Soldier
** Blow Me Away
** Failure
** Breath
** Phase
** Away
*** Shallow Bay
*** Give Me a Sign
*** Through the Never (Metallica cover)
*** Polyamorous
*** Imperial March / Schism / Smells Like Teen Spirit / Walk
*** Evil Angel
*** Until the End
*** I Will Not Bow
Encore:
*** Dance with the Devil
*** The Diary of Jane
