Is Dark Before Dawn a good place to start with Breaking Benjamin?

Yes, Dark Before Dawn is recommended as a starting point for new Breaking Benjamin listeners. A dynamic blend of hard-hitting riffs and melodic introspection that encapsulates the struggle between despair and hope. Released on June 23, 2015, 'Dark Before Dawn' marked Breaking Benjamin's return after a six-year hiatus following their previous album, 'Dear Agony'. This record was pivotal as it introduced new members to the lineup, revitalizing their sound while maintaining the core elements that defined their earlier work.

Who is Dark Before Dawn for?

Dark Before Dawn works well if you're into steady emotional exploration throughout, resilient themes of inner struggle and consistent flow with resolution.

How many songs are on Dark Before Dawn?

Dark Before Dawn has 12 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Dark Before Dawn

Breaking Benjamin · 2015

42 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock

A dynamic blend of hard-hitting riffs and melodic introspection that encapsulates the struggle between despair and hope.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Failure Start here — This track embodies the album's themes of resilience and self-reflection, featuring an anthemic chorus that invites listeners to confront their struggles.
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Angels Fall — With its haunting melodies and lyrical exploration of loss and redemption, this song captures the emotional heart of the album.
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Ashes of Eden — The closing track delivers a powerful sense of closure with its evocative lyrics and orchestral elements, highlighting the band's growth and maturity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album balances heavy riffs with melodic moments, showcasing solid songwriting and production.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with aggressive guitar riffs, while the second half shifts to more melodic and introspective pieces.
Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing emotional impact.
The album closes with a gradual build-up in 'Dawn', which resolves the tension established throughout the record.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady emotional exploration throughout
resilient themes of inner struggle
consistent flow with resolution
reflective moments for introspection
short tracks for focused listening

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Marked a strong return after a hiatus, debuting at number one and solidifying their status.
Career context: Released on June 23, 2015, 'Dark Before Dawn' marked Breaking Benjamin's return after a six-year hiatus following their previous album, 'Dear Agony'. This record was pivotal as it introduced new members to the lineup, revitalizing their sound while maintaining the core elements that defined their earlier work.
Stylistic neighbors: Three Days Grace· Seether· Shinedown