Breaking Benjamin is a popular American rock band that has gained a devoted fan base over the years with its emotional and powerful music. But is the band’s music rooted in faith, or are they simply a secular rock group with no religious undertones?
We shall examine Breaking Benjamin’s past and history in this article, as well as their songs and themes, and any religious controversies they may have. This page will offer an exhaustive analysis of the subject whether you’re a fan of the band or are just curious about their beliefs
Breaking Benjamin: A brief background
Breaking Benjamin is an American rock band that was formed in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 1999. The band was founded by lead vocalist and guitarist Benjamin Burnley and drummer Jeremy Hummel and has undergone numerous lineup changes over the years.
Currently, the band consists of guitarists Jasen Rauch and Keith Wallen, bassist Aaron Bruch, drummer Shaun Foist, and of course, Burnley who has remained a constant presence as the driving force behind the band.
Characterized by its emotional intensity and powerful sound, Breaking Benjamin’s music is a blend of hard rock and alternative metal, with a focus on catchy melodies and heavy guitar riffs. Burnley’s distinctive voice, ranging from powerful growls to soaring melodies, has been a key factor in the band’s sound. Their lyrics often explore themes of love, loss, and overcoming personal struggles.
Breaking Benjamin released their debut album, “Saturate,” in 2002, which featured hit songs such as “Polyamorous” and “Skin.” The album was well-received by fans and critics alike and helped establish the band as a rising force in the rock music scene.
Over the next years, Breaking Benjamin released several more successful albums, including “We Are Not Alone” (2004) and “Phobia” (2006), which spawned popular singles like “So Cold,” “The Diary of Jane,” and “Breath.” Burnley reformed the band in 2014 with a new lineup, and released their fourth studio album, “Dark Before Dawn,” in 2015.
They have released a total of six studio albums, and have sold over seven million albums in the United States alone. Breaking Benjamin has maintained their status as a reliable and adored force in the rock music industry despite lineup changes and personal difficulties.
Burnley has cited a wide range of influences on his music, including Metallica, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains. He has also shown admiration for vintage rock acts like Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin in interviews. Burnley has spoken about his battles with anxiety and despair, and these themes of struggle and overcoming hardship can be heard frequently in his music.
The Religious Background of Breaking Benjamin
There has been much speculation about the members’ religious beliefs of Breaking Benjamin, as some of their lyrics contain religious themes and imagery. Albums like “Dark Before Dawn”, and the recent, “Ember”, have several songs with themes that feel religious/Christian.
But even though they’ve released songs like, “Without You”, “Ashes of Eden” and more, that are undoubtedly about God, and even though they’ve even helped write a few songs for Christian bands (Example: “Shadows” for RED); the band has never publicly stated whether or not they are a Christian band.
Benjamin Burnley, the band’s lead vocalist has always attributed the band’s success to God and confirmed his belief in God. Chad Szeliga, a former drummer for the band, is very open about his faith, as well as the band’s former bassist, Mark Klepaski. The current lead guitarist, Jasen Rauch, (a former guitarist for RED), is also very open about his faith.
Analysis of Lyrics and Themes from Breaking Benjamin Songs
While the band does not consider itself a Christian band, they don’t shy away from any themes that may be considered spiritual or religious. They try to write honest, meaningful lyrics that people can relate to on their level.
Breaking Benjamin’s lyrics have often been described as introspective and emotional, with themes of love, loss, and perseverance. Some fans and critics have noted the presence of religious or spiritual themes in the band’s lyrics, such as references to God, heaven, and redemption.
“I Will Not Bow” is a song about standing up for what you believe in and not letting others dictate your beliefs. The lyrics include lines such as “I will not bow, I will not break, I will shut the world away” and “I will not fall, I will not fade, I will take your breath away,” which could be interpreted as the narrator or songwriter standing firm in their faith and not letting external forces shake their belief in God.
“Until the End” is a song about persevering through difficult times and finding hope in the face of adversity. The lyrics include lines such as “why give up, why give in, I’ll fight until the end” and “I’ve lost my way, I’ve lost my way, But I will go on until the end,” which could be interpreted as the songwriter finding strength in their faith to overcome challenges.
“Ashes of Eden” shows an expressed yearning and plea for God from the narrator. “Dear Agony” has lyrics that contain a reference to seeking guidance and direction from a higher power, which is a common theme in Christianity.
You may also sense themes revolving around love and dealing with a breakup from songs like “The Diary of Jane” and “Breath”, which further prove that the band play within relatable themes and not exactly songs that show spirituality or can be expressly labelled “Christian”.
What makes a song “Christian”?
There is no strict or universal definition of what makes a song or music “Christian.” However, some common traits that are closely associated with Christian music include music that is performed in styles such as seen in contemporary Christian music or gospel, and lyrics that make explicit references to Christ Jesus (who is the centre and foundation of Christianity and the Christian church), the Bible, or Christian themes and messages.
So, you could comfortably label a song Christian if it is based around the Christian faith and references Christ or any of the entities listed above. But sometimes that’s insufficient.
Christian music can come in many different forms and styles and can be found within a wide range of genres, including rock, pop, folk, hip-hop, and many others. Additionally, Christian music can be performed by artists or bands who identify as Christian, as well as by artists or bands who do not identify as Christian but whose music contains Christian themes or messages.
Ultimately, whether a song or piece of music can be considered Christian depends on each person’s interpretation and understanding of the lyrics and themes present in the music, as well as the context in which it is performed or shared, which is quite crucial.
On a general note, you will find that some of Breaking Benjamin’s songs have vaguely Christian-sounding lyrics, but are not explicitly Christian as they neither directly glorify God nor do they talk about the Christian faith or journey.
Most of the themes are secular, and (for the most part) address relatable human issues like depression and personal journeys, which is certainly not enough to label it a Christian or Satanic band.
Can Breaking Benjamin be labelled Satanic?
It is not accurate or fair to label Breaking Benjamin as “satanic” based on the band’s music or lyrics. While some of their lyrics may contain themes or references that could be interpreted as having secular connotations, there is no evidence to suggest that the members of Breaking Benjamin have any affinity for Satanism or promote satanic beliefs in their music.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s clear that faith and spirituality are important to lead singer Benjamin Burnley and have played a role in the lyrics and themes of Breaking Benjamin’s music. However, the band has consistently stated that they are not a Christian band and that its music is open to interpretation.
While there have been controversies and debates surrounding the band’s faith, ultimately it is up to individual listeners to decide how they interpret the lyrics and themes of Breaking Benjamin’s music.
We agree with the band, as we do not believe Breaking Benjamin is a Christian band. But we would love your opinion on the topic. Do you believe Breaking Benjamin is a Christian band? Drop an answer for us in the comment section and state your reasons as well.