Get ready for some rock

By: MIKE KESNECK / Staff Writer

Posted on 23. Mar, 2005 in Uncategorized

The anticipation fills the venue until you can't wait another second. Then Breaking Benjamin takes the stage. It opens the set with ear-shattering feedback and the all-too-familiar throaty growl from lead singer, Ben Burnley, sending chills up your back and down your arms making every hair on your body stand on end.

The show tonight at the Ice Garden Arena in Rostraver, Pa., headlined by Breaking Benjamin, is in support of the band's current album, We Are Not Alone. After the almost immediate success of the first single, "So Cold," Breaking Benjamin has hit the road hard with a live performance that promises to hit even harder.

Breaking Benjamin's second single, "Sooner or Later," has made its way to radio, and the boys in the band hope to elevate this one to surpass the success of "So Cold" and "Polyamorous," from their debut album Saturate. With the current airplay of "Sooner or Later" on MTV2 and the track's opening guitar call, it may give Breaking Benjamin's last two singles a run for their money.

With two critically acclaimed albums to pull from, Breaking Benjamin is left with a strong arsenal of songs to fuel their live shows. Live favorites like "Away" and "Breakdown," featured on the So Cold EP, are definite crowd pleasers, guaranteed to get the crowd on their feet and jumping.

Playing as direct support on the card is Theory of a Deadman, and to be honest, this concert should have been billed as having two headliners. Breaking Benjamin puts on a top-notch live show, but Theory of a Deadman will be hot on their heels.

Out of Vancouver, Canada, Theory is gearing up for the release of their sophomore album Gasoline, due out later this month. As promised on their website and as evidenced from bands like Breaking Benjamin, the sophomore jinx will not be an issue. With tonight's show being less than one week before the release of Gasoline, it will be interesting to see how the band puts together the evening's set list. With songs like "Nothing Could Come Between Us" and "Make Up Your Mind," both from Theory's self-titled debut album, even a set list that's half full of songs that the crowd has never heard still has the potential to rock the house.

Both Breaking Benjamin and Theory of a Deadman have played shows with bands like Saliva and 3 Doors Down, which are known for helping baby bands get their foot in the door.

With that said, Breaking Benjamin and Theory of a Deadman have come through the door, turned it up and are prepared to blow the door off its hinges from the inside out.

Breaking Benjamin, Theory of a Deadman and The Exies play the Ice Garden Arena in Rostraver tonight. The all-ages show starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call (412) 333-1919.