The hard-rock tour headlined by Breaking Benjamin stormed the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center and demanded the full attention of all those in attendance.
Another Day Dawns is a high-energy, nu metal-style rock band with screeching guitar solos and syncopated rhythms with some emulations of the band Korn. They were high-octane rock and the trickling-in crowd seemed to really enjoy this opening act.
Although BUSH broke up in 2002 and regrouped with a new line-up in 2010, the English rock group has had a solid 30-year history in the industry and fans poured out to hear lead-singer Gavin Rossdale belt out some fan favorites. From the word go, there was no doubt the band had the crowd’s full, undivided attention. With approximately 3,700 in attendance, Bush took the stage to the guitar-heavy “Identity” from their newest album The Art of Survival. From there, the melodic, rhythmic mega-hit “Machinehead” had the coliseum singing “Breathe in, Breathe out” in unison. During “Bullet Holes,” Gavin took to the crowd and ran throughout the arena, interacting with fans while belting out his commanding lyrics. After forging through “Everything Zen” and “Heavy is the Ocean,” the band debuted their first single from their new album, “More than Machines.” Nothing but pure energy filled the air when Gavin directed the fans to “light ’em up” during “Glycerine” and a sea of cellphone soft glow lit up the arena. On their final song, the all-enthralled fanbase belted out the chorus to “Come Down” while the very appreciative band looked on. Bush brought heavy-grungy rhythm guitars mixed with psychedelic, feedback-driven guitar solos and spot-on vocals. Those in attendance enjoyed an energetically entertaining performance. In true Breaking Benjamin fashion, the set starts with soul-shaking bass and a Kabuki curtain drop right into the band’s opening song with crunching guitars and harmony-laden, angst-heavy vocals. “Blow Me Away” immediately draws the listener in and demands attention. The song was originally written for the Halo 2 soundtrack. Although the stage is full of energy, the crowd was pretty subdued until the band’s fifth song, “So Cold.” The song is in rare drop D tuning for the band and everyone exploded in a synchronous sing-along with Benjamin’s soul-searing vocals. Song nine, “Red River Cold,” starts off with ominous angelic harmonies before pounding in your face with furious aggression. Sustaining their powerful energy, “Dance with the Devil” drops and you feel it down deep inside. The song shakes your soul and grinds your face off in true hard-rock form.Benjamin Burnley finally pauses between songs to talk to the crowd and thank their fans for being there and allowing them to do what they do every day and that “I’m sure all bands are grateful you guys are keeping rock alive.” He goes on to say what an honor is to tour with one of their influences, Bush and continues, “If there was no Bush, there would be no Breaking Benjamin.” Being that this is a mid-week show and people have to work, about a third of the audience left after this. Those that stayed, were treated with the band’s best, most energetic part of their set. The band grabbed their audience back in with “Breakdown” and “Polyamorous,” the band’s first-ever song 20 years ago. After introducing the band and punching through “Evil Angel,” the highest energy of the show was with “I Will Not Bow” and the arena erupted to the top of their lungs. “The Diary of Jane” ended the show and an amazing time was had by all.
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ANOTHER DAY DAWNS
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THE CHARLESTON COLISEUM AND CONVENTION CENTER
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