Breaking Benjamin Escorts Us On a Precious Trek To Eden

First you take one ripple on undisturbed water, that comes in the shape of Jasen Rauch's delicate electronic strings. Then, you add the determined vocals of one Benjamin Burnley, slicing his way through the underbrush, undaunted by what adversity comes his way. Toss in a little bass action from Aaron Bruch. Top that all off with the steadfast drumming of Shaun Foist and what do you come away experiencing? One gorgeous track from Pennsylvania's Breaking Benjamin which goes under the moniker of "Ashes of Eden". You know what it's like idling around in Eden after this song reaches its conclusion. So much vulnerability pouring out of Benji. You want to tell him everything's gonna be okay but, alas, that's a claim you can't etch in stone at present. The pace here urges you to tread carefully because the Fates don't necessarily play kindly. Slow, jacuzzi comfortable, easy to get along with. That's due in no small measure to Benjamin's likability quotient which goes sky high this time around. His lyrics echo the pleadings of a man close to the edge, somewhat dreading, as I guess we all do, what is or isn't waiting for him on the other side of this rotating jewel. Not once does "Ashes of Eden" beat you over the head on a wave of treacle that you can't penetrate with your most high quality putty knife. Ben wants you to stick by his side, no matter what the final verdict might be. "Will the faithful be rewarded?" he wonders. Fair question. None of us comes back around to suggest a definitive answer so that question becomes increasingly seductive. Over the melting heart landscape sits a very high concept song. I think "Ashes of Eden" merits its close to 5 minute playing time. You're able to examine the many layers closely, an archaeologist of music if you will. You get an inside line to Ben's aching frame of mind. The choral refrain speaks loudly to Ben's urgency. "Stay with me, don't let me go because there's nothing left at all. Stay with me, don't let me go until the Ashes of Eden fall. He has trouble hearing his travelling companion. He wonders how she can possibly be with him if he can't feel or hear her. Going back to the opening ripple effect called on in the beginning, it's that gentle wave that ushers you into Ben's dilemma. He wants security but that, as we Earth creatures know, gets cast into the villainous role as cruel illusion. We make security for ourselves through whatever safe haven we can construct for ourselves, an impregnable fortress of the mind in which not just anybody can gain access. Moving slowly through "Ashes To Eden" makes approaching this flavor of unknown sound almost palatable. Our bearings can be collected before we reach the waterfall's edge. Truth be told the song functions as a perfect complement to the rush of a hungry waterfall...or Dom Perignon, you make that call yourself. Much beauty can be culled from the lush arrangements. Dazzling electronic strings ignite the cauldron that sends us down the well-worn path. You'll discover that you're going to emerge the better person for having made the trip. "Ashes To Eden" allows gorgeous, slow cooked atmospherics to whip up a beauty that cleans up good.