Awaken (Breaking Benjamin song)
{{Infobox song
| name = Awaken
| cover = File:Awaken - Breaking Benjamin.jpeg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Breaking Benjamin
| album =
| released = {{Start date|2024|10|16}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{hlist|Hard rock|alternative metal}}
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=38}}
| label = BMG
| writer = *Benjamin Burnley
| producer = *Benjamin Burnley
- Jasen Rauch
| prev_title = Waiting on the Sky to Change
| prev_year = 2022
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|w0GfewGYR3g|"Awaken"}}}}
}}
"Awaken" is a song by American rock band Breaking Benjamin. It was released as the lead single from the band's upcoming untitled seventh studio album on October 16, 2024. Written and produced by the band's lead vocalist Benjamin Burnley and lead guitarist Jasen Rauch, "Awaken" is the first song by the band released via BMG, after the band left longtime label Hollywood Records.{{Cite web|url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2024-10-16-breaking-benjamin-returns-with-awaken-first-new-single-in-5-years/|title=Breaking Benjamin Returns With 'Awaken,' First New Single In 5 Years|website=iHeart|last=Fields|first=Taylor|date=October 16, 2024|access-date=January 17, 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2024/10/breaking-benjamin-awaken-stream/|title=Breaking Benjamin Unleash “Awaken,” First New Song in Five Years: Stream|website=Consequence|last=Hadusek|first=Jon|date=October 16, 2024|access-date=January 17, 2025}}
Background
Throughout 2022, the band began to write material for a follow-up to the band's sixth studio album Ember (2018). Intending to release a new studio album, guitarist Jasen Rauch revealed in May 2023 that new material was currently in production and hoped that the band would release new music within the next year.{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/breaking-benjamin-working-first-new-album-5-years/|title=Breaking Benjamin Have Been Working on First New Album in 5 Years, Guitarist Confirms|website=Loudwire|last=Schaffner|first=Lauryn|date=May 15, 2023|access-date=January 17, 2025}} In October 2024, it was revealed that the band had left longtime label Hollywood Records and had signed with BMG and was preparing to release new music imminently.{{Cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/breaking-benjamin-signs-with-bmg-prepares-to-release-new-music|title=BREAKING BENJAMIN Signs With BMG, Prepares To Release New Music|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=October 15, 2024|access-date=January 17, 2025}} On October 16, the band released "Awaken", their first new music in five years as the lead single from their untitled seventh studio album.{{Cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/hear-breaking-benjamins-first-song-in-5-years-awaken/|title=Hear Breaking Benjamin's first new song in 5 years "Awaken"|website=Revolver|last=Adams|first=Gregory|date=October 16, 2024|access-date=January 17, 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://digital.abcaudio.com/news/breaking-benjamin-debuts-new-single-awaken|title=Breaking Benjamin debuts new single, "Awaken"|website=ABC Audio|last=Johnson|first=Josh|date=October 16, 2024|access-date=January 17, 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2025/01/12/breaking-benjamin-share-first-new-music-since-2018-called-awaken/|title=Breaking Benjamin Share First New Music Since 2018 Called “Awaken”|website=MetalSucks|last=Goretooth|first=Smokey|date=January 12, 2025|access-date=January 17, 2025}}
Music video
The official music video for "Awaken" was released on January 10, 2025 and directed by Kyle Coogan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sonicperspectives.com/news/breaking-benjamin-share-music-video-for-recent-single-awaken/|title=reaking Benjamin Share Music Video For Recent Single “Awaken”|publisher=Sonic Perspectives|date=January 10, 2025|access-date=January 17, 2025}} The music video takes place in a tundra setting, with a storyline of a woman exploring a mountainous region while coming across ice caves, ruins and prehistoric skeletons. It is intertwined with the band performing the song in the snow throughout the whole music video.{{Cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/see-breaking-benjamin-conquer-frozen-tundra-in-new-awaken-video/|title=See Breaking Benjamin conquer frozen tundra in new "Awaken" video|website=Revolver|last=Adams|first=Gregory|date=January 10, 2025|access-date=January 17, 2025}}
Personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.{{Cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/391630884/credits|title=Credits/Awaken/Breaking Benjamin|publisher=Tidal|date=October 16, 2024|access-date=January 17, 2025}}
Breaking Benjamin
- Benjamin Burnley – lead vocals, guitar
- Jasen Rauch – lead guitar, programming
- Keith Wallen – rhythm guitar, backing vocals,
- Aaron Bruch – bass, backing vocals
- Shaun Foist – drums
Additional personnel
- Benjamin Burnley – production
- Jasen Rauch – production, audio engineer, digital editing
- Zakk Cervini – mixing, mastering, audio engineer
- Julian Gargiulo – mixing assistance
- Kevin Skaff – audio engineer
- Carlos Chávez – audio engineer
- Joe Rickard – vocal engineer
- Mike Warren – audio engineer
- Paul DeCarli – digital editing