Breaking Benjamin brings best of modern rock to Anaheim

Breaking Benjamin filled the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on Saturday, October 3rd with a crowd hungry for the best in modern rock. Heavyweights Chevelle gave direct support, while sci-fi rock pioneers Starset brought their full production after newcomer Kami Kehoe hit the ground running with and energetic opening set.

Fans were stoked for the smorgasbord of dramatic 2000s music served up to them.

Kami Kehoe stepped out from behind the drum kit to begin her set with a drummer taking over as she began singing. With four bands playing this night, Kehoe did not have much room to move, but she used it all — warming the crowd as intended. Her sound fit in perfectly with the other artists and her reception by early attendees was overwhelmingly positive.

Starset unveiled a multi-level headliner-worthy stage setup, enhanced with numerous video walls differing in size. Drummer Adam Gilbert and multi-instrumentalist Cory Juba were situated above the first level of screens, oftentimes only visible via the next-gen glowing space helmets each of the band members wore. Guitarist Brock Richards and bassist Ron DeChant took their usual places on either side of the stage, while violinist/keyboardist Siobhán Richards and cellist Zuzana Engererova were positioned centerstage. Vocalist Dustin Bates emerged from the darkness, stepping onto an elevated platform sporting a dark robe, a metallic mask, and a crown of horns on top of his head.

This tour marks the beginning of a third aesthetic for Starset.

The vibe is mysterious and ominous. Several singles have been released, along with visuals mixing space travel with religious overtones. The graphics and costumes continue this new narrative, a version of the band continuously being revealed through singles, videos, live demonstrations, and perhaps even another novel. They opened with “p a r a d 0 x 1 c” and added “a n n 1 h 1 l a t 1 0 n” later on in the set. The rest of the show alternated between tracks from their last album Silos — including the title track “Brave New World” and “TokSik” — and their biggest hits to date. Casual fans ,who may have been dazzled by the newer songs and fantastic imagery, were ecstatic to sing along to “Carnivore”, “Monster”, and “My Demons”. This was a performance that was sonically and visually dense and fantastic. Bates promised to return to southern California with a full headlining show soon, which will surely impress.

Chevelle was next, delivering the professional live act they are known for. Brothers Pete (vocals and guitar) and Sam Loeffler (drums) continue to set the standard, with touring bassist Kemble Walters gelling well. They played new music, courtesy of their 2025 Bright as Blasphemy album. Beyond that, it was hit after hit from over the past quarter century. By this time, three bands had kept the packed arena moving, singing, and screaming for three-and-a-half hours…

And the main event had not even begun.

Breaking Benjamin took things to a whole new level, with an 18-song barrage of killer tunes. It was Benjamin Burnley, Jasen Rauch, Keith Wallen on guitars, Aaron Bruch on bass, and newcomer Brian Medeiros on drums, playing every song to perfection. Wallen and Bruch enhance Burnley’s lead vocals, bringing different dynamics that which blend perfectly, sounding magical. The 2024 single “Awaken” and 2026 single “Something Wicked” are on par with everything that came before, generating excitement for the band’s forthcoming album.

Breaking Benjamin has so many amazing songs; it is hard to tell which ones are better than the others. I must have told my friend that “this is my favorite song” at least half a dozen times throughout the evening. All that really matters is that Burnley and the boys continue to tour and record. Burnley, himself, took time to show his appreciation to the fans who have made this all possible for more than 20 years. Cheers to 20 more!

Photography by Johnnie “Crow” Vrana

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