Breaking Benjamin, Starset, P.O.D., and Filter

Breaking Benjamin currently consists of Benjamin Burnley on guitar and lead vocals, Shaun Foist as the drummer, Keith Wallen on guitar and backing vocals, Jasen Rauch as the lead guitarist, and Aaron Bruch on bass and backing vocals. Although the line up of the band has altered considerably over the years, the refreshing alterations of band members appears to have, if anything, strengthened the sound and dynamics of the band. After the band entered their hiatus in 2010, Mark Klepaski and Aaron Fink were dismissed from the band, parting under sour circumstances.

With their earlier albums such as "We Are Not Alone" ranking so high on the charts and producing the single "So Cold" which reached number 2, apprehensions surrounded the idea of rekindling the band, in fear that their talent and drive may have dwindled. Since they reformed however, their career is looking fresh and exciting. With four previous studio albums under their belt, the alternative metal band have an exciting back catalogue to play from, that every single member knows inside out, regardless of their length of time in the band. Anticipation for new material is high, and the talented musicians are sure to create some exciting new material.

The band Payable On Death was formed in 1992 by Marcos Curiel and Wuv Bernard, who are originally from San Diego. In the early stages the duo were just jamming and didn't currently have a vocalist. Sonny Sandoval was invited to join by his cousin Bernard after he turned to Christianity following the fatal death of his mother. After the edition of bass player Gabe Portillo, the original line up was in place and they continued from there as P.O.D. The band have a variety of influencers such as Santana, Bob Marley, Metallica, U2, Pantera, Bad Brains and Faith No More. This helps to explain the way their sound tends to cross genres including alternative rock, reggae and latin.

In 1994 they released their debut album 'Snuff the Punk' through Rescue Records. They didn't achieve chart success with their first few albums yet their reputation quickly spread through the States, the band were famously offered a $100,000 recording contract which Sonny turned down as he believed that “God has a bigger plan for P.O.D".

The 2001 album 'Satellite' was their first appearance on the US and UK charts, charting at #6 and #16 respectively. They also topped the US Christian charts and appeared on numerous others around the world. Their next four albums all topped the US Christian chart, whilst three peaked within the top ten on the US Billboard Chart. However their success in the UK could be described as a one hit wonder, with 'Satellite' remaining the only charting album.

Prior to meeting through a mutual friend, vocalist, guitarist, bassist and drummer Richard Patrick had been a touring member of Nine Inch Nails on the band’s first tour, and programmer, guitarist, keyboardist and drummer Brian Liesegang had graduated in philosophy from the University of Chicago. Shortly after meeting the pair began recording their brand industrial rock that resulted in Filter’s debut album “Short Bus” in 1995. Recorded in a small room in Cleveland and released by Reprise Records, the album hit the mainstream aided by notable MTV rotation of the single “Hey Man, Nice Shot”.

In support of the album the duo enlisted the help of guitarist Geno Lenardo, bassist Frank Cavanaugh, and drummer Matt Walker and embarked on their first tour. Two years later in 1997, Liesegang left the group citing creative differences, however Patrick continued on and released “Title of Record” in 1999. Thanks again to significant radio air play and MTV rotation, the album proved another success, later being certified platinum, featuring the single “Take a Picture”. The album marked the departure of Walker who left to work with the Smashing Pumpkins and the arrival of Steve Gillis on drums.

In 2002 the band’s third full length “The Amalgamut" arrived, aided by the singles “Where Do We Go From Here?” and “American Cliché”. Alan Bailey was hired to perform guitar on the subsequent live tour, however it didn’t last long as Patrick voluntarily checked himself into rehab for alcohol and drug dependency. After getting himself clean Patrick was part of the supergroup The Damning Well and formed the other supergroup Army of Anyone, although neither found particular success and the band leader returned his focus to Filter.

Filter released their fourth studio album “Anthems for the Damned” in 2008 and in the same year the remix album “Remixes for the Damned”. The band’s fifth full-length “The Trouble with Angles”, produced by Bob Marlette, was eventually issued in 2010 and was notably much heavier and industrial then their previous releases. Working with Marlette again on the album “The Sun Comes Out Tonight” (2013) the album was led by the single “We Hate It When You Get What You Want” and was supported by a tour opening for the Stone Temple Pilots.