This Day In Music History: August 8th, 2006 – Breaking Benjamin releases the career-defining “Phobia”

Few modern rock albums, or bands for that matter, can claim to be as successful as Breaking Benjamin’s album, Phobia. Though the band is currently on top of the hard rock world, routinely selling out amphitheatres everywhere, there was a time where many wondered if they were going to be able to follow up their first two records with great results. Released on this day in 2006, the band’s third album is arguably their greatest, and with one listen to it, it’s not hard to fathom why.

One of the really intriguing qualities of this record is that almost every song from it could well have been a huge radio single. Songs like “Unknown Soldier” and “Until The End” are radio-ready with excellent choruses that most bands would kill for. It’s uncanny how Benjamin Burnley and company are so adept at creating big hooks in even the most basic of songs.

Notably, multiple tracks from this album still dominate rock radio today, especially “The Diary Of June” and the near-perfect “Breath”. But it’s the lesser heralded tracks, like “You” and “Until The End”, that command the most attention. Big hooks, solid lyrics, and a sound that is distinctly Breaking Benjamin? Phobia was a recipe for success.