Breaking Benjamin is over, at least for everyone except lead singer Ben Burnley.
Burnley fired guitarist Aaron Fink and bassist Mark Klepaski via email after a dispute over a new recording of their 2004 song “Blow Me Away”, originally recorded for the video game Halo 2.
According to the Citizens Voice, on May 13th,after receiving a $100,000 payment from their record label, Fink and Klepaski gave Hollywood Records consent to record a new version of the song. Burnley was not pleased that the members made unilateral and unauthorized decisions without his consent so he fired both members two days later.
Now both members are being sued by Burnley for $750,000 for compensatory and punitive damages and the naming rights for Breaking Benjamin. The case is currently in arbitration.
This is not the first time Burnley has made changes to the Breaking Benjamin lineup. In 2004 Burnley fired drummer Jeremy Hummel while he was on a band-approved leave of absence to stay with his wife after the birth of their first child.
All of this is going on while their greatist hits album, “Shallow Bay: The Best of Breaking Benjamin”, is expected to be released on August 16th through Hollywood Records.
Yes, the new version of “Blow Me Away” is said to be on the album. Scandalous!
Here is the new version of the song creating all the fuss:
Photos and Video Courtesy of Hollywood Records
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