THOMAS S. ORWAT, JR.
Corfu, NY-Music lovers filled Darien Lake Amphitheater for one of the season’s final big shows-a double bill featuring Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace, with Return to Dust opening things up. With summer fading and the air just starting to cool, over 13,000 people showed up for a loud, emotional, and high-energy night of modern rock. It was the kind of show that reminded you why live music still matters, delivering a night of great songs and stellar performances from start to finish.
Three Days Grace, from Toronto, Ontario, played second on the co-headlining bill and kept the energy high throughout their 75-minute set. The band—Adam Gontier (vocals), Matt Walst (vocals), Neil Sanderson (drums), Brad Walst (bass), and Barry Stock (guitar)—looked and sounded great, with tight musicianship and a powerful stage presence. They kicked things off with “Animal I Have Become” from their 2006 album One-X, and from there it was hit after hit.
In a move that surprised many longtime fans, original vocalist Adam Gontier rejoined the band in 2024, after leaving in 2013. Rather than replacing current frontman Matt Walst, the band chose to embrace a dual-vocalist lineup—an unorthodox decision that’s paid off. The chemistry between Gontier and Walst adds a new dynamic to their live show, giving the band a unique edge and even more emotional depth. Three Days Grace is currently touring in support of their brilliant new record Alienation, released on August 22nd and already generating buzz among fans and critics.
Before playing the new song “Mayhem,” Gontier thanked the crowd for helping it reach #1 on the rock charts, proving that Three Days Grace is back-with fans and radio stations fully on board. They included three songs from “Alienation,” which marks Gontier’s return and a new chapter for the group. The record debuted at #38 on the Billboard 200-a solid showing that reflects the band’s renewed momentum and strong connection with their fanbase, both new and die-hard.
Between the songs “Kill Me Fast” and “I Hate Everything About You,” Adam Gontier spoke to the crowd and said, “We just played one of our newest songs, now we’re going to play the very first song that I got on radio for us.” It was a moment that bridged the band’s past and present. One of the most memorable parts of the set came when Gontier performed a solo acoustic version of the Alice in Chains classic “Rooster,” standing alone onstage with just his guitar. Afterward, Matt Walst smiled and said, “That dude can sing.” He followed it up with, “I know it’s Wednesday, Hump Day, but we’re having some fun tonight. Call in sick to work tomorrow.” The band then kicked into the high-energy anthem “The Good Life.”
The band ended the evening with their explosive hit “Riot,” firing up the crowd one last time. Fans had been on their feet for the entire performance, and this final anthem sent the energy through the roof. With their current lineup featuring both Adam Gontier and Matt Walst on vocals, Three Days Grace has proven that the dual-frontman approach isn’t just unconventional—it’s a game-changer. The band’s chemistry, stage presence, and stacked catalog position them to make the leap from co-headliner to full-fledged arena headliner in the very near future.
For more on Three Days Grace, visit https://threedaysgrace.com/
Setlist – Three Days Grace –
Animal I Have Become
So Called Life
Break
Home
The Mountain
Mayday
Pain
Kill Me Fast
I Hate Everything About You
I Am Machine
Time of Dying
Apologies
Rooster (Alice in Chains cover)
The Good Life
Painkiller
Never Too Late
Riot
.
Breaking Benjamin closed out the night with a performance that was less theatrical than Three Days Grace, but no less powerful. Their set leaned heavily on the music itself—letting the band’s signature blend of profound lyrics and heavy guitar riffs speak for them. Formed in 1999 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the band is now anchored by founding member Benjamin Burnley (vocals), whose unmistakable voice and emotional intensity continue to define their sound. The current lineup—Jasen Rauch (lead guitar), Keith Wallen (rhythm guitar), Aaron Bruch (bass)—joined in 2014 as part of a major reboot of the band. Touring drummer James Cassells (drums) is filling in this year for longtime member Shaun Foist (drums, programming), who has been with the band since 2014 but was unable to tour. They hit the stage late at 9:45 and played until 11:05, but the crowd simply loved them. When you have such a strong double bill, fans sometimes leave early if they came for just one band—but on this evening, it felt like both bands were equally appreciated.
Breaking Benjamin opened with “Awaken,” accompanied by dim and moody lighting. They performed nine songs from two albums: six from ‘Phobia’ released in 2006- (“Breath,” “Dance With the Devil,” “Evil Angel,” “The Diary of Jane,” “Until the End,” and “You”) and three from ‘Dear Agony’ released in 2009 (“Dear Agony,” “I Will Not Bow,” and “Without You”). The setlist focused entirely on fan favorites, with no new material introduced. There was very little crowd interaction from vocalist Benjamin Burnley, as the band moved quickly from one song to the next with minimal pauses. Audience response remained consistent throughout the performance, with many fans singing along to the more well-known tracks.
For more on Breaking Benjamin visit https://www.breakingbenjamin.com/
Awaken
Follow
Blow Me Away
So Cold
You
Evil Angel
Failure
Red Cold River
Blood
Dear Agony
Dance With the Devil
Polyamorous
Without You
Until the End
Breath
I Will Not Bow
The Diary of Jane
.
Opening the evening was Return to Dust, an upcoming rock band from Los Angeles formed in 2022. They played a well-received, high-energy set that effectively warmed up the crowd and won over a few fans on this evening. The band features Graham Stanush – bass, vocals, Matt Joseph (vocals/guitar), Sebastian Gonzales (guitar), and Josh Gonzalez (drums). Their current single, “Bored,” was released on June 20, 2025, and has been gaining traction on rock radio. With a sound rooted in grunge and alternative metal with an old school attitude, Return to Dust is already establishing themselves as a rising force in modern rock. For more on Return to Dust visit https://www.returntodust.com/
Overall, this was a great evening of hard rock on a beautiful end-of-summer night in Western New York. Return to Dust, Three Days Grace, and Breaking Benjamin each delivered distinct, high-impact sets that showcased their strengths and connected with the crowd in different ways. From the raw energy of the opener to the aggressive punch of Three Days Grace and the emotionally charged precision of Breaking Benjamin, the lineup offered something for every modern rock fan in attendance. With over 13,000 people filling the venue, it was clear that fans got their money’s worth—and then some. For Buffalo’s rock community, this show was a fitting sendoff to summer and a reminder of the enduring power of hard rock.
Thomas S. Orwat Jr.
RockMusicStar.com 
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