On May 14, 2025, the iThink Amphitheater in West Palm Beach, Florida, came alive with a powerhouse lineup of Breaking Benjamin, Staind, Wage War, and Lakeview, a show rescheduled after last year’s hurricane postponement. Over 12,000 fans—packed the open-air venue, their anticipation crackling after the long delay.
Lakeview opened with their unique country-rock/metal blend, the dual singers trading gritty and melodic vocals over twangy riffs and metallic grooves. Their 30-minute set was a punchy icebreaker, warming the early evening crowd and setting a raw, rootsy tone.
Ocala’s Wage War brought hometown pride, their rap-infused metalcore sparking chaos. The two-vocalist dynamic—one unleashing screams, the other clean melodies—delivered a mix of hip-hop rhythms and crushing breakdowns. Their 40-minute set had the pit churning, fans roaring along to heavy tracks, cementing their status as a rising force.
As sunset painted the sky, Staind delivered their signature post-grunge sound, unchanged from their early 2000s peak. Aaron Lewis, cigarette in hand, mic gripped tight, left everything on stage, his weathered voice carrying raw emotion. The setlist kicked off with “Lowest in Me” and “Eyes Wide Open,” setting a heavy tone. Tracks like “Fade,” “Right Here,” and “Not Again” leaned into their brooding intensity, while “Epiphany” and “Something to Remind You” offered introspective pauses. “Wannabe” brought a gritty edge, but “Outside” was the night’s heart—12,000 phone lights glowed, voices uniting in a haunting chorus of “I’m on the outside…” until the final note. “Better Days” and “Paper Wings” cranked up the heaviness, the latter a sludgy standout. “So Far Away” and “For You” kept the momentum, leading to a short encore with “It’s Been Awhile,” a nostalgic gut-punch that left fans teary, goosebumps visible. Closing with “Mudshovel,” Staind earned thunderous applause, their set a masterclass in emotional and sonic weight.
Breaking Benjamin closed with a polished alt-metal set, their setlist a tight mix of anthems. “Failure” and “Evil Angel” opened with driving riffs, while “Red Cold River” and “Blow Me Away” kept the energy soaring. “Follow” and “So Cold” showcased Benjamin Burnley’s emotive vocals, the crowd singing along. “Dance With the Devil” and “Awaken” brought heavier grooves, and “Breath” and “Polyamorous” had the pit moving. “Without You” and “Dear Agony” slowed things down, highlighting their melodic side, before “Blood” and “I Will Not Bow” ramped up the aggression. “The Diary of Jane” sealed the set. Burnley’s voice and the band’s layered sound delivered a high-octane finish.
After a year’s delay, the night was a cathartic triumph, each band tapping into the crowd’s pent-up energy. Staind’s raw emotion and nostalgia carried the evening, Wage War and Lakeview proved the genre’s future, and Breaking Benjamin’s slick intensity capped it perfectly. This was a night of heavy music that hit hard and lingered long.
