Editing Breaking Benjamin (section)

===''Dear Agony'' (2009–2010)===
{{Main|Dear Agony{{!}}''Dear Agony''}}
[[File:Breaking Benjamin 2010-01-30 Fort Wayne.JPG|thumb|Breaking Benjamin performing in Fort Wayne, Indiana in January 2010]]
Breaking Benjamin began working on a fourth album, titled ''[[Dear Agony]]'', in 2009. It was the first album Burnley wrote while completely sober.{{sfn|Lipshutz|2009}} In 2007, Burnley experienced fatigue and [[phosphene]]s following three consecutive days of no sleep and heavy drinking, after which he decided to remain [[Sobriety|sober]].{{sfn|Wiederhorn|2015}} Burnley acknowledged an improved clarity and coherence within ''Dear Agony'' due to his sobriety.{{sfn|Florino|2010}} The album cover features Burnley's [[Magnetic resonance imaging|brain scan]], representing the recurrent themes on ''Dear Agony'' related to the singer's chronic illnesses caused by alcohol consumption.{{sfn|Lipshutz|2009}}

Burnley collaborated with then-Red guitarist [[Jasen Rauch]] on various tracks for ''Dear Agony'': The two equally wrote together the songs "Without You" and "Hopeless", and Rauch wrote the outro for "I Will Not Bow", also helping write "Lights Out".{{sfn|Lello|2009}} Burnley said of the collaboration, "I love writing with him because he does stuff exactly like I would've done," adding, "writing-wise, we're like the same person."{{sfn|Lello|2009}}

''Dear Agony'' was released on September 9, 2009, and peaked at No. 4 on the ''Billboard'' 200.{{sfn|Billboard 200}} The disc initially outsold its predecessor in its first week, moving more than 134,000 copies.{{sfn|Bishop|2014}} It ultimately achieved gold certification on February 16, 2010.{{sfn|RIAA}} The album's lead single "[[I Will Not Bow]]" reached No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock Songs chart,{{sfn|Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs}} and went platinum on November 24, 2015.{{sfn|RIAA}} The other two singles, "[[Lights Out (Breaking Benjamin song)|Lights Out]]" and "[[Give Me a Sign]]", peaked at No. 9{{sfn|Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs 100904}} and No. 6{{sfn|Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs 100417}} on the Mainstream Rock Songs chart, respectively (the latter of which also receiving a gold certification on November 24, 2015).{{sfn|RIAA}}

Breaking Benjamin toured in support of the album in January and February 2010 with Three Days Grace and [[Flyleaf (band)|Flyleaf]],{{sfn|Ultimate Guitar|2010}} then with Red, [[Chevelle (band)|Chevelle]], and [[Thousand Foot Krutch]] in March 2010.{{sfn|Tunelab|2010}} In April, Breaking Benjamin began touring with [[Nickelback]], [[Shinedown]], and [[Sick Puppies]] on their [[Dark Horse Tour]].{{sfn|Morentin|2010}} Prior to the last show of the Dark Horse Tour, Burnley stated he was ill and therefore no longer able to tour in support of the album, placing the band on hiatus.{{sfn|Sisak|2011}} After internet rumors began to circulate that the band had broken up, Burnley released a statement "officially letting everyone know that Breaking Benjamin has not broken up".{{sfn|Sisak|2011}}

''Dear Agony'' received mixed critical reception. AllMusic's James Monger gave the album a positive review, stating it "feels a lot like their first three", noting a consistency that "feels like a well-oiled machine".{{sfn|Monger|2009}} The disc received a negative review from [[Consequence of Sound]]'s Alex Young, who complained of over-production and the disc's sell-out nature at the hands of three-time Breaking Benjamin producer David Bendeth: "Dear Agony is the unfortunate side effect of a trend in 'producer' David Bendeth's world, training wild chimpanzees to be more tasteful whilst handling silverware", ultimately giving the record a half-star "for teaching Breaking Benjamin's peers who not to hire for production credit".{{sfn|Young|2009}} [[About.com|About Entertainment]] gave the record a mixed review, feeling that "though it lacks the breakthrough singles of ''Phobia'', ''Dear Agony'' does have its moments", adding, "frustratingly, ''Dear Agony'' never reaches greatness, settling for an admirable competency that's still the envy of many of their contemporaries".{{sfn|Grierson|2009}}