Ben Rankin is a singer-songwriter from Canberra, Australia, known for blending rock and metal influences with pop sensibilities inspired by artists like Ed Sheeran and Lewis Capaldi. Independent and self-produced, he collaborates with local talents such as Machine on a Break, crafting a sound shaped by bands including Asking Alexandria, Black Veil Brides, I Prevail, The Devil Wears Prada, and Bullet for My Valentine. His music balances homage to these influences with his own unique style, highlighting versatility and creative ambition. Ben has released multiple albums and EPs, notably his 2024 album Welcome To My House, which fuses high-energy metal tracks with acoustic ballads, demonstrating his wide-ranging musicality and establishing him as a rising talent in the contemporary music scene.
Ben Rankin’s fifth studio album, “In Memoriam”, released on 27th February 2026 in Canberra, Australia, represents a pivotal evolution in his musical career. This album stands as a reflective and forward-looking work, serving as a farewell to his past creations while embracing a fresh artistic chapter. Crafted entirely in his home studio, the record exudes a raw, DIY authenticity that allows Rankin’s personality and artistic vision to shine through with an intimate and unfiltered quality. “In Memoriam” demonstrates Rankin’s dedication to growth, particularly in his effort to craft catchy choruses while exploring a more human, imperfect feel in the recordings, a deliberate move away from overly polished production. The album’s soundscape blends metalcore-influenced rock with contemporary dynamics, balancing heavy, aggressive instrumentation with moments of melodic vulnerability.
This tension amplifies the album’s central themes of self-reflection, resilience, and emotional catharsis. Lyrically, Rankin confronts universal struggles, including anxiety, depression, and personal transformation, yet still allows glimpses of love and hope, giving the album both depth and accessibility. Technically, Rankin expands his musical palette, incorporating 7-string guitars to add weight and texture, while maintaining his signature energetic drive. The album’s emotional honesty, combined with inventive instrumentation and thoughtful songwriting, underscores his evolution as an artist. Overall, “In Memoriam” is a confident, heartfelt statement that captures Ben Rankin at a crossroads, both honoring his past and boldly stepping into a new creative identity, solidifying his place as a rising voice in contemporary rock and metal.
In Memoriam Album Track List:
Voices:
“Voices” opens In Memoriam with an intense internal battle, immediately immersing the listener in Rankin’s psychological struggle. The lyrics; “Somebody exorcise the demons inside me” and “I’m killing all of the voices in my past”, place the theme of confronting personal demons and overcoming lingering guilt or trauma at the forefront. Musically, jagged guitar riffs and sharp percussive hits mirror the chaos of these inner conflicts, while spacious atmospheric pads reflect moments of introspection and clarity. Ben Rankin’s vocal delivery alternates between controlled intensity and raw emotional bursts, representing the duality of self-control and inner turmoil. The dynamic shifts from brooding verses to expansive choruses evoke the tension between past suffering and the desire for liberation. Layered harmonies in the background echo the multiplicity of “voices” he confronts, while reverb and delay create a sonic space that feels both claustrophobic and cathartic. Every element, rhythm, melody, and instrumentation, reinforces the theme of wrestling with inner conflict. “Voices” serves as a thematic gateway for the album, encapsulating the emotional weight of past experiences and setting the stage for the personal growth that unfolds across subsequent tracks.
Save Your Tears:
In “Save Your Tears,” Ben Rankin channels frustration and empowerment, making the theme of emotional release central. Lyrics like “I’m sick and tired of being scared to death,” “Tryna close the walls on you tonight, while we lead the way to find our lives,” and “I can’t go on in this life, your words can’t save me tonight, save your tears” explore the struggle of breaking free from fear, toxic influence, and emotional paralysis. Musically, the song balances gritty, distorted guitar riffs with crisp drum patterns, emphasizing the urgency and intensity of this liberation. The verses convey vulnerability through measured pacing, while the chorus erupts with melodic power, signaling an emotional breakthrough. Ben Rankin’s vocals oscillate between anguished confession and assertive declaration, mirroring the lyrical journey from suppressed pain to empowerment. Ambient textures in the background soften the aggression, suggesting moments of introspection amid defiance. Harmonically, the layering of guitars and vocal harmonies enhances the emotional catharsis, reinforcing the message that personal growth requires confronting fear directly. The track’s production, punchy percussion, layered instrumentation, and carefully placed melodic counterpoints, ensures that the theme resonates as both an emotional and sonic statement. “Save Your Tears” stands as a declaration of self-determination and resilience.
Rewind (feat. Machine on a Break):
“Rewind” explores the complexity of revisiting the past while emphasizing the necessity of progression. Lyrics such as “Life was easier when I still forgot your name,” “So we clearly closed a door, now you back and want some more, is your ego on the floor, and I and I know,” and “You can’t say I didn’t try, it was you who made me cry, don’t pretend you don’t know why” place the track’s theme squarely on closure, accountability, and emotional growth. Musically, the song employs rhythmic propulsion and layered guitar textures to mirror the tension between desire to relapse into old patterns and the determination to move forward. Machine on a Break’s contributions add contrasting textures, highlighting the dialogue between past entanglements and present resolve. Rankin’s vocals shift between reflective verses and emphatic choruses, underlining the struggle of reconciling past pain with self-assertion. The interplay of melody and rhythmic tension enhances the emotional narrative, while ambient synth layers and harmonized backing vocals provide depth to the theme of breaking cycles. Each musical decision, from dynamics to tonal shifts, serves the storytelling, transforming personal reflection into a relatable emotional journey. “Rewind” captures the struggle of releasing old wounds while asserting one’s present and future agency.
With You:
“With You” is an intimate exploration of uncertainty, emotional fragility, and the yearning for guidance in relational complexity. Lyrics such as “I’m running in circles again, and I don’t know exactly how this sounds, is this real or a dream,” “Tell me what I have to do, and if my heart is beating true, I’ll never know if where I’ll end, so please tell me,” and “Can I put an end to this tonight, and everything would be alright, you can lift me up and put me down” anchor the track’s thematic focus on vulnerability, indecision, and the desire for clarity in love or connection. Musically, the arrangement is spacious, featuring clean guitar lines and subtle percussion that create a contemplative backdrop, allowing Rankin’s nuanced vocals to convey emotional tension. Phrasing and tonal shifts in the chorus reflect the oscillation between hope and doubt, while ambient synth textures emphasize a dreamlike, uncertain emotional space. The restraint in instrumentation mirrors the fragility of trust, while melodic harmonies highlight moments of emotional clarity and connection. Every musical element, from rhythm to tone, serves to amplify the core theme: navigating the delicate balance between openness and protection in relationships. “With You” closes this quartet of tracks with a profound sense of intimacy, presenting both the vulnerability and courage inherent in emotional honesty.
In Memoriam Is A Bold, Heartfelt Journey Through Growth, Reflection, And Resilience, Where Ben Rankin Transforms Past Struggles Into Powerful Music That Resonates Deeply And Inspires Fearless Renewal.
~ Daniel (Dulaxi Team)
“In Memoriam” solidifies Ben Rankin’s evolution as an artist, delivering a compelling blend of raw intensity, melodic depth, and emotional authenticity. The album’s fearless exploration of personal growth, resilience, and self-reflection resonates universally, offering listeners a journey that is both cathartic and inspiring. Rankin’s meticulous attention to detail, combined with his DIY ethos and innovative use of instrumentation, makes this release a standout in modern rock and metal. This album isn’t just heard, it’s felt, challenging listeners to reflect, connect, and lose themselves in its powerful intensity. Whether you crave cathartic release, inspiring resilience, or sheer musical craftsmanship, “In Memoriam” delivers it all. Let yourself be swept into Rankin’s world; it’s a journey of sound and emotion you won’t want to end.
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