[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in7p-M0Re3E[/youtube]
Just a few weeks after they were joined onstage by original singer Dimitri Minakakis in NYC, The Dillinger Escape Plan had another mini reunion in Norfolk, VA last night (November 28). This time, though, it was with former guitarist Brian Benoit, who joined the band onstage to perform the song “43% Burnt.”
“Brian Benoit onstage tonight for the first time in six years. I just had to turn around and watch him. Presence through and through,” singer Greg Puciato revealed via Twitter about being joined onstage by Benoit, who left the band in 2004 following the release of Miss Machine due to nerve damage in his hand. Interestingly enough, the band has always left the door open for Benoit to return in the event he’s able to perform live. And though Jeff Tuttle is currently in the band as rhythm guitarist, Ben Weinman has been the only guitar player on most of The Dillinger Escape Plans’ releases since Benoit’s departure.
So could this be a sign that Benoit will be returning to the band soon? Well before letting speculation run wild, Puciato tweeted “To clarify…Brian’s left hand is emaciated from nerve damage and he can’t play a full set, but he came onstage tonight for 43% Burnt.” So while Benoit may not be coming back on the road any time soon, it’s still great to see him back onstage with The Dillinger Escape Plan. You can watch fan filmed footage of the performance above.
