Aurora
Breaking Benjamin · 2020
40 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
A haunting blend of atmospheric melodies and powerful vocals, reflecting the band's signature post-grunge sound with emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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So Cold Start here — This track captures the essence of Breaking Benjamin's sound with its mix of heavy guitar riffs and emotionally charged lyrics, making it a standout from their earlier catalog.
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Failure — With its anthemic chorus and themes of resilience, 'Failure' encapsulates the struggle against adversity, which resonates throughout the album.
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Dear Agony — 'Dear Agony' explores deep emotional pain and vulnerability, showcasing the band's ability to blend heavy instrumentation with introspective lyrics.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's reimagined tracks offer a fresh take but may not fully resonate as standalone pieces.
What we noticed
- The album features re-recordings of previously released tracks, with new arrangements that emphasize atmospheric instrumentation.
- Vocals are layered with harmonies that create a haunting effect, particularly in the choruses of several songs.
- The pacing varies, with some tracks maintaining a steady mid-tempo while others build to climactic moments, creating dynamic shifts throughout.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady emotional crescendos throughout
- haunting melodies for introspection
- engaging narrative of struggle
- for evening reflection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
- seek standalone hit songs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Revitalizes classic hits, showcasing continued creativity and appeal post-2018.
- Career context
- Released in 2020, 'Aurora' serves as a reimagining of Breaking Benjamin's earlier work, following their successful album 'Dark Before Dawn' from 2015. This album arrives during a period of revitalization for the band after overcoming lineup changes and personal struggles over the years.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Three Days Grace· Seether· Shinedown
Tracklist
- 1 So Cold Start here 4:32
- 2 Failure 3:37
- 3 Far Away 4:52
- 4 Angels Fall 3:46
- 5 Red Cold River 3:19
- 6 Tourniquet 4:21
- 7 Dance With the Devil 3:44
- 8 Never Again 3:42
- 9 Torn in Two 4:04
- 10 Dear Agony 4:15
What to play next
Ember
2018
It continues the atmospheric and emotional themes with a dynamic sound.
Dark Before Dawn
2015
This album sets up the emotional depth and sonic elements found in Aurora.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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