Been Away Too Long cover

Been Away Too Long

Soundgarden · 2012

3 min · 1 track · alternative rock

A gritty and powerful return, melding heavy riffs with Chris Cornell's soaring vocals in a display of grunge revival.

Spotify Apple Music
Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Been Away Too Long — The track encapsulates Soundgarden's signature sound with its heavy guitar work and introspective lyrics, representing a bold comeback after years away.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The single effectively blends heavy riffs with strong vocals, marking a solid return for the band after years away.

What we noticed

  • The track features a heavy, distorted guitar riff that drives the song forward, complemented by dynamic shifts in intensity.
  • The song structure follows a traditional verse-chorus format but includes a bridge that introduces a contrasting melody.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

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.

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Marks Soundgarden's return after a long hiatus, showcasing their enduring relevance.
Themes
grunge revival· midlife reflection· longing for connection
Career context
When 'Been Away Too Long' was released in 2012, Soundgarden was reestablishing itself after a 16-year hiatus following their breakup in 1997. This single marked their first new material since the reunion, showcasing their enduring influence in the rock landscape.
New to Soundgarden? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Been Away Too Long 3:37

What to play next

King Animal
Listen next

King Animal

2012

Continues the gritty sound and energy, expanding on themes from Been Away Too Long.
Telephantasm
Go back to

Telephantasm

2010

Sets the stage for the return with a mix of classic hits and newer material.
Full Soundgarden discography Where to start with Soundgarden Artists like Soundgarden
alternative rock hard rock heavy metal

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Black Gives Way to Blue

Black Gives Way to Blue

Alice in Chains

Explores themes of loss and longing with heavy riffs and haunting melodies reminiscent of grunge's emotional depth.

Wasting Light

Wasting Light

Foo Fighters

Combines powerful guitar work with introspective lyrics, echoing the grunge revival spirit and midlife reflection.

Stone Temple Pilots

Stone Temple Pilots

Stone Temple Pilots

Features a return to form with gritty soundscapes and personal themes, aligning with the essence of grunge nostalgia.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata