Aurora (Breaking Benjamin album)

Aurora
Compilation album by
Breaking Benjamin
ReleasedJanuary 24, 2020 (2020-01-24)
Recorded2019
Genre
Length40:12
LabelHollywood
ProducerBen Burnley
Breaking Benjamin chronology
Ember
(2018) 		Aurora
(2020)
Singles from Aurora
  1. "Far Away"
    Released: December 6, 2019
  2. "Dear Agony (Aurora Version)"
    Released: April 15, 2020
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Sputnikmusic2.2/5[2]

Aurora is a compilation album by American rock band Breaking Benjamin, released on January 24, 2020. The album is a collection of reimagined versions of previously released songs, plus one new song.[3] This is their final album with Hollywood Records.

Background

[edit]

Details of the album were first reported in October 2019, that it would contain reworked versions of some of the band's biggest hits over the years.[4] It also includes one new song, the lead single "Far Away" featuring Scooter Ward from Cold, which was released on December 6, 2019.[5][6] The album also includes guest appearances from Lacey Sturm (formerly of Flyleaf), Michael Barnes of Red, Adam Gontier of Saint Asonia and Three Days Grace, and Spencer Chamberlain of Underoath.[citation needed]

Composition

[edit]

Aurora makes use of acoustic guitars,[3][7] orchestral strings and piano,[6][8][9] resulting in an acoustic rock and symphonic rock sound. The album is also described as post-grunge[10] and retains hard rock elements on "So Cold", "Failure", "Red Cold River", "Tourniquet", "Never Again", and "Torn in Two".[7][8][9]

"Dance with the Devil" is noted for "sounding more folky",[9] and "Tourniquet" retains Benjamin Burnley's "aggressive growl" during the chorus.[6]

Track listing

[edit]
Aurora track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."So Cold"
4:33
2."Failure" (featuring Michael Barnes)Burnley3:38
3."Far Away" (featuring Scooter Ward)Burnley4:52
4."Angels Fall"Burnley3:46
5."Red Cold River" (featuring Spencer Chamberlain)
3:19
6."Tourniquet"
4:22
7."Dance with the Devil" (featuring Adam Gontier)
  • Burnley
  • Klepaski
3:44
8."Never Again"
  • Burnley
  • Wallen
  • Rauch
3:42
9."Torn in Two"Burnley4:05
10."Dear Agony" (featuring Lacey Sturm)Burnley4:16
Total length:40:12

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from album's liner notes.[11]

Breaking Benjamin
  • Ben Burnley – vocals, guitar, producer
  • Jasen Rauch – guitar, additional vocal engineering (track 2)
  • Keith Wallen – guitar
  • Aaron Bruch – bass
  • Shaun Foist – drums

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Aurora
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[12] 8
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[13] 56
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[14] 73
UK Album Sales (OCC)[15] 95
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[16] 33
US Billboard 200[17] 29
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[18] 3
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[19] 1
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[20] 1

References

[edit]
  1. ^ AllMusic
  2. ^ sputnik
  3. ^ a b Kornelis, Chris (January 20, 2020). "The Chart-Topping Rock Band You've Never Heard Of". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on January 20, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ^ Erickson, Anne (October 28, 2019). "Breaking Benjamin reimagine their big hits with special guests on new album Aurora". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  5. ^ "Listen to Breaking Benjamin's New Song "Far Away" Featuring Scooter Ward of Cold". Music Mayhem Magazine. December 6, 2019. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c DeWald, Mike (January 22, 2020). "Breaking Benjamin reimagines the past on acoustic 'Aurora'". Riff Magazine. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Andujar, Samantha (January 25, 2020). "Spill Album Review: Breaking Benjamin – Aurora". The Spill Magazine. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Blue, Jeannie (January 22, 2020). "Breaking Benjamin – Aurora (Album Review)". Cryptic Rock. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c Bevan, Laura (January 28, 2020). "Breaking Benjamin: Aurora – Review". Vinyl Chapters. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  10. ^ John Cummins, Richard (January 28, 2020). "Breaking Benjamin – 'Aurora' Album Review". Music Matters Media. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  11. ^ Aurora (booklet). Hollywood. 2020.
  12. ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Digital Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  13. ^ "Breaking Benjamin Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  14. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Breaking Benjamin – Aurora" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  15. ^ "Official Albums Sales Chart". Official Charts Company. January 31, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  16. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart". Official Charts Company. January 31, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  17. ^ "Breaking Benjamin Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  18. ^ "Breaking Benjamin Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  19. ^ "Breaking Benjamin Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  20. ^ "Breaking Benjamin Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
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