Soundgarden King Animal Audio CD, First New Album Since 1996

Audio CD format makes King Animal a physical release for listeners building a Soundgarden collection or choosing a disc over a digital album.

Released in 2012, it marked the band’s first album of new material since Down on the Upside in 1996, following a long hiatus. Adam Kasper produced the album.

Chris Cornell performs vocals and guitar, Kim Thayil plays guitar, and Matt Cameron handles drums and percussion. The product details don’t specify a track list or disc count, so buyers looking for particular songs may want to check those details before choosing this edition.

Key features

King Animal is a studio album centered on Soundgarden’s return to recording new material. That context matters if you’re deciding between this release and a collection focused on the band’s earlier catalog: this is a later chapter, not simply a way to revisit the songs from the group’s previous era. The listed personnel include Cornell, Thayil, and Cameron, with Joe Barresi credited as audio mixer and Adam Kasper as producer.

The album’s debut single, “Been Away Too Long,” was presented as a preview of the release. That makes the record relevant to listeners curious about how the band approached new songs after years away, while the available details don’t establish a complete track sequence. Customer feedback is generally enthusiastic about the range of sounds, melodies, and production, with some listeners describing it as a strong return. Those are personal reactions rather than a guarantee that every track will suit every fan.

Tips for day-to-day use

As an Audio CD, this edition is suited to listening in a CD-based setup and keeping alongside other physical albums. It can also make sense for someone who prefers choosing and playing a complete album rather than building a listening session from individual digital tracks. The product details list dimensions of 6.02 x 5.63 x 0.2 inches and a weight of 2.05 ounces, they don’t clarify the packaging or provide care instructions, so there’s no basis here for specific storage or handling claims.

If you’re organizing a music shelf, the artist and album title provide the clearest way to identify this release. The first single can help orient listeners who know that song already, but it isn’t enough information to judge the full track selection. For a purchase based on specific songs, check the full track listing for the edition you’re considering.

Everyday use

This album fits a focused listening session for someone interested in Soundgarden’s later work, or a physical-music collection that follows the band beyond its earlier releases. A listener returning to the group’s catalog can use King Animal to hear the band’s post-hiatus material in album form, rather than choosing a greatest-hits-style overview. It suits you if you want that specific period of the band’s work on CD and value the album as a complete release.

Customer comments often highlight the musicality, production, and variety, though reactions to an album remain subjective. Some listeners say it takes a couple of listens to settle into the material, which is useful context if you expect a new record to feel immediately familiar. The listed details identify the format and contributors, but don’t give a full song list or a more detailed description of the sound.

Should you buy it?

King Animal makes the most sense for Soundgarden listeners who want the band’s first new studio album after its long break, or for collectors who prefer owning music on Audio CD. It offers a different buying purpose from a retrospective: the focus is on new material from the band’s return, not on covering its entire history. Not the best choice if you’re shopping for a particular song and need to confirm it from the details provided here, since no complete track list is included. If the comeback-era album itself is what you’re after, the format and recording context make this a clear, specific addition to consider.