Soundgarden say they’re “pretty close” to finishing their long-awaited new album (built around vocal tracks from the late Chris Cornell)!
Back in May, on the eighth anniversary of Cornell’s passing, the band hinted they were shaping the songs written in the months before his death. That update came after settling a legal dispute with Cornell’s estate in 2023, clearing the way to use several unreleased tracks.
In a new conversation with Allison Hagendorf, the band confirmed the project is moving fast. They’re working with producer Terry Date (same guy behind Louder Than Love and Badmotorfinger) and say the material carries that unmistakable Soundgarden DNA.
“There are very familiar elements in this new music,” drummer Matt Cameron said. “A couple songs feel like they could’ve been the start of a new chapter. It’s exciting. It’s bittersweet.”
Cameron added that hearing Cornell’s isolated vocals still hits with overwhelming force, but the band is proud of what they’ve built: “We’re pretty close to finishing it. Having Terry back is huge.”
Bassist Ben Shepherd echoed that earlier this year, describing the emotional punch of hearing Cornell’s voice restored to full power. “It’s like a glacier falling off your chest.”
Cameron talked about the emotional weight of working with Cornell’s vocals, “He’s not with us, and he left in a way that still leaves questions.”
The band was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, performing with Cornell’s daughter as Jim Carrey delivered an off-the-rails, Seattle-grunge-era tribute.
Isn’t this wild? Who would have called a new Soundgarden album after Cornell’s passing? Damn. We are so lucky.
