Soundgarden: Heavy Grunge Architects with a Sonic Roar
Soundgarden. Formation and Early Identity
Soundgarden was formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984, and is considered one of the pioneering bands of the grunge movement, predating Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains.
Soundgarden. Founding members:
- Chris Cornell – Vocals, drums (initially), later only vocals
- Kim Thayil – Guitar
- Hiro Yamamoto – Bass
- Matt Cameron – Drums (joined in 1986; later also of Pearl Jam)
Cornell’s four-octave vocal range and Thayil’s unorthodox guitar tunings gave Soundgarden a heavy, doomy yet melodic sound — a blend of Sabbathian metal, punk, and psychedelic rock.
Soundgarden. Early Albums and Sub Pop Roots (1987–1989)
Soundgarden was the first grunge band signed to a major label, but their early work was rooted in the independent Seattle scene.
✦ Screaming Life/Fopp (1987–88) – EPs on Sub Pop
Raw, primal, and foundational grunge.
✦ Ultramega OK (1988)
- Released on SST Records
- Earned a Grammy nomination
- Tracks: “Flower,” “Beyond the Wheel”
- Experimental, sludgy, and fiercely underground
✦ Louder Than Love (1989)
- Major label debut (A&M Records)
- Tracks like “Hands All Over” and “Big Dumb Sex”
- Heavier and more aggressive, but banned in some outlets for lyrical content
Soundgarden. Breakthrough and Mainstream Success (1991–1994)
✦ Badmotorfinger (1991)
Released the same year as Nevermind, this album established Soundgarden as metal/grunge titans.
Highlights:
- “Rusty Cage” – Covered later by Johnny Cash
- “Outshined” – Known for the line “I’m looking California and feeling Minnesota”
- “Jesus Christ Pose” – Controversial and confrontational
Touring with Guns N’ Roses, Skid Row, and Metallica exposed them to larger audiences. They earned another Grammy nomination and critical acclaim.
Soundgarden. Peak of Power: Superunknown (1994)
Their masterpiece and commercial zenith, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200.
- A blend of grunge, psychedelia, metal, and art rock
- Themes: alienation, substance abuse, mortality, and the subconscious
Iconic tracks:
- “Black Hole Sun” – Grammy-winning, surreal video
- “Spoonman” – Featuring actual spoons, Grammy winner
- “Fell on Black Days” – Dark, introspective
- “The Day I Tried to Live” – Existential and melodic
Superunknown sold 9 million+ copies worldwide and cemented Soundgarden’s place in rock history.
Final Studio Album and First Breakup (1996–1997)
✦ Down on the Upside (1996)
More experimental, diverse, and melodic — but tensions grew.
Tracks:
- “Pretty Noose”
- “Burden in My Hand”
- “Blow Up the Outside World”
Despite success, internal conflicts led to their breakup in 1997, with members citing fatigue and creative differences.
Reunions and Final Years (2010–2017)
Soundgarden reunited in 2010, to widespread fan enthusiasm.
✦ King Animal (2012)
- First album in 16 years
- Tracks: “Been Away Too Long,” “By Crooked Steps”
- Well-received for preserving their signature sound
They continued touring, including co-headlining festivals and influencing a new generation.
Tragic End: Death of Chris Cornell (2017)
On May 18, 2017, Chris Cornell died by suicide after a concert in Detroit. His death was a shock to the rock world, as he was still creatively active and beloved.
Following Cornell’s death, the band effectively disbanded.
Legacy and Influence
Soundgarden is known for:
- Blending metal’s heaviness with grunge’s angst and complexity
- Chris Cornell’s powerful, operatic voice
- Kim Thayil’s nontraditional riffs and drop tunings
- Writing emotionally intense, musically complex rock music
Accolades:
- 2 Grammy Awards (1995)
- Over 30 million albums sold worldwide
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame eligibility gained in 2013, but not yet inducted
- Regarded as one of the “Big Four” grunge bands, alongside Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains
Influenced artists:
- Tool, Deftones, System of a Down
- Queens of the Stone Age
- Mastodon
- Muse (in vocal phrasing and dynamics)
Interesting Facts
- Soundgarden was named after a Seattle art installation
- Cornell recorded Temple of the Dog in tribute to Andrew Wood (Mother Love Bone), with members of Pearl Jam
- “Black Hole Sun” was almost not released as a single, but became their most enduring song
- The band was tightly opposed to being pigeonholed, often distancing themselves from the “grunge” label
