What a Sound!
by Nicholas Sieban
Soundgarden is back and better than ever! After lineup changes, multiple tours and six albums, and a break, Soundgarden is back in the music scene.
In early November, Soundgarden released King Animal, their sixth album and their first studio album since Down on the Upside (1996). King Animal displays Soundgarden’s original sound mixed with some new and old aspects of grunge music.
King Animal has a lot of expectations to exceed. Because Soundgarden hasn’t released any albums in sixteen years, their fans are expecting a lot. So far, they have done a good job with this album. This album is a beautiful rendition of music that fans have been missing for so many years.
Soundgarden’s new album continues to expresses each member’s individual musical
brilliance. Vocalist and guitarist Chris Cornell can still belt out those glass breaking high notes. His lyrical genius continues to impress Soundgarden fans and new-found fans of the band. Lead guitarist Kim Thayil’s guitar skills are still high caliber. His riffs, his solos, and his guitar tones remind the listener of the band’s capability and the beauty of their music. Drummer Matt Cameron’s solid beats and his simple but original rhythms and fills all helps to tie Soundgarden’s music together. Bassist Ben Shepherd’s understanding of the bass guitar and his collaboration with Thayil brings Soundgarden to new levels as seen
with the song “Rowing."
After King Animal’s release, Soundgarden started their tour with multiple shows all over the country. Recently, Soundgarden played three shows in New York: one at Terminal Five and two at The Hammerstein Ballroom.
Attending Soundgarden’s concert their second night at Hammerstein brings a Soundgarden fan to bliss. The crowd was primed and ready to see Soundgarden. After a half-hour wait, Soundgarden came out to please the crowd for the next two and a half hours. Soundgarden started their set-list off strong with “Searching with my Good Eye Closed” from their 1991 album Badmotorfinger. As the night progressed, they kept the crowd guessing by playing songs from every single album they have recorded since 1988.
Soundgarden even played their new single “Live to Rise” which was featured on The
Avengers soundtrack.
Soundgarden is magnificent whenever they are playing live. Chris Cornell’s voice hasn’t faltered since their last tour and throughout the whole show, he kept a great tone. Kim Thayil was solid the whole night as his solos showed his skill and his passion for the guitar. Ben Shepherd was grooving on the bass guitar all night. Shepherd showed his
ingenuity on the bass guitar with an intense bass solo before the song “Rowing” and he was keeping the crowd going all night. Matt Cameron was keeping the band in line with his solid percussion and understanding of the band’s music.
Together these musicians made this concert a beautiful musical collaboration of all that Soundgarden is and all that Soundgarden stands for.
Soundgarden is back and better than ever! After lineup changes, multiple tours and six albums, and a break, Soundgarden is back in the music scene.
In early November, Soundgarden released King Animal, their sixth album and their first studio album since Down on the Upside (1996). King Animal displays Soundgarden’s original sound mixed with some new and old aspects of grunge music.
King Animal has a lot of expectations to exceed. Because Soundgarden hasn’t released any albums in sixteen years, their fans are expecting a lot. So far, they have done a good job with this album. This album is a beautiful rendition of music that fans have been missing for so many years.
Soundgarden’s new album continues to expresses each member’s individual musical
brilliance. Vocalist and guitarist Chris Cornell can still belt out those glass breaking high notes. His lyrical genius continues to impress Soundgarden fans and new-found fans of the band. Lead guitarist Kim Thayil’s guitar skills are still high caliber. His riffs, his solos, and his guitar tones remind the listener of the band’s capability and the beauty of their music. Drummer Matt Cameron’s solid beats and his simple but original rhythms and fills all helps to tie Soundgarden’s music together. Bassist Ben Shepherd’s understanding of the bass guitar and his collaboration with Thayil brings Soundgarden to new levels as seen
with the song “Rowing."
After King Animal’s release, Soundgarden started their tour with multiple shows all over the country. Recently, Soundgarden played three shows in New York: one at Terminal Five and two at The Hammerstein Ballroom.
Attending Soundgarden’s concert their second night at Hammerstein brings a Soundgarden fan to bliss. The crowd was primed and ready to see Soundgarden. After a half-hour wait, Soundgarden came out to please the crowd for the next two and a half hours. Soundgarden started their set-list off strong with “Searching with my Good Eye Closed” from their 1991 album Badmotorfinger. As the night progressed, they kept the crowd guessing by playing songs from every single album they have recorded since 1988.
Soundgarden even played their new single “Live to Rise” which was featured on The
Avengers soundtrack.
Soundgarden is magnificent whenever they are playing live. Chris Cornell’s voice hasn’t faltered since their last tour and throughout the whole show, he kept a great tone. Kim Thayil was solid the whole night as his solos showed his skill and his passion for the guitar. Ben Shepherd was grooving on the bass guitar all night. Shepherd showed his
ingenuity on the bass guitar with an intense bass solo before the song “Rowing” and he was keeping the crowd going all night. Matt Cameron was keeping the band in line with his solid percussion and understanding of the band’s music.
Together these musicians made this concert a beautiful musical collaboration of all that Soundgarden is and all that Soundgarden stands for.
