Soundgarden’s surviving members have confirmed they are close to finishing a final album featuring unreleased vocals recorded with Chris Cornell before his death in 2017. In a conversation with Allison Hagendorf, guitarist Kim Thayil, drummer Matt Cameron, and bassist Ben Shepherd described working with longtime producer Terry Date, whose approach they believe allows the band’s identity to remain intact.
Thayil praised Date for never forcing his own style on artists, calling him a collaborator who “helps the band be the band.” The group said the unfinished recordings initially sounded like rough demos, but as they built new parts around Cornell’s vocals, the music transformed into something distinctly Soundgarden again.
Cameron said the material includes familiar elements but also hints at a direction the band may have explored if Cornell had lived. Hearing Cornell’s isolated voice in the studio has been both rewarding and painful, he admitted, calling the process “a massive emotional roller coaster.” Shepherd recalled the first time he heard the sessions come together: “It hit like, ‘That’s Soundgarden again.’”
The project’s delay stemmed in part from a lengthy legal dispute with Cornell’s widow, Vicky Cornell, over ownership of the final recordings. The conflict was resolved in 2023, allowing the band to resume work. Thayil reflected on how the yearslong pause altered the emotional journey, saying it is “both unfortunate and beautiful” to complete the album now, with a deeper sense of tribute to Cornell.
Soundgarden was recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025, with Cornell, Thayil, Cameron, Shepherd, and original bassist Hiro Yamamoto included. Cameron revealed one track on the new record, “The Road Less Traveled,” features lyrics and arrangements Cornell finalized in 2016 and blends the band’s signature heaviness with blues, psychedelic, and folk influences.
While the band has not decided whether the new songs will ever be performed live, Cameron said guest singers have expressed interest. For now, the trio remains focused on finishing the album Cornell helped start. Thayil called the project a gift to the fans—and “a gift to Chris too.”
SOURCE: BlabberMouth