View source for Soundgarden

{{Short description|American rock band}}
{{Redirect|Sound Garden|the art installation|A Sound Garden{{!}}''A Sound Garden''}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Soundgarden
| background        = group_or_band
| image             = Soundgarden at Paramount Theatre.jpg
| image_size        = 
| landscape         = yes
| alt               = 
| caption           = Soundgarden performing in February 2013. From left to right: [[Kim Thayil]], [[Matt Cameron]], [[Chris Cornell]] and [[Ben Shepherd]].
| origin            = [[Seattle]], Washington, U.S.
| genre             = <!-- Do not add, remove or change genres without discussing on the talk page first. -->{{flatlist|
* [[Grunge]]
* [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]
* [[alternative metal]]
* {{nowrap|[[alternative rock]]}}
}}
| works             = {{hlist|[[Soundgarden discography|Discography]]|[[List of songs recorded by Soundgarden|songs]]}}
| years_active      = {{flatlist|
* 1984–1997
* 2010–2017
* 2019
* 2025<!-- Do not add "2024" here! They did not perform as Soundgarden in 2024. -->
}}
| label             = {{flatlist|
* [[Sub Pop]]
* [[SST Records|SST]]
* [[A&M Records|A&M]]
* [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]
* Seven Four
* [[Republic Records|Republic]]
* [[Vertigo Records|Vertigo]]
}}
| spinoffs          = {{flatlist|
* [[Audioslave]]
* [[Hater (band)|Hater]]
* [[Temple of the Dog]]
* [[Wellwater Conspiracy]]
}}
| module            = {{Infobox
| child             = yes
| title             = '''Logo'''
| headerstyle       = background:#b0c4de
| data2             = [[File:Soundgarden-logo.svg|200px]]
}}
| past_members      =
* [[Kim Thayil]]
* [[Chris Cornell]]
* [[Matt Cameron]]
* [[Hiro Yamamoto]]
* [[Scott Sundquist]]
* [[Jason Everman]]
* [[Ben Shepherd]]
| website           = {{URL|soundgardenworld.com}}
| alias             = Nudedragons (2010)
}}

'''Soundgarden''' was an American [[Rock music|rock]] band formed in [[Seattle|Seattle, Washington]], in 1984 by singer and drummer [[Chris Cornell]], lead guitarist [[Kim Thayil]], and bassist [[Hiro Yamamoto]]. Cornell switched to rhythm guitar in 1985, replaced on drums initially by Scott Sundquist, and later by [[Matt Cameron]] in 1986. Yamamoto left in 1989 and was replaced initially by [[Jason Everman]] and shortly thereafter by [[Ben Shepherd]]. Soundgarden disbanded in 1997 and reformed in 2010. Following Cornell's death in 2017, Thayil declared in October 2018 that Soundgarden had disbanded a second time. The surviving members of the band have continued to occasionally work together since then, including reuniting for a one-off concert in tribute to Cornell in January 2019,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.93x.com/2019/01/22/watch-soundgardens-complete-chris-cornell-tribute-set/|title=Watch Soundgarden's Complete Chris Cornell Tribute Set|website=[[KXXR|93X]]|date=January 22, 2019|access-date=July 19, 2022}}</ref> and again in December 2024 for a benefit concert in Seattle, with Shaina Shepherd on vocals, under the [[anagram]] '''Nudedragons'''.<ref name="nudedragons24">{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/events/soundgarden-members-to-reunite-for-benefit-show-with-shaina-shepherd-on-vocals/ |title=SOUNDGARDEN members to reunite for benefit show with SHAINA SHEPHERD on vocals |date=December 4, 2024 |magazine=[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]]}}</ref>

Soundgarden was one of the pioneers of [[grunge]] music, a style of [[alternative rock]] that developed in the American [[Pacific Northwest]] in the mid-1980s, and helped to popularize it in the early 1990s, alongside such Seattle contemporaries as [[Alice in Chains]], [[Pearl Jam]], and [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]. They were the first of a number of grunge bands to sign to the Seattle-based record label [[Sub Pop]], through which they released two [[Extended play|EP]]s: ''[[Screaming Life]]'' (1987) and ''[[Fopp (EP)|Fopp]]'' (1988). Soundgarden's debut album, ''[[Ultramega OK]]'', was also released in 1988 by the [[Los Angeles]]-based independent label [[SST Records]]; although the album did not sell well nationally, it garnered critical acclaim and the band's first [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] nomination. Soundgarden was the first grunge band to be signed to a major label when they signed to [[A&M Records]] in 1988. The release of their second album, ''[[Louder Than Love]]'' (1989), was the band's first album to enter the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart, peaking at number 108, and spawned two radio hits: "[[Hands All Over (Soundgarden song)|Hands All Over]]" and "[[Loud Love]]".

Soundgarden's third album, ''[[Badmotorfinger]]'' (1991), helped usher in the mainstream success of grunge. The album was buoyed by the success of the singles "[[Jesus Christ Pose]]", "[[Outshined]]", and "[[Rusty Cage]]", reached number 39 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and has been certified [[RIAA certification|double-platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA). The band's fourth album, ''[[Superunknown]]'' (1994), expanded their popularity; it debuted at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200 and yielded the Grammy Award-winning singles "[[Spoonman]]" and "[[Black Hole Sun]]". Soundgarden experimented with new sonic textures on their follow-up album ''[[Down on the Upside]]'' (1996), which debuted at number two on the ''Billboard'' 200 and spawned several hit singles of its own, including "[[Pretty Noose]]", "[[Burden in My Hand]]", and "[[Blow Up the Outside World]]". In 1997, the band broke up due to internal strife over its creative direction and exhaustion from touring. After more than a decade of working on projects and other bands, they reunited in 2010. [[Republic Records]] released their sixth and final studio album, ''[[King Animal]]'', in 2012.

By 2019, Soundgarden had sold more than 14 million records in the United States<ref name="riaa">{{cite web|url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Soundgarden&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526210337/http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Soundgarden&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 26, 2012 |title=Gold and Platinum Database Search  |work=[[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]  |access-date=February 12, 2007}}</ref> and an estimated 30 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/502068/09251998/soundgarden.jhtml |title=Ex-Soundgarden Singer Chris Cornell Plows Ahead With Solo Debut |date=September 25, 1998 |access-date=January 19, 2008 |author=Kaufman, Gil |publisher=[[VH1|VH1.com]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905000455/http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/502068/09251998/soundgarden.jhtml |archive-date=September 5, 2009 }}</ref> [[VH1]] ranked them at number 14 in their special, ''100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock'' list.<ref name="vh1 greatest"/> The band was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2025.<ref name="rr25">{{cite web |title=The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation unveils electrifying class of 2025 inductees |url=https://rockhall.com/press-release/the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-foundation-unveils-electrifying-class-of-2025-inductees/ |website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref>

==History==
===Formation and early recordings (1984–1988)===
[[File:Soundgarden live 1985.jpg|thumb|right|Soundgarden in 1985]]
Soundgarden's origin is a band called the Shemps, which had performed around Seattle in the early 1980s<ref name="history">{{cite book|last=Anderson|first=Kyle|title=Accidental Revolution|publisher=St. Martin's Griffin|location=New York|year=2007|isbn=978-0-312-35819-8|pages=[https://archive.org/details/accidentalrevolu0000ande/page/112 112–116]|url=https://archive.org/details/accidentalrevolu0000ande/page/112}}</ref> and included bassist [[Hiro Yamamoto]] and drummer and singer [[Chris Cornell]]. Following Yamamoto's departure, the band recruited guitarist [[Kim Thayil]] as its new bassist.<ref name="history"/> Thayil moved to Seattle from [[Park Forest, Illinois]], with Yamamoto and [[Bruce Pavitt]], who later started the independent record label [[Sub Pop]].<ref>[[Jim DeRogatis|DeRogatis, Jim]]. ''Milk It!: Collected Musings on the Alternative Music Explosion of the 90's''. Cambridge: Da Capo, 2003. {{ISBN|0-306-81271-1}}, pg. 69</ref> Cornell and Yamamoto stayed in contact, and after the Shemps broke up Cornell and Yamamoto started [[jam session|jamming]] together, and were eventually joined by Thayil.<ref name="history"/>

Soundgarden was formed in 1984 and included Cornell (drums <!--Cornell started on DRUMS for Soundgarden - please do not change this to "guitar"-->and vocals), Yamamoto (bass), and Thayil (guitar). The band named themselves after a wind-channeling pipe sculpture titled ''[[A Sound Garden]]'',<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Corcoran |first=Michael |date=December 1989 |title=Northwest of Hell |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=msdh3F68Q44C&pg=PA42 |magazine=SPIN |pages=42}}</ref> on [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] property at 7600 Sand Point Way, next to [[Magnuson Park (Seattle)|Magnuson Park]] in Seattle.<!-- When the band took their name, there wasn't a distinction between NOAA and Magnuson Park, but the Sound Garden is now fenced away from the park. --><ref>"Nirvana and the Story of Grunge". ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''. pg. 102. December 2005.</ref> Cornell originally played drums while singing, but in 1985 the band enlisted Scott Sundquist to allow Cornell to concentrate on vocals.<ref>George-Warren, Holly, Patricia Romanowski, and [[Jon Pareles]]. ''The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll''. Rolling Stone Press. 2001. {{ISBN|0-671-43457-8}}.</ref> The band traveled around playing various concerts with this lineup for about a year. Their first recordings were three songs that appeared on the 1986 compilation album for [[C/Z Records]] called ''[[Deep Six (album)|Deep Six]]'': "Heretic", "Tears to Forget" and "All Your Lies".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/deep-six-mw0000113240 |title=Deep Six - Various Artists |website=[[Allmusic]] |access-date=November 1, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228161020/http://www.allmusic.com/album/deep-six-mw0000113240 |archive-date=December 28, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> It also featured songs by fellow grunge pioneers [[Green River (band)|Green River]], [[Skin Yard]], [[Malfunkshun]], [[the U-Men]], and the [[Melvins]]. In 1986, Cornell's then-girlfriend and future wife, [[Susan Silver]] started managing Soundgarden.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qbr6WdsnLzQC&pg=RA10-PA20 |title=The Age of Innocents |date=September 17, 2011 |magazine=Billboard |page=20}}</ref> In the same year, Sundquist left the band to spend time with his family and was replaced by former Skin Yard drummer [[Matt Cameron]].<ref name="history"/>

[[File:Soundgarden (1987 Sub Pop promo photo).jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7|Soundgarden in 1987]]
A Soundgarden performance one night impressed [[KEXP-FM|KCMU]] DJ [[Jonathan Poneman]], who later said: "I saw this band that was everything rock music should be."<ref>[[Michael Azerrad|Azerrad, Michael]]. ''[[Our Band Could Be Your Life]]''. Little Brown and Company, 2001. {{ISBN|0-316-78753-1}}, pg. 422</ref> Poneman offered to fund a release by the band, so Thayil suggested he team up with Bruce Pavitt. Poneman offered to contribute $20,000 in funding for Sub Pop, effectively turning it into a full-fledged record label.<ref>[[Jim Berkenstadt|Berkenstadt, Jim]], and [[Charles R. Cross]]. ''Classic Rock Albums: Nevermind''. Schirmer, 1998. {{ISBN|0-02-864775-0}}, pg. 19</ref> Soundgarden signed to Sub Pop, and the label released "[[Hunted Down]]" in 1987 as the band's first single. The [[A-side and B-side|B-side]] of "Hunted Down", "Nothing to Say", appeared on the KCMU compilation tape ''Bands That Will Make Money'', which was distributed to record companies, many of whom showed interest in Soundgarden.<ref name="gilbert">Gilbert, Jeff. "Primecuts: Kim Thayil". ''Guitar School''. May 1994.</ref> Through Sub Pop, the band released the ''[[Screaming Life]]'' [[Extended play|EP]] in 1987, and the ''[[Fopp (EP)|Fopp]]'' EP in 1988, and a combination of the two, ''[[Screaming Life/Fopp]]'', in 1990.<ref>{{cite web|title=AllMusic ''Screaming Life/Fopp'' Review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r18514|pure_url=yes}}|website=[[AllMusic]]|author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|access-date=May 20, 2009}}</ref>

===''Ultramega OK'', major label signing, and ''Louder Than Love'' (1988–1990)===
Though major labels were courting the band, in 1988 they signed to the independent label [[SST Records]] for their debut album, ''[[Ultramega OK]]'', released on October 31, 1988. Cornell said the band "made a huge mistake with ''Ultramega OK''" because they used a producer suggested by SST who "didn't know what was happening in Seattle."<ref>"Yeah! I'm a Moody Bastard". ''[[Kerrang!]]''. August 19, 1995.</ref><ref>Alexander, Phil. "Soundgarden". ''[[Raw (music magazine)|Raw]]''. 1989.</ref> According to Steve Huey of [[AllMusic]], Soundgarden demonstrates a "[[The Stooges|Stooges]]/[[MC5]]-meets-[[Led Zeppelin|Zeppelin]]/[[Black Sabbath|Sabbath]] sound" on the album.<ref>{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ultramega-ok-mw0000202601|title=Ultramega OK|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103100919/http://www.allmusic.com/album/ultramega-ok-mw0000202601 |date=c. 2009|archive-date=January 3, 2013 |work=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=July 22, 2009}}</ref> [[Mark Miremont]] directed the band's first music video for "[[Flower (Soundgarden song)|Flower]]", which aired regularly on [[MTV]]'s ''[[120 Minutes]]''. Soundgarden promoted ''Ultramega OK'' on a tour in the United States in the spring of 1989, and a tour in Europe which began in May of that year—the band's first overseas tour.<ref>"Haughty Culture". ''[[Kerrang!]]''. April 8, 1989.</ref> ''Ultramega OK'' earned the band a [[Grammy Award]] nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance|Best Metal Performance]] in 1990.<ref name="latimes">{{cite news
 |url=http://theenvelope.latimes.com/factsheets/awardsdb/env-awards-db-search,0,7169155.htmlstory?searchtype=all&query=soundgarden 
 |title=Awards Database |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=August 2, 2008 |url-status=live
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713185338/http://theenvelope.latimes.com/factsheets/awardsdb/env-awards-db-search%2C0%2C7169155.htmlstory?searchtype=all&query=soundgarden |archive-date=July 13, 2011 }}</ref>

The band signed with [[A&M Records]] in mid-1988,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rocket-soundgarden/166381666/|title=Soundarden|first=Johnny|last=Renton|work=The Rocket|page=7|date=August 1, 1988}}</ref> which had caused a rift between Soundgarden and its traditional audience. Thayil said, "In the beginning, our fans came from the punk rock crowd. They abandoned us when they thought we sold out the punk tenets, getting on a major label and touring with [[Guns N' Roses]]. There were fashion issues and social issues, and people thought we no longer belonged to their scene, to their particular sub-culture."<ref>Gilbert, Jeff. "Soundgarden". ''[[Guitar World]]''. December 1995.</ref> The band began work on its first album for a major label, but personnel difficulties caused a shift in the band's songwriting process.  According to Cornell, "At the time Hiro [Yamamoto] excommunicated himself from the band and there wasn't a free-flowing system as far as music went, so I ended up writing a lot of it."<ref name="colour">"Colour Me Badmotorfinger!". ''[[Raw (music magazine)|Raw]]''. October 30, 1991.</ref> On September 5, 1989, the band released its debut major-label album, ''[[Louder Than Love]]'', which saw it take "a step toward the metal mainstream", according to Steve Huey of AllMusic, describing it as "a slow, grinding, detuned mountain of Sabbath/Zeppelin riffs and Chris Cornell wailing".<ref>{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/louder-than-love-mw0000205314|title=Louder Than Love|work=[[AllMusic]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112021611/http://www.allmusic.com/album/louder-than-love-mw0000205314|archive-date=November 12, 2012}}</ref> Because of some of the lyrics, most notably on "[[Hands All Over (Soundgarden song)|Hands All Over]]" and "Big Dumb Sex", the band faced various retail and distribution problems upon the album's release.<ref>Barber, Patrick. "Soundgarden". ''Pit''. 1990.</ref> ''Louder Than Love'' became Soundgarden's first album to chart on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], peaking at number 108,<ref name="US-albums">{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=soundgarden|chart=Billboard 200}} | title=Soundgarden – Chart History: Billboard 200 | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=February 28, 2013}}</ref> and it was also the first grunge album to enter that chart.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://calendar.songfacts.com/timeline/soundgarden/|title=Soungarden Timeline|website=calendar.songfacts.com|access-date=June 3, 2025}}</ref> This accomplishment was aided by two singles — "Hands All Over" and "[[Loud Love]]" — that gained the band exposure on MTV's ''[[Headbangers Ball]]'',<ref>{{cite web|title=Headbangers Ball- The Unofficial Tribute Site - Episode Database|url=https://www.headbangersballunofficialtributesite.com/episode-database|website=headbangersballunofficialtributesite.com|access-date=June 3, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209094443/https://www.headbangersballunofficialtributesite.com/episode-database|archive-date=2022-12-09}}</ref><ref>Gilbert, Jeff. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230209093954/http://web.stargate.net/soundgarden/articles/rocket_3-90.shtml "Big Ugly Truth"]. ''[[The Rocket (music magazine)|The Rocket]]''. March 1990.</ref> and [[mainstream rock]] radio stations outside of Seattle such as [[KBUE#KNAC|KNAC]], [[WMMS]], [[KLCA|KRZQ]], [[WWBX#WBCN|WBCN]], [[Z Rock]] and [[KISS-FM]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gill|first1=Chris|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/chris-cornell-kim-thayil-discuss-soundgardens-future|title=Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil Discuss Soundgarden's Future|website=[[Guitar World]]|date=March 30, 2011|access-date=June 3, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Hard-Report/1990/Hard-Rerport-1990-02-23.pdf|title=Radio Reports|work=The Hard Report|pages=50, 62–64|date=February 23, 1990}}</ref>

A month before touring for ''Louder Than Love'' was to begin, Yamamoto, who was becoming frustrated that he was not making much of a contribution,<ref>"How Does Your Garden Grow?" ''[[Sounds (magazine)|Sounds]]''. October 21, 1989.</ref> left the band to return to college.<ref name="loera">Loera, Carlos. "Soundgarden". ''Loud''. 1990.</ref> First the band played a few rehearsals with Jim Tillman from [[the U-Men]], but it did not work, and soon [[Jason Everman]], formerly of [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], officially replaced Yamamoto on bass.<ref name="prato">Greg Prato, ''Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music'', ECW Press, 2009</ref> The band toured North America from December 1989 to March 1990, opening for [[Voivod (band)|Voivod]], who were supporting their album ''[[Nothingface (Voivod album)|Nothingface]]'', with [[Faith No More]] and [[the Big F]] also as opening acts at the beginning and end of the tour.<ref name="loera"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Boehm |first1=Mike |author-link1=Mike Boehm |title=Big F Turns Back on Heavy Metal Fashion Mode |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-12-08-ca-396-story.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times|L.A. Times]] |date=December 8, 1989 |access-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307010747/http://articles.latimes.com/1989-12-08/entertainment/ca-396_1_heavy-metal |archive-date=March 7, 2016 }}</ref> The band also toured Europe. The band fired Everman in mid-1990 after completing its promotional tour for ''Louder Than Love''; Thayil said that "Jason just didn't work out."<ref name="neely">Neely, Kim. "Soundgarden: The Veteran Band from Seattle Proves There's Life After Nirvana". ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. July 9, 1992.</ref> ''Louder Than Love'' spawned the EP ''[[Loudest Love]]'' and the video compilation ''[[Louder Than Live]]'', both released in 1990.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}

===Established lineup, ''Badmotorfinger'', and rise in popularity (1990–1993)===
Bassist [[Ben Shepherd]] replaced Everman and the new lineup recorded Soundgarden's third album in 1991. Cornell said that Shepherd brought a "fresh and creative" approach to the recording sessions,<ref>"'Garden of Eden". ''[[Kerrang!]]''. August 31, 1991.</ref> and the band as a whole said that his knowledge of music and writing skills redefined the band.<ref name="neely"/> The band released the resulting album, ''[[Badmotorfinger]]'', on October 8, 1991.<ref name="udiscovermusic">{{cite web |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/badmotorfinger-soundgarden-album/ |title='Badmotorfinger': How Soundgarden's Third Album Pointed Towards Stardom |last=Peacock |first=Tim |access-date=18 September 2021}}</ref> Steve Huey of AllMusic said that the songwriting on ''Badmotorfinger'' "takes a quantum leap in focus and consistency." He added, "It's surprisingly cerebral and arty music for a band courting mainstream metal audiences."<ref>{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/badmotorfinger-mw0000265433|title=Badmotorfinger|work=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=July 22, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516171330/http://www.allmusic.com/album/badmotorfinger-mw0000265433|archive-date=May 16, 2017}}</ref> Thayil suggested that the album's lyrics are "like reading a novel [about] man's conflict with himself and society, or the government, or his family, or the economy, or anything."<ref>"Soundgarden". ''Guitar for the Practicing Musician''. December 1992.</ref> The first single from ''Badmotorfinger'', "[[Jesus Christ Pose]]", garnered attention when MTV decided to ban its music video in 1991.<ref name="gilbert"/> The song and its video outraged many listeners who perceived it as anti-Christian. The band received death threats while on tour in the United Kingdom in support of the album.<ref name="don'tcare">"I Don't Care About Performing for 20,000!". ''[[Raw (music magazine)|Raw]]''. September 15, 1993.</ref> Cornell explained that the lyrics criticize public figures who use religion (particularly the image of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]]) to portray themselves as being persecuted.<ref>Magnuson, Ann. "Sub Zep?". ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''. February 1992.</ref> Although eclipsed at the time of its release by the sudden popularity of Nirvana's ''[[Nevermind]]'', the focus of attention brought by ''Nevermind'' to the Seattle scene helped Soundgarden gain wider attention.<ref name="Erlewine">[[Stephen Thomas Erlewine|Erlewine, Stephen Thomas]]. "[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p5483|pure_url=yes}} Soundgarden]". [[AllMusic]]. Retrieved on June 13, 2005.</ref> The singles "[[Outshined]]" and "[[Rusty Cage]]" found an audience on [[alternative rock]] radio and MTV. ''Badmotorfinger'' was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1992,<ref name="latimes"/> and was among the 100 top-selling albums of the year.<ref>Lyons, James. ''Selling Seattle: Representing Contemporary Urban America''. Wallflower, 2004. {{ISBN|1-903364-96-5}}, pp. 136</ref>

Following the release of ''Badmotorfinger'', Soundgarden toured North American in October and November 1991.<ref name="colour"/> Afterward, [[Guns N' Roses]] selected the band as its opening act for their [[Use Your Illusion Tour|''Use Your Illusion'' tour]].<ref>Sherry, James. "Soundgarden". ''[[Metal Hammer]]''. December 1991.</ref> The band also opened for [[Skid Row (American band)|Skid Row]] in North America in February 1992 on their ''[[Slave to the Grind]]'' tour,<ref>Jones, Alison F. "Pounding for Pot: Soundgarden's Matt Cameron". ''[[High Times]]''. July 1992.</ref> and then headed to Europe for a month-long headlining theater tour.<ref name="neely"/> The band returned for a tour in the United States, and then rejoined Guns N' Roses in the summer of 1992 in Europe as part of the ''Use Your Illusion'' tour along with fellow opening act Faith No More.<ref name="neely"/> Describing opening for Guns N' Roses, Cornell said, "It wasn't a whole lot of fun going out in front of 40,000 people for 35 minutes every day. Most of them never heard our songs and didn't care about them. It was a bizarre thing."<ref name="don'tcare"/> The band played the 1992 [[Lollapalooza]] tour with the [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]], [[Pearl Jam]], [[Ministry (band)|Ministry]] and [[Ice Cube]] among others. In anticipation of the band's appearance at Lollapalooza, they released a limited edition of ''Badmotorfinger'' in 1992 with a second disc containing the EP ''Satanoscillatemymetallicsonatas'' (a [[palindrome]]), featuring Soundgarden's cover of [[Black Sabbath]]'s "[[Into the Void (Black Sabbath song)|Into the Void]]", titled "Into the Void ([[Chief Seattle|Sealth]])", which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1993.<ref name="latimes"/> The band released the video compilation ''[[Motorvision]]'', filmed at Seattle's [[Paramount Theatre (Seattle, Washington)|Paramount Theatre]] in 1992. The band appeared in the movie ''[[Singles (1992 film)|Singles]]'', performing "[[Birth Ritual]]". The song is included on [[Singles: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack|the soundtrack]], as is a Cornell solo song, "Seasons".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.spin.com/2017/05/chris-cornell-singles-soundgraden-ep-cameron-crowe/ |title=Rare Chris Cornell Music From Cameron Crowe's 1992 Film Singles Out Tomorrow |last=Cook-Wilson |first=Winston |date=May 18, 2017 |website=SPIN}}</ref>

In 1993, the band contributed the track "Show Me" to the AIDS-Benefit album ''[[No Alternative]]'', produced by the [[Red Hot Organization]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://redhot.org/project/no-alternative/ |title=No Alternative &#124; Red Hot |website=RedHot.org}}</ref>

===''Superunknown'' and mainstream success (1994–1995)===
Soundgarden began working on its fourth album after touring in support of ''Badmotorfinger''. Cornell said that while working on the album, the band allowed each other more freedom than on past records,<ref>Thompson, Dave. "I Slept With Soundgarden and Other Chilling Confessions". ''[[Alternative Press (music magazine)|Alternative Press]]''. March 1994.</ref> and Thayil observed that they had spent a lot more time working on the recording of the songs than on previous records.<ref>"Let's Make a Grunge Album!". ''[[Raw (music magazine)|Raw]]''. December 8, 1993.</ref> Released on March 8, 1994, ''[[Superunknown]]'' became the band's breakthrough album, debuting at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200 album chart and being driven by the singles "[[Spoonman]]", "[[The Day I Tried to Live]]", "[[Black Hole Sun]]", "[[My Wave]]", and "[[Fell on Black Days (song)|Fell on Black Days]]".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,301554,00.html |title=Changing of the Garden|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 25, 1994|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830000510/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C301554%2C00.html|archive-date=August 30, 2008}}</ref>

The songs on ''Superunknown'' captured the creativity and heaviness of the band's earlier works, while showcasing the group's newly evolving style. Lyrically, the album was quite dark and mysterious, and it is often interpreted to be dealing with substance abuse, suicide, and depression. At the time, [[Sylvia Plath]] inspired Cornell's writing.<ref>Lanham, Tom. "In Search of the Monster Riff". ''Pulse!''. March 1994.</ref> The album was also more experimental than previous releases, with some songs incorporating Middle-Eastern or Indian music. [[J. D. Considine]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' said ''Superunknown'' "demonstrates far greater range than many bands manage in an entire career". He also stated, "At its best, ''Superunknown'' offers a more harrowing depiction of alienation and despair than anything on [Nirvana's final studio album] ''[[In Utero (album)|In Utero]]''."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Consideine|first=J. D.|author-link=J. D. Considine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/soundgarden/albums/album/112428/review/5942536/superunknown|title=Soundgarden: ''Superunknown''|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=July 31, 1997|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705160513/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/soundgarden/albums/album/112428/review/5942536/superunknown|archive-date=July 5, 2008}}</ref> The music video for "Black Hole Sun" became a hit on MTV, and received the award for [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video|Best Metal/Hard Rock Video]] at the 1994 [[MTV Video Music Awards]],<ref name="Tortorici">{{cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/501000/19980903/soundgarden.jhtml |title=Soundgarden's Kim Thayil |date=September 4, 1998 |access-date=March 2, 2009 |author=Tortorici, Frank |publisher=[[VH1|VH1.com]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604125838/http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/501000/19980903/soundgarden.jhtml |archive-date=June 4, 2011 }}</ref> and in 1995 the [[Clio Awards|Clio Award]] for Alternative Music Video.<ref name="clio">{{cite web|url=http://www.clioawards.com/archive/index.cfm |title=Clio Awards Search Archive |work=CLIO Awards |publisher=clioawards.com |access-date=February 20, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212235423/http://www.clioawards.com/archive/index.cfm |archive-date=February 12, 2008 }}</ref> Soundgarden won two Grammy Awards in 1995—"Black Hole Sun" received the award for [[Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance|Best Hard Rock Performance]] and "Spoonman" received the award for Best Metal Performance.<ref name="latimes"/> The album was nominated for a [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Album]] in 1995.<ref name="roulette">{{cite news| url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE2DD113CF935A15751C0A963958260 |title=Pop View; Playing Grammy Roulette |newspaper=The New York Times |author=Pareles, Jon |author-link=Jon Pareles |access-date=August 3, 2008 | date=February 26, 1995}}</ref> ''Superunknown'' has been certified [[RIAA certification|six times Platinum]] in the United States and remains Soundgarden's most successful album.<ref name="riaa"/>

The band began touring in January 1994 in [[Oceania]] and Japan,<ref name="intothesuperunknown">{{cite magazine|last=Neely|first=Kim|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/soundgarden/articles/story/5924586/cover_story_into_the_unknown |title=Into the Superunknown|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=June 15, 1994|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514065154/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/soundgarden/articles/story/5924586/cover_story_into_the_unknown|archive-date=May 14, 2009}}</ref> areas where the record came out early<ref name="nohype">"Soundgarden: No Hype Allowed". ''The Music Paper''. July 1994.</ref> and where the band had never toured before.<ref>Smith, Chris. "Down in a Hole". ''[[Raw (music magazine)|Raw]]''. August 17, 1994.</ref> This round of touring ended in February 1994. In the following month, the band moved on to Europe.<ref name="intothesuperunknown" /> They began a theater and arena tour of the United States, first with a stop on May 27, 1994, at the [[Vancouver Forum|PNE Forum]] in [[Vancouver]],<ref name="intothesuperunknown" /><ref>"Soundgarden Won't Be Staying Superunknown". ''[[USA Today]]''. March 11, 1994.</ref> with the opening acts [[Tad (band)|Tad]] and [[Eleven (band)|Eleven]].<ref name="nohype"/> In late 1994, after touring in support of ''Superunknown'', doctors discovered that Cornell had severely strained his [[vocal folds|vocal cords]], and Soundgarden canceled several shows to avoid causing any permanent damage. Cornell said, "I think we kinda overdid it! We were playing five or six nights a week and my voice pretty much took a beating. Towards the end of the American tour I felt like I could still kinda sing, but I wasn't really giving the band a fair shake. You don't buy a ticket to see some guy croak for two hours! That seemed like kind of a rip off."<ref>"Black Hole Sons!". Kerrang!. August 12, 1995.</ref> The band made up the dates later in 1995.<ref>Atkinson, Peter. "Soundgarden: From Superunknown to Superstars". ''Jam''. May 24, 1996.</ref> ''Superunknown'' spawned the EP ''[[Songs from the Superunknown]]'' and the [[CD-ROM]] ''Alive in the Superunknown'', both released in 1995.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Atwood |first1=Brett |author-link1=Brett Atwood |title=Soundgarden Vid Takes CD Plus Out of the Unknown |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7g4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA96 |access-date=April 13, 2022 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=January 27, 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610122445/https://books.google.com/books?id=7g4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA96& |archive-date=June 10, 2016}}</ref>

===''Down on the Upside'' and breakup (1996–1997)===
Following the worldwide tour in support of ''Superunknown'', the band began working on what would become their last studio album for over 15 years, choosing to produce it themselves.<ref name=seconds>{{cite book|first=Steven|last=Blush|author-link=Steven Blush|title=Soundgarden interview|date=1996|publisher=[[Seconds (magazine)|Seconds]]|url=http://www.secondsmagazine.com/articles/38-sg.php|access-date=Aug 10, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224055534/http://www.secondsmagazine.com/articles/38-sg.php|archive-date=December 24, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> However, tensions within the group reportedly arose during the sessions, with Thayil and Cornell allegedly clashing over Cornell's desire to shift away from the heavy guitar riffing that had become the band's trademark.<ref name="Colopino">Colopino, John. "Soundgarden Split". ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. May 29, 1997.</ref> Cornell said, "By the time we were finished, it felt like it had been kind of hard, like it was a long, hard haul. But there was stuff we were discovering."<ref>Appleford, Steve. "Soundgarden". ''[[Ray Gun (magazine)|Ray Gun]]''. June 1996.</ref> The band's fifth album, ''[[Down on the Upside]]'', was released on May 21, 1996. It was notably less heavy than the group's earlier albums, and marked a further departure from the band's grunge roots. At the time, Soundgarden explained that they wanted to experiment with other sounds,<ref>Turman, Katherine. "Soundgarden: Seattle's Sonic Boom". ''Hypno''. 1996.</ref> including [[Acoustic music|acoustic instrumentation]]. David Browne of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' said, "Few bands since [[Led Zeppelin]] have so crisply mixed instruments both acoustic and electric."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Browne|first=David|author-link=David Browne (journalist)|url=https://ew.com/article/1996/05/24/down-upside/|title=Down on the Upside|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=May 24, 1996|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223235831/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,292725,00.html |archive-date=December 23, 2009}}</ref> The overall mood of the album's lyrics is less dark than on previous Soundgarden albums, with Cornell describing some songs as "self-affirming".<ref>[[Everett True|True, Everett]]. "Soundgarden". ''[[Melody Maker]]''. May 25, 1996.</ref> The album spawned several singles, including "[[Pretty Noose]]", "[[Burden in My Hand]]", and "[[Blow Up the Outside World]]". "Pretty Noose" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1997.<ref name="1997grammynominess">{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9702/grammy/other.categories/rock.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912125502/http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9702/grammy/other.categories/rock.html | archive-date=September 12, 2007 |title=Grammy Nominees for Other Rock and Alternative Categories |publisher=[[CNN|CNN.com]] |access-date=August 4, 2008}}</ref> The album did not match the sales or critical praise of ''Superunknown''.<ref name="riaa"/>

The band took a slot on the 1996 [[Lollapalooza]] tour with [[Metallica]], who had insisted on Soundgarden's appearance on the tour.<ref>Bell, Max. "Soundgarden – Like Falling Off a Hog." ''Blah Blah Blah''. June 1996.</ref> After Lollapalooza, the band embarked on a world tour,<ref>Waters, Rodney. "Getting Down with Soundgarden". ''[[Hit Parader]]''. October 1996.</ref> and already-existing tensions increased during it. When asked whether the band hated touring, Cornell replied: "We really enjoy it to a point, and then it gets tedious, because it becomes repetitious. You feel like fans have paid their money and they expect you to come out and play them your songs like the first time you ever played them. That's the point where we hate touring."<ref name="questiontime">"Gardener's Question Time". ''[[Kerrang!]]''. March 1, 1997.</ref> At the tour's last stop in [[Honolulu]], Hawaii on February 9, 1997, Shepherd threw his bass into the air in frustration after suffering equipment failure, and then stormed off the stage.<ref>"Nirvana and the Story of Grunge", pg. 100.</ref> The band retreated, with Cornell returning to end the show with a solo encore.<ref>Berger, John. "'Garden' of supersonic delight". ''[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]]''. February 10, 1997.</ref> On April 9, 1997, the band announced they were disbanding. Thayil said, "It was pretty obvious from everybody's general attitude over the course of the previous half year that there was some dissatisfaction."<ref>Gilbert, Jeff. "Sound of Silence". ''[[Guitar World]]''. February 1998.</ref> Cameron later said that Soundgarden was "eaten up by the business".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/aug/13/pearl-jam |title=Pearl Jam: 'People get that this means something' |access-date=August 13, 2009 |author=Simpson, Dave |newspaper=The Guardian |date=August 13, 2009 |location=London |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826124701/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/aug/13/pearl-jam |archive-date=August 26, 2013 }}</ref> The band released a greatest hits collection entitled ''[[A-Sides (Soundgarden album)|A-Sides]]'' on November 4, 1997, composed of 17 songs, including the previously unreleased "[[Bleed Together]]", which was recorded during the ''Down on the Upside'' recording sessions.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Kim Thayil's A-Sides |journal=[[Metal Hammer]] |date=January 1998|quote=That came from the ''Down on the Upside'' session and originally the record company was interested in it being on the album, but we weren't interested in putting it on the album because we weren't happy with the mix we got for it. Also, we had to concern ourselves with the length of the record and how much time we could fit on one disc, so we never finished it before ''Down on the Upside'' came out.}}</ref>

===Post-breakup activities (1998–2009)===
[[File:Chris Cornell Montreux Jazz Festival 2005.jpg|thumb|upright|Frontman [[Chris Cornell]] performing live at the [[Montreux Jazz Festival]] in 2005|alt=A man playing a guitar and singing on stage at a concert.]]
Cornell released a solo album in September 1999, entitled ''[[Euphoria Morning]]'', which featured Matt Cameron on the track "Disappearing One".<ref name="AMGEM">{{cite web |author=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/euphoria-morning-mw0000243961 |title=Euphoria Morning - Chris Cornell &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=AllMusic |date=September 21, 1999 |accessdate=August 25, 2015 |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923142743/http://www.allmusic.com/album/euphoria-morning-mw0000243961 |url-status=live }}</ref> By May 2001, Cornell had joined the platinum-selling supergroup [[Audioslave]] with [[Tom Morello]], [[Tim Commerford]] and [[Brad Wilk]], then-former members of [[Rage Against the Machine]],<ref name="Pushing Forward Back">O'Brien, Clare. "Pushing Forward Back." ''Zero Magazine''. September 7, 2005, Iss. 1.</ref> which recorded three albums: ''[[Audioslave (album)|Audioslave]]'' (2002),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.popmatters.com/audioslave-st-2495832978.html |title=Audioslave: self-titled |last=Levenfeld |first=Ari |date=April 13, 2003 |website=[[PopMatters]] |accessdate=April 4, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308214844/https://www.popmatters.com/audioslave-st-2495832978.html }}</ref> ''[[Out of Exile]]'' (2005),<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/audioslave-outofexile/|title=Audioslave: Out of Exile|last=Brecheisen|first=Dave|magazine=[[PopMatters]]|date=June 10, 2005|access-date=June 30, 2013|archive-date=November 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102134759/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/audioslave-outofexile/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and ''[[Revelations (Audioslave album)|Revelations]]'' (2006).<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Schiller|first=Mike|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/5112/audioslave-revelations/|title=Audioslave: Revelations|magazine=[[PopMatters]]|access-date=May 15, 2007|archive-date=September 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930224337/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/5112/audioslave-revelations/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Cornell left Audioslave in early 2007, resulting in the band's break-up.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1552582/20070215/audioslave.jhtml |title=Chris Cornell talks Audioslave split, nixes Soundgarden reunion |last=Harris |first=Chris |date=February 15, 2007 |work=MTV News |publisher=MTV Networks |access-date=January 10, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227132428/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1552582/20070215/audioslave.jhtml |archive-date=December 27, 2008 }}</ref> His second solo album, ''[[Carry On (Chris Cornell album)|Carry On]]'', was released in June 2007, and his third solo album, ''[[Scream (Chris Cornell album)|Scream]]'', produced by [[Timbaland]], was released in March 2009, both to mixed commercial and critical success.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/cornellchris/carryon?q=chris%20cornell |title=''Carry On'' by Chris Cornell |work=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=July 22, 2009 |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020105552/https://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/cornellchris/carryon?q=chris%20cornell |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/cornellchris/scream?q=chris%20cornell |title=''Scream'' by Chris Cornell |work=Metacritic |access-date=July 22, 2009 |archive-date=September 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921035615/https://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/cornellchris/scream?q=chris%20cornell |url-status=dead }}</ref> Cornell also wrote the lyrics and provided vocals for the song "Promise" on [[Slash (musician)|Slash]]'s debut solo album ''[[Slash (album)|Slash]]'', released in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/slash-solo-album-interview-the-track-by-track-guide-238767/6#content |title=Slash solo album interview: the track-by-track guide |last=Vinnicombe |first=Chris |date=March 4, 2010 |website=Music Radar}}</ref>

Thayil joined forces with former [[Dead Kennedys]] singer [[Jello Biafra]], former Nirvana bassist [[Krist Novoselic]], and drummer Gina Mainwal for one show, performing as [[The No WTO Combo]] during the [[World Trade Organization|WTO]] ministerial conference in Seattle on December 1, 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/872836/no-wto-combos-live-album-revisits-battle-in-seattle/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011155428/http://www.mtv.com/news/872836/no-wto-combos-live-album-revisits-battle-in-seattle/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 11, 2020 |title=No WTO Combo's Live Album Revisits 'Battle In Seattle' |date=May 18, 2000 |website=[[MTV]]|access-date=April 4, 2022|last=Woodlief|first=Mark}}</ref> Thayil contributed guitar tracks to [[Steve Fisk]]'s 2001 album, ''999 Levels of Undo'',<ref name="ThayilBreaksSilence">{{cite magazine |last1=Prato |first1=Greg |title=The Soundgarden songs you haven't heard: Kim Thayil breaks his silence |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-soundgarden-songs-you-havent-heard-kim-thayil-breaks-his-silence-250680/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=April 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108103928/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-soundgarden-songs-you-havent-heard-kim-thayil-breaks-his-silence-250680/ |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |date=July 21, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> as well as [[Dave Grohl]]'s 2004 side-project album, ''[[Probot]]''.<ref name="gw-probot">{{cite journal |last1=Epstein |first1=Dan |title=Guitar One Presents Foo Fighters: "Man of Steel" |journal=[[Guitar World]] |date=March 2015 |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/available-now-guitar-one-presents-foo-fighters |access-date=April 4, 2022}}</ref> In 2006, Thayil played guitar on the album ''[[Altar (Sunn O))) and Boris album)|Altar]]'', the collaboration between the bands [[Sunn O)))]] and [[Boris (band)|Boris]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.popmatters.com/sunn-o-boris-altar-2495742844.html |title=Sunn O))) & Boris: Altar |last=Begrand |first=Adrien |date=November 16, 2006 |website=PopMatters|access-date=April 4, 2022}}</ref>

Cameron initially turned his efforts to his side-project [[Wellwater Conspiracy]], to which both Shepherd and Thayil had contributed. He then worked briefly with [[the Smashing Pumpkins]] on the band's 1998 album, ''[[Adore (The Smashing Pumpkins album)|Adore]]''. That same year, he played drums for Pearl Jam's [[Yield Tour]] following [[Jack Irons]]'s departure,<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/pearljam/articles/story/5928493/off_he_goes | title=Off He Goes | access-date=June 28, 2007 | author=Fischer, Blair R | magazine=Rolling Stone | date=April 17, 1998|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071002115935/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/pearljam/articles/story/5928493/off_he_goes |archive-date = October 2, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> and later joined as an official member of the band,<ref name="pop">{{cite news | first = Tim | last = Slowikowski | title = From Mookie Blaylock to Pearl Jam: The Matt Cameron Interview | url = http://www.popmatters.com/music/interviews/pearljam-030624.shtml | work = [[PopMatters]] | date = June 24, 2003 | access-date = May 23, 2007|archivedate=February 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211002934/https://www.popmatters.com/music/interviews/pearljam-030624.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> remaining until his departure in July 2025.<ref>{{cite news|last=Singer|first=Quentin|title=Pearl Jam Drummer Matt Cameron announces exit from band|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/quentinsinger/2025/07/07/pearl-jam-drummer-matt-cameron-announces-exit-from-band/|magazine=[[Forbes]]|date=July 7, 2025|access-date=July 7, 2025}}</ref> He recorded seven albums with Pearl Jam: ''[[Binaural (album)|Binaural]]'' (2000), ''[[Riot Act (album)|Riot Act]]'' (2002), ''[[Pearl Jam (album)|Pearl Jam]]'' (2006), ''[[Backspacer]]'' (2009), ''[[Lightning Bolt (Pearl Jam album)|Lightning Bolt]]'' (2013), ''[[Gigaton (album)|Gigaton]]'' (2020) and ''[[Dark Matter (Pearl Jam album)|Dark Matter]]'' (2024).<ref>Per the [[liner notes|credits]] on each of these albums.</ref> Cameron also played percussion on [[Geddy Lee]]'s album ''[[My Favourite Headache]]''.<ref name=MFHbooklet>{{cite AV media notes|title=My Favourite Headache|others=[[Geddy Lee]]|year=2000|type=booklet|publisher=[[Sub Pop Records]]}}</ref> In 2017, he was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] as a member of Pearl Jam.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pearl Jam|url=https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/pearl-jam|website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|access-date=18 October 2017|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707212204/https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/pearl-jam|archive-date=July 7, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Shepherd was the singer on Wellwater Conspiracy's 1997 debut studio album, ''[[Declaration of Conformity (Wellwater Conspiracy album)|Declaration of Conformity]]'', but left the band after its release.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Wellwater Conspiracy Album Due |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/ay0kiu/new-wellwater-conspiracy-album-due |publisher=[[MTV]] |access-date=March 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302061058/https://www.mtv.com/news/ay0kiu/new-wellwater-conspiracy-album-due |archive-date=March 2, 2023 |date=January 7, 1999}}</ref> He has toured with [[Mark Lanegan]] and played bass on two of Lanegan's albums, ''[[I'll Take Care of You (Mark Lanegan album)|I'll Take Care of You]]'' (1999), and ''[[Field Songs]]'' (2001). Shepherd and Cameron lent a hand with recording [[Tony Iommi]]'s album ''[[Iommi (album)|IOMMI]]'' (2000).<ref name=ITCOYbooklet>{{cite AV media notes|title=I'll Take Care of You|others=[[Mark Lanegan]]|year=1999|type=booklet|publisher=[[Anthem Records]]}}</ref><ref name="shepherdAM">{{cite web |last1=Prato |first1=Greg |title=Ben Shepherd Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-shepherd-mn0000165832/biography |website=[[Allmusic]] |access-date=March 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514234346/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-shepherd-mn0000165832/biography |archive-date=May 14, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> While they were members of Soundgarden they were part of the side-project band [[Hater (band)|Hater]], and in 2005 Shepherd released the band's long-delayed second album, ''[[The 2nd (album)|The 2nd]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Armstrong |first1=Sam |title=Much-Loved Hater Album Finally Returns |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/much-loved-hater-album-finally-returns/ |website=uDiscoverMusic |publisher=[[Universal Music Group]] |access-date=March 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817013120/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/much-loved-hater-album-finally-returns/ |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |date=May 26, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In a July 2009 interview with ''Rolling Stone'', Cornell shot down rumors of a reunion, saying that conversations between the band members had been limited to discussion about the release of a [[box set]] or B-sides album of Soundgarden rarities, and that there had been no discussion of a reunion at all.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/07/08/chris-cornell-says-soundgarden-talking-b-sides-box-set-releases/ |title=Chris Cornell Says Soundgarden Talking B Sides, Box Set Releases |date=July 8, 2009 |access-date=July 8, 2009 |author=Harris, Chris |magazine=Rolling Stone |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711081102/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/07/08/chris-cornell-says-soundgarden-talking-b-sides-box-set-releases |archive-date=July 11, 2009 }}</ref> The band's interest in new releases emerged from a 2008 meeting about their shared properties, both financial and legal, where they realized Soundgarden lacked online presence such as a website or a [[Facebook]] page. As Thayil summed up, "We kind of had neglected our merchandise over the last decade".<ref name="SW">{{cite web|url=http://www.seattleweekly.com/2011-07-27/music/soundgarden-touch-of-gray/ |title=Soundgarden: Touch of Gray |work=Seattle Weekly |first=Hannah |last=Levin |date=July 26, 2011 |access-date=January 1, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512051427/http://www.seattleweekly.com/2011-07-27/music/soundgarden-touch-of-gray/ |archive-date=May 12, 2015 }}</ref> Eventually the musicians decided to create an official site handled by Pearl Jam's Ten Club, relaunch their catalog, and according to Cameron, seek "a bunch of unreleased stuff we wanted to try to put out". In March 2009, Thayil, Shepherd and Cameron got onstage during a concert by [[Tad (band)|Tad Doyle]] in Seattle and played some Soundgarden songs. Cornell stated that the moment "sort of sparked the idea: If Matt, Kim, and Ben can get in a room, rehearse a couple songs, and play, maybe we all could do that as Soundgarden."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.spin.com/2010/08/soundgarden-alive-superunknown/ |title=Soundgarden: Alive in the Superunknown |author=Peisner, David |date=August 17, 2010 |access-date=July 8, 2011 |magazine=Spin |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705151114/http://www.spin.com/2010/08/soundgarden-alive-superunknown/ |archive-date=July 5, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="SW"/>

On October 6, 2009, all the members of Soundgarden attended Night 3 of Pearl Jam's four-night stand at the [[Gibson Amphitheatre]] in [[Universal City, California]]. During an encore, [[Temple of the Dog]] reunited for the first time since Pearl Jam's show at the [[Santa Barbara Bowl]] on October 28, 2003. [[Chris Cornell]] joined the band to sing "[[Hunger Strike (song)|Hunger Strike]]". It was the first public appearance of Soundgarden since their breakup in April 1997. Consequently, rumors of an impending reunion were circulating on the Internet.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Daniel Kreps |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/10/07/temple-of-the-dog-reunite-at-pearl-jams-los-angeles-concert/ |title=Soundgarden 2009 Reunion |magazine=Rollingstone.com |date=October 7, 2009 |access-date=November 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211180014/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/10/07/temple-of-the-dog-reunite-at-pearl-jams-los-angeles-concert/ |archive-date=February 11, 2010 }}</ref>

===Reunion, ''Telephantasm'' and ''King Animal'' (2010–2013)===
[[File:Soundgarden Chicago.jpg|thumb|left|Soundgarden performed at [[Lollapalooza]] in 2010. (L-R: Cornell, Cameron, and Shepherd. Not pictured: Thayil.)]]
On January 1, 2010, Cornell alluded to a Soundgarden reunion on his [[Twitter]] account writing: "The 12-year break is over and school is back in session. Sign up now. Knights of the Soundtable ride again!" The message linked to a website that featured a picture of the group performing live and a place for fans to enter their e-mail addresses to get updates on the reunion. Entering that information unlocked a video for the song "Get on the Snake", from 1989's ''[[Louder Than Love]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1628964/20100104/soundgarden.jhtml |title=Soundgarden's Chris Cornell announces reunion |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=January 4, 2010 |work=MTV News |publisher=MTV Networks |access-date=January 10, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114021623/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1628964/20100104/soundgarden.jhtml |archive-date=January 14, 2010 }}</ref> On March 1, 2010, Soundgarden announced to their e-mail subscribers that they would be re-releasing an old single "Hunted Down" with the song "Nothing to Say" on a 7-inch vinyl record. It was released on April 17, [[Record Store Day]]. They released "Spoonman" live at the [[Del Mar Fairgrounds]] in San Diego, California from 1996. Soundgarden played their first show since 1997 on April 16 at the [[Showbox at the Market]] in the band's hometown of Seattle.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/photos/live/958609/reunited-soundgarden-to-do-seattle-club-show |title=Reunited Soundgarden To Do Seattle Club Show |magazine=Billboard.com |first=Monica |last=Herrera |date=April 15, 2010 |access-date=June 22, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315164502/http://www.billboard.com/articles/photos/live/958609/reunited-soundgarden-to-do-seattle-club-show |archive-date=March 15, 2014 }}</ref> The band headlined Lollapalooza on August 8.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.Net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=138016 |title=It's Official: Reunited Soundgarden Among Lollapalooza Headliners |date=April 5, 2010 |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |access-date=April 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407015655/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.Net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=138016 |archive-date=April 7, 2010 }}</ref>

''[[Telephantasm|Telephantasm: A Retrospective]]'', a new Soundgarden compilation album, was packaged with initial shipments of the ''[[Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock]]'' video game and released on September 28, 2010,<ref name="USAToday">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2010-08-03-soundgarden03_ST_N.htm |title=Soundgarden's 'Telephantasm' gets 'Guitar Hero' welcome |last=Snider |first=Mike |date=August 2, 2010 |work=[[USA Today]] |access-date=August 3, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808201557/http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2010-08-03-soundgarden03_ST_N.htm |archive-date=August 8, 2010 }}</ref> one week before the CD's availability in stores on October 5, 2010.<ref name="USAToday" /> An expanded version of ''Telephantasm'' consisting of two CDs and one DVD is available for sale.<ref name="USAToday" /> A previously unreleased Soundgarden song—"[[Black Rain (Soundgarden song)|Black Rain]]"—debuted on the ''Guitar Hero'' video game and appears on the compilation album,<ref name="USAToday" /><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/117166 |title=Unreleased Soundgarden Track Due on 'Guitar Hero' |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=June 15, 2010 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=July 20, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100721191716/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/117166 |archive-date=July 21, 2010 }}</ref> which achieved platinum certification status after its first day of retail availability.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/09/soundgarden-scores-instant-platinum-on-guitar-hero-warriors-of-rock.html |title=Soundgarden scores instant platinum on guitar hero warriors of rock |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=September 28, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101003003606/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/09/soundgarden-scores-instant-platinum-on-guitar-hero-warriors-of-rock.html |archive-date=October 3, 2010 }}</ref> "Black Rain" hit rock radio stations on August 10, 2010, and was the band's first single since 1997.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1068787/soundgarden-black-rain |title=Soundgarden, "Black Rain" |first=Evan |last=Lucy |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=August 27, 2010 |access-date=September 19, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024122032/http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1068787/soundgarden-black-rain |archive-date=October 24, 2015 }}</ref> In November 2010, Soundgarden was the second musical guest on the show ''[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]]'', making their first television appearance in 13 years.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/web-exclusive-soundgarden-performs-on-conan |title=Web Exclusive Soundgarden Performance! |access-date=November 9, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112020311/http://www.teamcoco.com/blog/web-exclusive-soundgarden-performs-on-conan/ |archive-date=November 12, 2010 }}</ref> The band issued a 7-inch vinyl, "[[The Telephantasm]]", for [[Black Friday (shopping)|Black Friday]] Record Store Day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.recordstoreday.com/Page/958 |title=Black Friday Exclusives 2010 (Customer) |work=Record Store Day|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107185247/http://www.recordstoreday.com/Page/958|archive-date=November 7, 2011}}</ref> In March 2011, Soundgarden released their first live album, ''[[Live on I-5]]''.<ref name="Soundgarden announces first live album">{{cite web|url=http://www.upvenue.com/article/1259-soundgarden-to-release-first-live-album-ever.html |title=Soundgarden to Release First Live Album – EVER |date=January 14, 2011 |access-date=January 14, 2010 |work=UpVenue |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117115521/http://www.upvenue.com/article/1259-soundgarden-to-release-first-live-album-ever.html |archive-date=January 17, 2011 }}</ref>

In February 2011, Soundgarden announced on their homepage that they had started recording a new album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soundgardenworld.com/news/2011-02-15/our-goal-2011-lets-make-record |title=Our goal for 2011 – Let's Make a Record |date=February 15, 2011 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218164633/http://www.soundgardenworld.com/news/2011-02-15/our-goal-2011-lets-make-record |archive-date=February 18, 2011 }}</ref> On March 1, 2011, [[Chris Cornell]] confirmed that [[Adam Kasper]] would produce it.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.spin.com/2011/03/chris-cornell-talks-new-soundgarden-album/ |title=Chris Cornell Talks New Soundgarden Album |first=William |last=Goodman |magazine=Spin |date=March 1, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225053408/https://www.spin.com/2011/03/chris-cornell-talks-new-soundgarden-album// |archive-date=February 25, 2014 }}</ref> Four days later, the band stated it would consist of material that was "90 percent new" with the rest consisting of updated versions of older ideas. They also noted that they had 12 to 14 songs that were "kind of ready to go".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/soundgarden/55297 |title=Soundgarden's new album will feature 'updated old material' – NME |publisher=Nme.com |date=March 5, 2011 |access-date=November 2, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628234646/http://www.nme.com/news/soundgarden/55297 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 }}</ref> Although Cameron claimed the album would be released in 2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://grungereport.net/?p=4358 |title=Blog Archive » New Soundgarden Album Will Be Finished By The End Of May |publisher=GrungeReport.net |date=April 29, 2011 |access-date=July 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817133117/http://grungereport.net/?p=4358 |archive-date=August 17, 2011 }}</ref> the recording was prolonged as Thayil said that "the more we enjoy it, the more our fans should end up enjoying it".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soundgarden-idUSTRE74D0F020110514 |work=Reuters |title=Soundgarden reunion fell into place by chance |date=May 14, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222222338/https://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/14/us-soundgarden-idUSTRE74D0F020110514 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=158206 |title=BLABBERMOUTH.NET – SOUNDGARDEN Guitarist Says New Album Won't Surface Before 2012 |publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.com |access-date=July 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524215248/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=158206 |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }}</ref> Thayil also reported that some songs sound "similar in a sense to ''[[Down on the Upside]]''" and that the album would be "picking up where we left off. There are some heavy moments, and there are some fast songs."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://grungereport.net/?p=5312 |title=Blog Archive » Kim Thayil Says New Soundgarden Album Has Elements Of Down On The Upside & Led Zeppelin |publisher=GrungeReport.net |date=June 21, 2011 |access-date=July 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627061342/http://grungereport.net/?p=5312 |archive-date=June 27, 2011 }}</ref> The next day, Cornell reported that the new album would not be released until the spring of 2012.<ref name="kinanimal">{{cite web|url=http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=175423 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201075501/http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=175423 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 1, 2013 |title=KIM THAYIL Says New SOUNDGARDEN Album Is Being Mastered |publisher=BlabberMouth.net |date=June 14, 2012 |access-date=June 14, 2012 }}</ref>

[[File:SG Oakland 2013.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Soundgarden performing in 2013]]
In April 2011, Soundgarden announced a summer tour consisting of 16 dates across the US with various opening acts. The band later headlined [[Voodoo Music + Arts Experience|Voodoo Experience]] at City Park in New Orleans on the 2011 Halloween weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thevoodooexperience.com/2011/ |title=VOODOO Music Experience 2011 :: Worship the Music :: October 28.29.30 |publisher=Thevoodooexperience.com |access-date=July 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705220927/http://thevoodooexperience.com/2011/ |archive-date=July 5, 2011 }}</ref> In March 2012 a post on the band's official Facebook page said a new song, "[[Live to Rise]]", would be included on the soundtrack of the upcoming movie ''[[The Avengers (2012 film)|The Avengers]]'', based on the [[Marvel Comics]] franchise. It was the first newly recorded song the band had released since re-forming in 2010. "Live to Rise" was released as a free download on iTunes on April 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Soundgarden/posts/321881314540760 |title=Here's an exclusive... |publisher=Facebook |access-date=March 29, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312025147/https://www.facebook.com/Soundgarden/posts/321881314540760 |archive-date=March 12, 2016 }}</ref> Also in March it was announced that Soundgarden would headline the Friday night of the [[Hard Rock Calling]] Festival the following July in London, England.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hardrockcalling.co.uk/news/ |title=Hard Rock Calling News &#124; News and Announcements for 2012 |publisher=Hardrockcalling.co.uk |date=July 2, 2006 |access-date=April 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425205547/http://www.hardrockcalling.co.uk/news/ |archive-date=April 25, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In April, Soundgarden announced the release of a box set titled ''Classic Album Selection'' for Europe, containing all of their studio albums except for ''Ultramega OK'', and live album ''Live on I-5''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/172145/9 |title=Soundgarden To Release Classic Album Selection Box Set |last=Stickler |first=Jon |date=April 26, 2012 |access-date=July 10, 2015 |website=Stereoboard.com}}</ref> On May 5, just before [[The Offspring]] began playing their set, the band appeared as a special guest at the 20th annual [[KROQ Weenie Roast]] in [[Irvine, California]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=173602 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713002227/http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=173602 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |title=Soundgarden Performs 'Live To Rise' During Surprise 'KROQ Weenie Roast' Set; Pro-Shot Video |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=May 6, 2012 |access-date=May 7, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idioteq.com/soundgarden-live-at-the-kroq-weenie-roast-may-2012/ |title=Soundgarden live at the KROQ Weenie Roast, May 2012 |publisher=Idioteq.com |date=May 7, 2006 |access-date=May 7, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103121544/http://www.idioteq.com/soundgarden-live-at-the-kroq-weenie-roast-may-2012/ |archive-date=November 3, 2012 }}</ref> Later that month, Soundgarden told ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' they were eyeing an October release for their new album.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Album |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=May 6, 2012 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/soundgarden-eyeing-october-release-for-new-lp-20120506 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122191758/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/soundgarden-eyeing-october-release-for-new-lp-20120506 |archive-date=January 22, 2014 }}</ref> That June, the band appeared at [[Download Festival]] in Donington, England. The band released "[[Been Away Too Long]]", the first single from their new album ''[[King Animal]]'' on September 27; the album was released on November 13, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Soundgarden King Animal|url=http://www.soundgardenkinganimal.com|publisher=Soundgardenkinganimal.com|access-date=November 19, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019182656/http://www.soundgardenkinganimal.com/|archive-date=October 19, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The band released a video for "[[By Crooked Steps]]", directed by [[Dave Grohl]], in early 2013.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/dave-grohl-directs-soundgardens-raucous-by-crooked-steps-20130129 |title=Dave Grohl Directs Soundgarden's Raucous 'By Crooked Steps' |magazine=Rollingstone.com |date=January 29, 2013 |access-date=June 3, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715003011/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/dave-grohl-directs-soundgardens-raucous-by-crooked-steps-20130129 |archive-date=July 15, 2015 }}</ref> "Halfway There" was the third single released from the album.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://guildguitars.com/soundgarden-drops-new-video-for-halfway-there/ |title=Soundgarden Drops New Video for 'Halfway There' |date=September 11, 2013 |website=Guild Guitars}}</ref>

===''Echo of Miles...'' and Cornell's death (2013–2017)===
[[File:Chris Cornell & Kim Thayil.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Chris Cornell and Kim Thayil (2012)]]
On November 15, 2013, drummer [[Matt Cameron]] announced he would not be touring with Soundgarden in 2014, due to prior commitments promoting Pearl Jam's album ''[[Lightning Bolt (Pearl Jam album)|Lightning Bolt]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5793159/soundgarden-to-tour-in-2014-without-matt-cameron |title=Soundgarden to Tour in 2014 Without Matt Cameron |magazine=Billboard |date=November 15, 2013 |access-date=November 15, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131118080711/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5793159/soundgarden-to-tour-in-2014-without-matt-cameron |archive-date=November 18, 2013 }}</ref> On March 16, 2014, Soundgarden and [[Nine Inch Nails]] announced they were going to tour North America together, along with opening act [[Death Grips]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/nine-inch-nails-soundgarden-embarking-on-joint-tour-20140316 |title=Nine Inch Nails, Soundgarden Embarking on Joint Tour |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=March 16, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230231715/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/nine-inch-nails-soundgarden-embarking-on-joint-tour-20140316 |archive-date=December 30, 2014 }}</ref> Former Pearl Jam drummer [[Matt Chamberlain]] filled in for Cameron for live shows in South America and Europe on March 27, 2014.<ref name="BlabbermouthChamberlain">{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/soundgarden-plays-first-show-with-new-touring-drummer-matt-chamberlain-video-available/ |title=Soundgarden Plays First Show With New Touring Drummer MATT CHAMBERLAIN |access-date=March 31, 2014 |work=Blabbermouth |date=March 28, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401062541/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/soundgarden-plays-first-show-with-new-touring-drummer-matt-chamberlain-video-available |archive-date=April 1, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="LoudwireChamberlain">{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/soundgarden-welcome-matt-chamberlain-on-drums-in-peru/ |title=Soundgarden Welcome Matt Chamberlain on Drums in Peru |access-date=March 31, 2014 |work=Loudwire |date=March 28, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401050721/http://loudwire.com/soundgarden-welcome-matt-chamberlain-on-drums-in-peru/ |archive-date=April 1, 2014 }}</ref>

Soundgarden announced on October 28, 2014, they would release the 3-CD compilation box set, ''[[Echo of Miles: Scattered Tracks Across the Path]]'', on November 24. The set includes rarities, live tracks, and unreleased material spanning the group's history. It includes previously released songs, such as "Live to Rise", "Black Rain", "Birth Ritual", and others, as well as a newly recorded rendition of the song "The Storm" from the band's pre-Matt Cameron [[6 Songs for Bruce|1985 demo]], now simply titled "Storm", which was, like the original, produced by [[Jack Endino]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/soundgarden-echo-of-miles-rarities-collection-20141028 |title=Soundgarden Unveil Three-Disc 'Echo of Miles' Rarities Collection |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=October 28, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028162003/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/soundgarden-echo-of-miles-rarities-collection-20141028 |archive-date=October 28, 2014 }}</ref> One day before its official announcement, on October 27, the band posted a copy of "Storm" on [[YouTube]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.blabbermouth.net/news/soundgarden-new-song-storm-available-for-streaming/|title=SOUNDGARDEN: New Song 'Storm' Available For Streaming|work=Blabbermouth|date=October 27, 2014|access-date=October 4, 2019|archive-date=March 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311040822/https://archive.blabbermouth.net/news/soundgarden-new-song-storm-available-for-streaming/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Thayil mentioned in several interviews it was likely the band would start working on material for a new album in 2015,<ref>{{cite web|last=Macgregor|first=Jody|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/40341/Soundgarden-talk-Soundwave-2015-and-Superunknown |title=Soundgarden Plan To Work On New Album In 2015 |work=Faster Louder |date=August 19, 2014 |access-date=November 30, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210113431/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/40341/Soundgarden-talk-Soundwave-2015-and-Superunknown |archive-date=December 10, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/soundgardens-kim-thayil-talks-echo-miles-new-collection-originals-covers-and-oddities |title=Soundgarden's Kim Thayil Talks 'Echo of Miles,' a New Collection of Originals, Covers and Oddities |magazine=Guitar World |date=November 24, 2014 |access-date=November 30, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141127194256/http://www.guitarworld.com/soundgardens-kim-thayil-talks-echo-miles-new-collection-originals-covers-and-oddities |archive-date=November 27, 2014 }}</ref> and in August 2015, Cornell stated they were doing so.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/chris-cornell-says-work-has-started-on-new-soundgarden-music/ |title=Chris Cornell Says Work Has Started On New Soundgarden Music – Blabbermouth.net |work=Blabbermouth |date=August 25, 2015 |access-date=August 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827034558/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/chris-cornell-says-work-has-started-on-new-soundgarden-music/ |archive-date=August 27, 2015 }}</ref> On January 19, 2016, The Pulse Of Radio announced that Soundgarden had returned to the studio to continue working on their new album.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/soundgarden-returns-to-the-studio/ |title=SOUNDGARDEN Returns To The Studio |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=January 19, 2016 |access-date=January 19, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120100930/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/soundgarden-returns-to-the-studio/ |archive-date=January 20, 2016 }}</ref> On July 14, 2016, bassist [[Ben Shepherd]] and Cameron stated that the band had written "six solid tunes" for the new album, with more writing to be done in August.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://radio.com/2016/07/11/soundgardens-matt-cameron-and-ben-shepherd-look-back-at-hater/ |title=Soundgarden's Matt Cameron and Ben Shepherd Look Back at Hater |publisher=Radio.com |date=July 11, 2016 |access-date=July 27, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724014200/http://radio.com/2016/07/11/soundgardens-matt-cameron-and-ben-shepherd-look-back-at-hater/ |archive-date=July 24, 2016 }}</ref>

On May 18, 2017, Cornell was found dead, "with a band around his neck", according to his representative, Brian Bumbery. Cornell was in his room at the [[MGM Grand Detroit|MGM Grand]] hotel and casino in [[Detroit]], Michigan, after performing at the [[Fox Theatre (Detroit)|Fox Theatre]] with Soundgarden.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/chris-cornell-dead-soundgarden-audioslave-aged-52-a7742046.html |title=Chris Cornell dead: Soundgarden and Audioslave singer dies, aged 52|work=The Independent|date=May 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518122446/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/chris-cornell-dead-soundgarden-audioslave-aged-52-a7742046.html |archive-date=May 18, 2017}}</ref> From the outset, the investigation into the singer's death was described by a local police spokesperson as that of a "possible suicide", based on unspecified details in the room where his body was discovered.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/245d310dd969440a908b9fbe05d82c3c |title=Representative: Rocker Chris Cornell has died at age 52 |publisher=Associated Press |first=Dennis |last=Waszak |date=May 17, 2017 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518185831/https://apnews.com/245d310dd969440a908b9fbe05d82c3c |archive-date=May 18, 2017 }}</ref> Subsequently, the [[Wayne County, Michigan|Wayne County]] Medical Examiner's Office determined the cause of death as [[suicide by hanging]]. However, Cornell's widow, Vicky, questioned whether he would deliberately end his own life,<ref name=VarietyInt>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/music/news/chris-cornells-family-prescription-drugs-may-have-influenced-suicide-1202436611/ |title=Chris Cornell's Family: Prescription Drugs May Have Influenced Suicide |work=Variety |access-date=May 18, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519120616/http://variety.com/2017/music/news/chris-cornells-family-prescription-drugs-may-have-influenced-suicide-1202436611/ |archive-date=May 19, 2017 }}</ref> and said that the drug [[Ativan]], which her husband was taking, might have led him to commit suicide. She said: "I know that he loved our children and he would not hurt them by intentionally taking his own life."<ref name=Billboard>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/chris-cornell-wife-statement-heartbroken-ativan-7800980/ |title=Chris Cornell's Wife Says Loss has Created 'Emptiness in My Heart that will Never Be Filled; Questions Cause of Death. |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=May 18, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519135408/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7800980/chris-cornell-wife-statement-heartbroken-ativan |archive-date=May 19, 2017 }}</ref>

Following Cornell's death, Soundgarden canceled the rest of their 2017 tour,<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Brooks |first1=Dave |title=Remainder of Soundgarden's Tour Canceled After Chris Cornell's Death, Organizers Pay Tribute |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7800925/soundgarden-tour-canceled-chris-cornell-death |magazine=Billboard |date=May 18, 2017 |access-date=21 May 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519151622/http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7800925/soundgarden-tour-canceled-chris-cornell-death |archive-date=May 19, 2017 }}</ref> including headlining performances at [[Rock on the Range]] and [[Rocklahoma]] later that month.<ref name="canceled-headlines">{{cite magazine|last1=Kaufman|first1=Gil|title=Soundgarden Was to Headline Rock on the Range, Fest Promises to Honor Chris Cornell|url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/events/soundgarden-rock-on-the-range-chris-cornell-death-7800849/|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=April 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602021959/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/music-festivals/7800849/soundgarden-rock-on-the-range-chris-cornell-death|archive-date=June 2, 2017|url-status=live|date=May 18, 2017}}</ref>

===Aftermath, disbandment and reunions (2017–present)===
In September 2017, drummer [[Matt Cameron]] told ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' that he and the other surviving members of Soundgarden had yet to make a decision about the future of the band following Cornell's death. He was quoted as saying, "I don't think we're ready to say anything other than ... Kim and Ben and I are certainly aware of how much our fans are hurting, and we're certainly hurting right there along with them. But we're extremely private people, and we're all still processing our grief in our own way and on our own time. But we definitely are thinking of our fans and love them very much."<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Graff|first1=Gary|author-link=Gary Graff|title=Pearl Jam's Matt Cameron Premieres 'Time Can't Wait' Lyric Video: Watch|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/pearl-jams-matt-cameron-premieres-time-cant-wait-lyric-video-watch-7981796/|magazine=Billboard|date=September 29, 2017|access-date=30 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171102212131/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7981796/pearl-jams-matt-cameron-premieres-time-cant-wait-lyric-video-watch|archive-date=November 2, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In September 2018, guitarist [[Kim Thayil]] told ''Billboard'' that he and the other surviving members of Soundgarden were still unsure about the future of the band. He clarified, "We often reference rock history and we've often commented on what other bands in similar situations have done, not as a plan or anything but just commenting on how bands have handled situations like this and what bands seem to have been graceful and dignified in how they manage their future musical endeavors and how some maybe were clumsy and callous. We think about those things. We try not to go too deep into these conversations, but stuff comes up after a few beers."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Soundgarden's Kim Thayil Says MC5 Anniversary Tour Helped Him 'Come Out of the Fetal Position'|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/kim-thayil-mc5-tour-interview-8473679/|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard.com]]|date=September 5, 2018|access-date=October 10, 2018}}</ref> A month later, Cameron told ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' that the surviving members of Soundgarden "would certainly love to try to continue to do something, figure out something to do together." Bassist [[Ben Shepherd]] added, "We haven't even gotten a chance to hang out, just us three, yet. We're going through natural healing, then thinking about the natural next step."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Watch Chris Cornell Statue Unveiling in Seattle|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/soundgarden-chris-cornell-seattle-statue-unveiling-734199/|magazine=[[Rolling Stone|rollingstone.com]]|date=October 8, 2018|access-date=October 10, 2018}}</ref>

In an October 2018 interview with ''[[The Seattle Times|Seattle Times]]'', Thayil stated that the Soundgarden band name would be retired. He explained, "I don't know really what kind of thing is possible or what we would consider in the future. It's likely nothing. The four of us were that. There were four of us and now there's three of us, so it's just not likely that there's much to be pursued other than the catalog work at this point." Thayil also stated that while he did not rule out the possibility of working with Cameron and Shepherd in a different capacity, writing or touring under the Soundgarden banner again was unlikely: "No, I don't think that's anything we'd give reasonable consideration to at this point. When I say 'at this point,' I mean perhaps ever."<ref name="seattletimes2018">{{cite web|last=Rietmulder|first=Michael|title=Kim Thayil talks Soundgarden's future, playing with rebooted MC5 — his 'favorite band ever'|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/kim-thayil-talks-soundgardens-future-playing-with-rebooted-mc5-his-favorite-band-ever/|work=The Seattle Times|date=October 11, 2018|access-date=October 12, 2018}}</ref>

In January 2019, the remaining members of the band reunited in a tribute concert and fundraiser at [[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]] in [[Inglewood, California]], organized by Cornell's widow, Vicky Cornell. Members of Soundgarden, [[Temple of the Dog]], [[Audioslave]], [[Alice in Chains]], [[Melvins]], [[Foo Fighters]], and [[Metallica]] together with other notable artists performed songs from Cornell's career. [[Taylor Momsen]], [[Zen Guerrilla|Marcus Durant]], [[Brandi Carlile]], and [[Taylor Hawkins]] contributed vocals to Soundgarden, who performed "[[Rusty Cage]]", "[[Flower (Soundgarden song)|Flower]]", "[[Outshined]]", "[[Drawing Flies (Soundgarden song)|Drawing Flies]]", "[[Loud Love]]", "[[I Awake (Soundgarden song)|I Awake]]", "[[The Day I Tried to Live]]", and "[[Black Hole Sun]]", making this their first performance since Cornell's death.<ref name="tribute concert">{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/chris-cornell-honored-five-hour-131138038.html|title=Chris Cornell honored with five-hour, 42-song tribute concert: Video + Setlist|website=news.yahoo.com|language=en-US|date=January 17, 2019|access-date=May 4, 2019}}</ref>

In July 2019, Thayil said in an interview with ''Music Radar'' that the surviving members of Soundgarden are trying to finish and release the album they were working on with Cornell. However, the master files of Cornell's vocal recordings are currently being withheld, and when Thayil sought permission to use these files, he was denied.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/soundgardens-kim-thayil-im-not-on-a-first-name-basis-with-my-gear-i-just-know-its-mr-mesaboogie-and-mr-guild |title=Soundgarden's Kim Thayil: "I'm not on a first-name basis with my gear; I just know it's Mr Mesa/Boogie and Mr Guild!" |last=Astley-Brown |first=Michael |date=July 23, 2019 |website=Music Radar}}</ref>

In December 2019, Cornell's widow, Vicky Cornell, sued the surviving members of Soundgarden over seven unreleased recordings Cornell made before his death in 2017, claiming "they have "shamelessly conspired to wrongfully withhold hundreds of thousands of dollars indisputably owed to Chris' widow and minor children in an unlawful attempt to strong-arm Chris' Estate into turning over certain audio recordings created by Chris before he passed away." The lawsuit stated that Cornell made the seven recordings at his personal studio in Florida in 2017, which there was never any explicit agreement that these songs were meant for Soundgarden, and that Cornell was the only owner of tracks.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=December 9, 2019 |title=Chris Cornell's Widow Sues Soundgarden Over Unreleased Recordings |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/chris-cornell-vicky-cornell-soundgarden-lawsuit-royalties-924015/ |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> In February 2020, Thayil, Cameron and Shepherd demanded Vicky to hand over the unreleased recordings, claiming that they worked jointly on these final tracks with Chris and that Vicky has no right to withhold from them what they call the "final Soundgarden album." The band members pointed to interviews Chris and his bandmates made at the time confirming they were working together on what would be Soundgarden's eighth album.<ref name="lawsuit timeline">{{Cite magazine |title=A Timeline of the Legal Battle Between Chris Cornell's Widow & Soundgarden |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/timeline-vicky-cornell-soundgarden-legal-battle-9530384/ |magazine=Billboard |date=March 23, 2021}}</ref> In March 2020, Soundgarden asked court to dismiss the lawsuit.<ref name="lawsuit timeline"/> In May 2020, Soundgarden countersued Vicky claiming that she engaged in "fraudulent inducement" by allegedly attempting to use the revenue from the January 2019 "I Am the Highway: A Tribute to Chris Cornell" concert, which was meant to go to the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation, for "personal purposes for herself and her family".<ref name="lawsuit timeline"/> The band dropped the benefit concert lawsuit in July 2020.<ref name="lawsuit timeline"/>

On August 10, 2020, [[Nile Rodgers]] and [[Merck Mercuriadis]]' company [[Hipgnosis Songs Fund]] acquired 100% of Chris Cornell's catalog of song rights (241 songs),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Financial and Operational Highlights - Hipgnosis Songs Fund |url=https://www.hipgnosissongs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/HSFL-IR20-Web.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.hipgnosissongs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/HSFL-IR20-Web.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |website=Hipgnosis Songs Fund |page=6 |date=December 4, 2020}}</ref> including Soundgarden's catalog.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting Disapplication of Pre-Emption Rights - Hipgnosis Songs Fund |url=https://www.hipgnosissongs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HSFL-Notice-of-EGM-5-February-2021.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.hipgnosissongs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HSFL-Notice-of-EGM-5-February-2021.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |website=Hipgnosis Songs Fund |page=68 |date=January 21, 2021}}</ref> Rodgers is friends with Cornell's widow.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rodgers |first=Nile |author-link=Nile Rodgers |date=October 4, 2021 |title=Last week at #NoTimeToDie #jamesbond007 premier w my dear friend Vicky, the wife of @chriscornell who sang #YouKnowMyName the #casinoroyale theme & the 1st #danielcraig007 appearance. Chris and I adored each other. I'm so proud of how the family has come since his tragic passing. |url=https://twitter.com/nilerodgers/status/1444959275038695424 |website=Twitter}}</ref>

On December 1, 2020, Thayil, Shepherd and Cameron performed as "members of Soundgarden" alongside Tad Doyle of [[Tad (band)|Tad]], [[Mike McCready]] and Meagan Grandallat at [[Museum of Pop Culture#Founders Award|MoPOP Founders Award]] tribute to [[Alice in Chains]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 2, 2020 |title=Watch TADGarden Perform "Angry Chair" by Alice In Chains at MoPOP Founders Award 2020 |url=https://www.mopop.org/about-mopop/the-mopop-blog/posts/2020/december/watch-tadgarden-perform-angry-chair-by-alice-in-chains-at-mopop-founders-award-2020/ |website=MoPOP.org}}</ref>

In February 2021, Vicky Cornell filed another lawsuit claiming that the remaining members of Soundgarden had undervalued her share of the band, offering her "the villainously low figure of less than $300,000."<ref name="lawsuit timeline"/> Vicky claimed the band offered her $300,000 despite receiving a $16 million offer from another investor for the act's master recordings. Vicky said she counter-offered $12 million for the band's collective interests, equaling $4 million per surviving member, which they denied. She then offered them $21 million for the band's interests, and that offer was also rejected.<ref name="lawsuit timeline"/> Soundgarden said in a statement that the "buyout offer that was demanded by the estate has been grossly mischaracterized and we are confident that clarity will come out in court. All offers to buy out our interests have been unsolicited and rejected outright." The band also noted that they also had not had access to their social media accounts, which has resulted in "misleading and confusing our fans", leading the band to create new Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts under the name "Nude Dragons", an anagram for Soundgarden.<ref name="lawsuit timeline"/> On March 19, 2021, a federal judge recommended that claims the surviving band members improperly withheld "hundreds of thousands of dollars" and that the band's manager breached his duty to look after Vicky's interests be dismissed, citing lack of evidence of the band withholding royalties.<ref name="lawsuit timeline"/> On March 25, 2021, Soundgarden demanded the passwords for their social media and website.<ref name="lawsuit timeline"/> On June 15, 2021, the band got their website and social media accounts back in a temporary agreement with Vicky.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 16, 2021 |title=Soundgarden Gets Its Social Media Accounts Back in Temporary Agreement With Vicky Cornell |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9587952/soundgarden-gets-social-media-accounts-back-vicky-cornell-deal/ |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

On April 17, 2023, it was officially revealed that seven final recordings with Cornell would be released after the dispute between the members and Vicky Cornell had ended.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=2023-04-17 |title=Soundgarden, Chris Cornell Estate Settle Lawsuits, Pave Way for Final Recordings |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/soundgarden-chris-cornell-widow-settle-lawsuit-final-recordings-1234710236/ |access-date=2023-04-17 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> In a September 2025 interview with ''Billboard'', Cameron confirmed that he, Thayil and Shepherd were "definitely over halfway done with" the remaining eight songs the band worked on before Cornell's death.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Graff |first=Gary |date=September 15, 2025 |title=Soundgarden Unlikely to Release Final Album Before Rock Hall Induction |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/soundgarden-final-album-after-rock-hall-induction-1236067155/ |access-date=September 18, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

On December 14, 2024, the surviving members of Soundgarden, along with vocalist Shaina Shepherd, performed together under the moniker Nudedragons (previously used in 2010) for a benefit show in Seattle for the [[Seattle Children's|Seattle Children's Hospital]].<ref name="nudedragons24"/> The surviving members of the band were scheduled to perform the following July for the benefit concert [[Back to the Beginning]], but did not appear due to scheduling conflicts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/steven-tyler-and-members-of-soundgarden-added-to-black-sabbaths-final-concert|title=STEVEN TYLER And Members Of SOUNDGARDEN Added To BLACK SABBATH's Final Concert|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=May 9, 2025|date=May 2, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Hunter | first=Lauren | title=Soundgarden explain absence from Black Sabbath farewell concert | website=Far Out Magazine | date=July 14, 2025 | url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/soundgarden-explain-absence-black-sabbath-ozzy-osbourne-farewell-concert/ | access-date=July 14, 2025}}</ref>

On November 8, 2025, Soundgarden was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] by [[Jim Carrey]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dalton |first1=Andrew |title=A look at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2025 inductees and how they were honored |url=https://rockhall.com/inductees/classes/2025/ |publisher=AP News |access-date=9 November 2025}}</ref> At the ceremony, the surviving members of the band were joined by original bassist [[Hiro Yamamoto]] for the first time in 36 years and performed a two-song set: Momsen and [[Mike McCready]] joined them for "Rusty Cage", while Carlile and [[Jerry Cantrell]] were the additional performers for "Black Hole Sun".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/watch-soundgarden-reunites-for-all-star-performance-at-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony|title=Watch: SOUNDGARDEN Reunites For All-Star Performance At ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME Induction Ceremony|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=November 9, 2025|date=November 9, 2025}}</ref> Cornell's daughter Toni also performed at the ceremony, singing the band's "Fell on Black Days".<ref>{{cite web |title=Chris Cornell’s daughter sings an emotional Fell On Black Days as Soundgarden are inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame |url=https://www.loudersound.com/bands-artists/chris-cornells-daughter-sings-an-emotional-fell-on-black-days-as-soundgarden-are-inducted-into-the-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame |website=Loudersound |access-date=12 November 2025}}</ref>

==Musical style and influences==
Soundgarden were pioneers of the [[grunge]] music genre,<ref name="pioneer1">{{cite web|last1=Aswad|first1=Jem|title=Chris Cornell's Soundgarden, True Pioneers of the Seattle Scene, Paved the Way for Nirvana and Pearl Jam|url=https://variety.com/2017/music/news/soundgarden-pioneers-seattle-nirvana-pearl-jam-1202434337/|website=Variety|access-date=May 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420063419/http://variety.com/2017/music/news/soundgarden-pioneers-seattle-nirvana-pearl-jam-1202434337/|archive-date=April 20, 2018|date=May 18, 2017}}</ref><ref name="pioneer2">{{cite web|last1=Mervis|first1=Scott|title=Preview: Seattle grunge pioneers Soundgarden back in Pittsburgh|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2013/05/09/Preview-Seattle-grunge-pioneers-Soundgarden-back-in-Pittsburgh/stories/201305090324|website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=May 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503194045/http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2013/05/09/Preview-Seattle-grunge-pioneers-Soundgarden-back-in-Pittsburgh/stories/201305090324|archive-date=May 3, 2016|date=May 9, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> which mixed elements of [[punk rock]] and [[heavy metal music|metal]] to make a sludgy, murky sound through the use of fuzzy-sounding distortion in the guitars.<ref name="allmusic grunge">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/style/grunge-ma0000002626 |title=Grunge |access-date=August 24, 2012 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref><ref>[[WERS]] ''Nasty Habits'', recorded at [[New York City]]'s China Club, August 6, 1992</ref><ref name="Hitflix">{{cite news |last=Newman |first=Melinda |title=Why Soundgarden's Chris Cornell is a Believer in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |url=http://www.hitfix.com/news/why-soundgardens-chris-cornell-is-a-believer-in-the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame |access-date=April 19, 2013 |newspaper=Hitfix |archive-date=April 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427070954/http://www.hitfix.com/news/why-soundgardens-chris-cornell-is-a-believer-in-the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame |url-status=live}}</ref>

Soundgarden cited [[Minutemen (band)|Minutemen]], the [[Meat Puppets]], [[Butthole Surfers]], [[Wire (band)|Wire]], and [[Joy Division]] as key early influences.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Foege |first=Alec |author-link=Alec Foege |date=December 29, 1994 |title=Chris Cornell: The Rolling Stone Interview |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/chris-cornell-the-rolling-stone-interview-79108/3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240629042634/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/chris-cornell-the-rolling-stone-interview-79108/3/ |archive-date=June 29, 2024 |access-date=July 31, 2024 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> [[Black Sabbath]] also had a significant impact on the band's sound, especially on the guitar riffs and tunings.<ref>[[Pete Prown]], Harvey P. Newquist, ''Legends of Rock Guitar'', Hal Leonard Corporation, 1997, p.246</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/interview-soundgardens-kim-thayil-alternate-tunings-king-animal-and-more |title=Soundgarden's Kim Thayil on Alternate Tunings, 'King Animal' and More |work=Guitar World |publisher=guitarworld.com |date=February 1, 2013 |access-date=August 24, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202235734/http://www.guitarworld.com/interview-soundgardens-kim-thayil-alternate-tunings-king-animal-and-more |archive-date=December 2, 2013 }}</ref> Guitarist Kim Thayil has described the band's sound as a "Sabbath-influenced punk".<ref name="prato" />

Soundgarden has been frequently compared to [[Led Zeppelin]], their early sound being described as consisting of "gnarled neo-Zeppelinisms".<ref>Azerrad, pg. 436.</ref> Though the band initially denied being inspired by Led Zeppelin, they would eventually embrace this influence, as detailed by Thayil:<blockquote>[W]e started getting [comparisons to Led Zeppelin] a lot: 'Zeppelin, Zeppelin, Zeppelin,' and we were like, OK, let's check some of this out. We were all very acquainted with it individually, but collectively we weren't sitting around the table listening them. So initially we would deny that influence. Eventually, after practice we'd be like, 'Let’s check out ''[[Led Zeppelin IV]]''.' Let’s listen to ''[[Houses of the Holy]]''.' Like, 'Yeah, I guess I can kind of see that a little bit.' It became very important to us, because of the comparison, so we would listen to it and start referencing it. Ultimately, we started to re-embrace the Zeppelin, [[The Beatles|Beatles]], [[Black Sabbath|Sabbath]] and [[Pink Floyd]]. I think they were always there. At some point, we had to look back and say, 'This has a lot to do with our upbringing.' It's a weird story, but it may explain why, for a few years, we denied the Zeppelin-Sabbath influence.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=February 24, 2015 |title=Led Zeppelin's 'Physical Graffiti' at 40: Soundgarden's Kim Thayil Looks Back |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/led-zeppelins-physical-graffiti-at-40-soundgardens-kim-thayil-looks-back-191933/2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607155640/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/led-zeppelins-physical-graffiti-at-40-soundgardens-kim-thayil-looks-back-191933/2/ |archive-date=June 7, 2023 |access-date=July 31, 2024 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref></blockquote>

Though the influence of Led Zeppelin was evident, ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' magazine noted that Soundgarden were "in thrall to '70s rock, but contemptuous of the genre's overt [[sexism]] and machismo."<ref>Brannigan, Paul. "Outshined". ''Q: Nirvana and the Story of Grunge''. December 2005. p. 102</ref>

The Butthole Surfers' mix of punk, heavy metal and noise rock was a major influence on the early work of Soundgarden.<ref name="Azerrad439">Azerrad, pg. 439</ref> Soundgarden, like other early grunge bands, were also influenced by British post-punk bands such as [[Gang of Four (band)|Gang of Four]] and [[Bauhaus (band)|Bauhaus]] which were popular in the early 1980s Seattle scene.<ref>[[Clinton Heylin|Heylin, Clinton]]. ''Babylon's Burning: From Punk to Grunge''. Conongate, 2007. {{ISBN|1-84195-879-4}}, p. 600</ref> The band was also influenced by the likes of the [[Ramones]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-04-19-9604190132-story.html|title=End of the Road|access-date=February 3, 2021|last=Kot|first=Greg|author-link=Greg Kot|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 19, 1996}}</ref> [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-06-17-9406170152-story.html|title=Kiss Tribute Puts Band In Its Place|access-date=February 3, 2021|last=Kot|first=Greg|author-link=Greg Kot|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=June 17, 1994}}</ref> [[Accept (band)|Accept]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-too-mean-to-die-by-accept-nuclear-blast/|title=Album Review: Too Mean to Die by Accept (Nuclear Blast)|access-date=February 3, 2021|last=Fisher|first=Brendan|work=Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life|date=January 20, 2021}}</ref> the [[Melvins]],<ref name="GW95">{{cite magazine |title=The Father, the Son and the Holy Grunge |magazine=[[Guitar World]] |date=February 1995}}</ref> and [[Saint Vitus (band)|Saint Vitus]].<ref name="GW95" />

The name of the band, according to Thayil, was supposed to include the many roots of their style: that included "a virtual plethora of cutting edge rock that spans [[Velvet Underground]], Meat Puppets, and [[Killing Joke]]". The band also mentioned "[[Metallica]] [[Gothic rock|Gothicism]] and sublime poetry. The almost ethereal flavour of the name betrays the brutality of the music but never pins Soundgarden in one corner".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Haughty Culture |magazine=Kerrang! |date=April 8, 1989}}</ref>

Cornell himself said: "When Soundgarden formed we were post-punk – pretty quirky. Then somehow we found this neo-Sabbath psychedelic rock that fitted well with who we were."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/mar/13/chris-cornell-interview-soundgarden-audioslave |title=Just like a rolling stone |work=theguardian.com |date=March 13, 2009 |access-date=November 15, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203090316/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/mar/13/chris-cornell-interview-soundgarden-audioslave |archive-date=December 3, 2013 }}</ref>

Soundgarden broadened its musical range with its later releases. By 1994's ''[[Superunknown]]'', the band began to incorporate more [[psychedelic music|psychedelic]] influences into its music.<ref>{{cite book|last=DeRogatis|first=Jim|author-link=Jim DeRogatis |title=Turn on Your Mind: Four Decades of Great Psychedelic Rock |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |year=2003|page=485|isbn=0-634-05548-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/superunknown-mw0000107152 |title=Superunknown |work=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=July 22, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603190011/http://www.allmusic.com/album/superunknown-mw0000107152 |archive-date=June 3, 2012}}</ref> Cornell also became known for his wide [[vocal range]] and his dark, [[existentialism|existentialist]] lyrics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2009-03-23-cornell-scream_N.htm |title=Chris Cornell takes another sonic shift with 'Scream' |work=[[USA Today]] |last=Gundersen |first=Edna |author-link=Edna Gundersen |access-date=April 29, 2009 |date=March 24, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327143114/http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2009-03-23-cornell-scream_N.htm |archive-date=March 27, 2009 }}</ref><ref>Letkemann, Jessica. "Soundgarden: Millions of Records Later and Back 'on the Upside'". ''[[Circus (magazine)|Circus]]''. August 1996.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2008/oct/31/grunge |title=Just 20 years on, grunge seems like ancient history |date=October 31, 2008 |access-date=July 14, 2009 |author=McManus, Darragh |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913200821/http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2008/oct/31/grunge |archive-date=September 13, 2014 }}</ref>

Soundgarden also used unorthodox [[time signature]]s; "Fell on Black Days" is in 6/4, "Limo Wreck" is played in 15/8, and "The Day I Tried to Live" alternates between 7/8 and 4/4 sections.<ref name="Rotondi" /> The main guitar riff of "Circle of Power" is in 5/4.<ref name="woodard">{{cite web|last=Woodard|first=Josef|url=http://web.stargate.net/soundgarden/articles/musician_3-92.shtml|title=How to grow your own twin-guitar attack|work=[[Musician (magazine)|Musician]]|date=March 1992|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418072239/http://web.stargate.net/soundgarden/articles/musician_3-92.shtml |archive-date=April 18, 2008}}</ref> The E strings of the instruments were at times tuned even lower, such as on "Rusty Cage", where the lower E is tuned down to B.<ref>Woodard, Josef. "Soundgarden's Kim Thayil & Chris Cornell". ''[[Musician (magazine)|Musician]]''. March 1992.</ref> Some songs use more unorthodox tunings: "Been Away Too Long", "My Wave", and "The Day I Tried to Live" are all in a E–E–B–B–B–B tuning and "Burden in My Hand", "Head Down", and "Pretty Noose" in a tuning of C-G-C-G-G-E".<ref name="Rotondi">Rotondi, James. "Alone in the Superunknown". ''[[Guitar Player]]''. June 1994.</ref> Thayil has said Soundgarden usually did not consider the time signature of a song until after the band wrote it, and said the use of odd meters was "a total accident".<ref name="Rotondi" /> He also used the meters as an example of the band's anti-commercial stance, saying that if Soundgarden "were in the business of hit singles, we'd at least write songs in 4/4 so you could dance to them".<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Brambarger|first=Bradley|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rQkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA105|title=The Modern Age|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=June 8, 1996|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425035624/https://books.google.com/books?id=rQkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA105|archive-date=April 25, 2016}}</ref>

==Legacy==
The development of the Seattle independent record label [[Sub Pop Records]] is tied closely to Soundgarden (due to Sub Pop co-founder [[Jonathan Poneman]] funding Soundgarden's early releases), and the success of the band resulted in the expansion of Sub Pop as a serious record label.{{according to whom|date=November 2024}}

Nirvana frontman [[Kurt Cobain]] was a fan of Soundgarden's music,<ref>{{cite news | author2 =  Cake | author1 =  Al Kowalewski  | title = An interview with...Kurt Cobain| work = [[Flipside (fanzine)|Flipside]] | issue = 78 | date = May–June 1992 }}</ref> and reportedly Soundgarden's involvement with Sub Pop influenced Cobain to sign Nirvana with the label.<ref name="Tortorici" /> Cobain also stated that Soundgarden was one of the only Seattle bands that he liked along with [[Tad (band)|Tad]] and [[Mudhoney]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egQFFn_5Zc0&t=5s |title=Dave Grohl - Chris Cornell Tribute |website=[[YouTube]] |date=19 May 2017 |access-date=26 May 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171102212131/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egQFFn_5Zc0&t=5s |archive-date=November 2, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In rare footage from the 2015 documentary ''[[Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck]]'', Cobain can be seen impersonating Chris Cornell singing "[[Outshined]]".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6553067/watch-kurt-cobain-imitate-chris-cornell-in-montage-of-heck-clip |title=Watch Kurt Cobain Imitate Chris Cornell In 'Montage of Heck' Clip |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=30 April 2015 |access-date=26 May 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019000523/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6553067/watch-kurt-cobain-imitate-chris-cornell-in-montage-of-heck-clip |archive-date=October 19, 2016 }}</ref> [[Alice in Chains]] guitarist and vocalist [[Jerry Cantrell]] stated that Soundgarden was a big influence on his band.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7NNXB8WYjw | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211029/r7NNXB8WYjw| archive-date=2021-10-29|title=Alice In Chains' Jerry Cantrell remembers Chris Cornell |date=April 14, 2018 |website=YouTube |access-date=October 4, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Soundgarden was the first grunge band to sign to a major label when the band joined the roster of A&M Records in 1988.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-soundgarden/172326555/|title=Hometown bands are making big waves elsewhere|first=Gillian|last=G. Garr|work=The News Tribune|page=80|date=August 28, 1988}}</ref> However, Soundgarden did not achieve success initially, and only with successive album releases did the band meet with increased sales and wider attention.<ref name="Colopino"/> Bassist Ben Shepherd has not been receptive to the grunge label, saying in a 2013 interview, "That's just marketing. It's called rock and roll, or it's called punk rock or whatever. We never were grunge, we were just a band from Seattle."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/wtf/soundgarden_refuse_to_be_labeled_as_grunge.html |title=Soundgarden Refuse to be Labeled as Grunge |website=[[Ultimate Guitar]] |date=May 13, 2013 |access-date=October 4, 2019}}</ref> They were ranked No.&nbsp;14 on VH1's ''100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock''.<ref name="vh1 greatest">{{Cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/62188/episode_wildcard.jhtml?wildcard=/shows/dynamic/includes/wildcards/the_greatest/hardrock_list_full.jhtml&event_id=862769&start=81 |title=100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock |website=VH1.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050210112157/http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/62188/episode_wildcard.jhtml?wildcard=%2Fshows%2Fdynamic%2Fincludes%2Fwildcards%2Fthe_greatest%2Fhardrock_list_full.jhtml&event_id=862769&start=81 |archive-date=February 10, 2005 |access-date=October 4, 2019 }}</ref>

In 1994, [[Electronic Arts]] contacted Soundgarden's label A&M Records for a bid to license the band's music for a [[Road Rash (1994 video game)|CD-based entry]] in the ''[[Road Rash]]'' video game series. Although the label was initially hesitant due to the lack of precedence for licensing music for video games, Cornell and his band members expressed enthusiasm, as they were fans of the games and frequently played them on their bus while touring the country. A&M then obtained the band's permission to use them as leverage to incorporate other alt-rock bands within the A&M label into the game, including [[Monster Magnet]], [[Paw (band)|Paw]], [[Swervedriver]], [[Therapy?]] and [[Hammerbox]].<ref name="ChrisCastle">{{cite web |url=https://musictechpolicy.com/2017/05/19/of-chris-cornell-soundgarden-and-road-rash/ |title=Of Chris Cornell, Soundgarden and ''Road Rash'' |first=Chris |last=Castle |website=Music, Technology, Policy |date=May 19, 2017 |access-date=June 20, 2019}}</ref> As a result of Soundgarden's involvement, the [[3DO Interactive Multiplayer|3DO]] version of ''Road Rash'' has been credited with revolutionizing the use of licensed music in video games.<ref name="OPM">{{cite magazine |last=Mollohan |first=Gary |title=Reviews: ''Road Rash 3D'' |magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]] |issue=11 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis Media]] |date=August 1998 |page=82−83}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Elston |first=Brett |title=17 videogame soundtracks ahead of their time |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/17-videogame-soundtracks-ahead-of-their-time/3/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013033223/https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/17-videogame-soundtracks-ahead-of-their-time/3/|archive-date=13 October 2019 |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] |access-date=6 June 2020 |page=3 |date=28 April 2009}}</ref>

Regarding Soundgarden's legacy, in a 2007 interview Cornell said:

<blockquote>I think, and this is now with some distance in listening to the records, but on the outside looking in with all earnestness I think Soundgarden made the best records out of that scene. I think we were the most daring and experimental and genre-pushing really and I'm really proud of it. And I guess that's why I have trepidation about the idea of re-forming. I don't know what it would mean, or I guess I just have this image of who we were and I had probably a lot of anxiety during the period of being Soundgarden, as we all did, that it was responsibility and it was an important band and music and we didn't want to mess it up and we managed to not, which I feel is a great achievement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--_rz1dHbIk |title=Cornell Hesitant To Tamper With Soundgarden Legacy |publisher=Artisan News Service |date=June 10, 2007 |access-date=July 2, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029145017/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--_rz1dHbIk |archive-date=October 29, 2009 }}</ref></blockquote>

Soundgarden has been praised for its technical musical ability, and the expansion of its sound as the band's career progressed.<ref>Phalen, Tom. "That Rock Thing: As Soundgarden Matures, the Band Finds Itself on Solid Ground". ''[[The Seattle Times]]''. December 5, 1996.</ref><ref name="Wilson">Wilson, Henry. "Soundgarden: A Fond Farewell". ''[[Hit Parader]]''. June 1997.</ref> "Heavy yet ethereal, powerful yet always-in-control, Soundgarden's music was a study in contrasts," said Henry Wilson of ''[[Hit Parader]]''. Wilson proclaimed the band's music as "a brilliant display of technical proficiency tempered by heart-felt emotion".<ref name="Wilson"/>

Soundgarden is one of the bands credited with the development of the [[alternative metal]] genre,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/style/alternative-metal-ma0000012328|title=Alternative Metal|website=AllMusic|access-date=March 5, 2024}}</ref> with [[AllMusic]]'s [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] stating that "Soundgarden made a place for heavy metal in alternative rock."<ref name="Erlewine"/> Ben Ratliff of ''Rolling Stone'' defined Soundgarden as the "standard-bearers" of the rock riff during the 1990s.<ref name=stoner_rock_rs>{{cite magazine|author=Ben Ratliff |author-link=Ben Ratliff |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/r-20000622 |title=R &#124; Album Reviews |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 22, 2000 |access-date=November 13, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203020527/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/233746/review/5943680|archive-date=December 3, 2007 }}</ref>

Several bands and artists from different genres have cited Soundgarden as an influence, including [[Biffy Clyro]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shapiro |first=Lexi |date=September 2007 |title=Biffy Clyro |url=http://www.theywillrockyou.com/interviews/index.php/interviews/biffy_clyro |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907084813/http://www.theywillrockyou.com/interviews/index.php/interviews/biffy_clyro |archive-date=September 7, 2008 |access-date=September 28, 2024 |website=theywillrockyou.com}}</ref> [[Stabbing Westward]],<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Shepard |first1=M |last2=Shepard |first2=J |date=2017 |title=The Man Behind The Music and The Mayhem - Christopher Hall |url=https://www.coolmagazineonline.com/christopher-hall |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724102912/https://www.coolmagazineonline.com/christopher-hall |archive-date=July 24, 2021 |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=Cool Magazine |quote=Soundgarden and Pearl Jam both had big influences on [[Ungod|our first album]]...}}</ref> [[the Dillinger Escape Plan]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kpsu.org/story/ben_weinman_of_the_dillinger_escape_plan |title=Ben Weinman of The Dillinger Escape Plan|work=KPSU|date=November 29, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704202333/http://www.kpsu.org/story/ben_weinman_of_the_dillinger_escape_plan |archive-date=July 4, 2008|access-date=July 22, 2009}}</ref> [[Cave In]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Colin |date=May 19, 2022 |title=Interview: Cave In's Stephen Brodsky, Adam McGrath Talk Latest Record, 'Heavy Pendulum' |url=https://newnoisemagazine.com/interviews/interview-cave-ins-stephen-brodsky-adam-mcgrath-talk-latest-record-heavy-pendulum/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025145650/https://newnoisemagazine.com/interviews/interview-cave-ins-stephen-brodsky-adam-mcgrath-talk-latest-record-heavy-pendulum/ |archive-date=October 25, 2022 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=[[New Noise Magazine]]}}</ref> [[Iceburn]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 25, 2021 |title=Gentry Densley - Interview |url=https://veilofsound.com/2021/12/25/Unsung_Heroes_No7-Gentry_Densley.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208153227/https://veilofsound.com/2021/12/25/Unsung_Heroes_No7-Gentry_Densley.html |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |access-date=October 20, 2024 |website=Veil of Sound |quote=There was (sic) a lot of other influences coming in though from [[John McLaughlin (musician)|John McLaughlin]] and [[Mahavishnu Orchestra]] to [[Slint]] and Soundgarden.}}</ref> [[The Fierce and the Dead]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Under the Influence with Stuart Marshall from The Fierce and the Dead |url=https://echoesanddust.com/2018/06/under-the-influence-with-stuart-marshall-from-the-fierce-and-the-dead/ |website=Echoes and Dust |date=13 August 2018 |access-date=18 April 2025}}</ref> and [[Amy Lee]] of [[Evanescence]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Evanescene's Amy Lee Remembers Chris Cornell: Soundgarden 'Changed What Metal Was To Me'|url=https://loudwire.com/evanescence-amy-lee-soundgarden-changed-what-metal-was-to-me/|first=Graham|last=Hartmann|website=Loudwire|access-date=April 27, 2025|date=May 23, 2017}}</ref> The members of [[Pantera]] have cited Soundgarden's second album ''Louder Than Love'' as one of the inspirations behind the direction change from [[glam metal]] to a more heavier [[groove metal|groove]] sound on their 1990 album ''[[Cowboys from Hell]]'', which also prompted the band to hire [[Terry Date]] to produce it.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Angle|first1=Brad|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/pantera-10-things-you-didnt-know-about-cowboys-hell/|title=Pantera: 10 Things You Didn't Know About 'Cowboys From Hell'|website=[[Westside Seattle]]|date=December 28, 2020|access-date=June 3, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Lawson|first1=Dom|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/pantera-cowboys-from-hell-story-behind-the-album|title=Pantera's Cowboys From Hell: the story behind the album|website=loudersound.com|date=July 9, 2021|access-date=June 3, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Wiederhorn|first1=Jon|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-story-behind-cowboys-from-hell-by-pantera|title=The Story Behind: Cowboys From Hell by Pantera|website=loudersound.com|date=December 9, 2019|access-date=June 3, 2025}}</ref> [[Metallica]] guitarist [[Kirk Hammett]] has claimed that the riffs for "[[Enter Sandman]]" were inspired by Soundgarden.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/qa-kirk-hammett-190000/ |title=Q&A: Kirk Hammett |last=Fricke |first=David |date=June 12, 2008 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=March 26, 2019 |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091756/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/qa-kirk-hammett-190000/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/kirk-hammett-enter-sandman-riff-was-inspired-soundgarden |title=Kirk Hammett: "Enter Sandman" Riff Was Inspired By Soundgarden |last=Camp |first=Zoe |date=September 14, 2017 |website=Revolver |access-date=March 26, 2019 |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326022910/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/kirk-hammett-enter-sandman-riff-was-inspired-soundgarden |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2017, ''Metal Injection'' ranked Soundgarden at number three on their list of 10 Heaviest Grunge Bands.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.metalinjection.net/lists/10-heaviest-grunge-bands |title=10 Heaviest Grunge Bands |work=Metal Injection |access-date=June 16, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729091604/http://www.metalinjection.net/lists/10-heaviest-grunge-bands |archive-date=July 29, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ''[[Loudwire]]'' recognizes Soundgarden as one of the "big four" bands of grunge, alongside Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Childers |first1=Chad |title=Every 'Big 4' Grunge Album, Ranked Worst to Best |url=https://loudwire.com/every-big-4-alice-in-chains-nirvana-pearl-jam-soundgarden-grunge-album-ranked-worst-to-best/#:~:text=Every%20'Big%204%E2%80%B2%20(Alice,Album%2C%20Ranked%20Worst%20to%20Best&text=Thrash%20may%20have%20their%20%22Big,little%20over%20half%20the%20decade. |website=[[Loudwire]] |access-date=March 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008102657/https://loudwire.com/every-big-4-alice-in-chains-nirvana-pearl-jam-soundgarden-grunge-album-ranked-worst-to-best/ |archive-date=October 8, 2022 |date=October 7, 2022}}</ref>

==Members==
*[[Kim Thayil]]&nbsp;– lead guitar (1984–1997, 2010–2017, 2019, 2025), rhythm guitar (1984–1988, 2019)
*[[Chris Cornell]]&nbsp;– lead vocals (1984–1997, 2010–2017; his death), rhythm guitar (1988–1997, 2010–2017), drums (1984–1985)
*[[Hiro Yamamoto]]&nbsp;– bass, backing vocals (1984–1989, 2025)
*[[Scott Sundquist]]&nbsp;– drums (1985–1986)
*[[Matt Cameron]]&nbsp;– drums, percussion, backing vocals (1986–1997, 2010–2017, 2019, 2025)
*[[Jason Everman]]&nbsp;– bass (1989–1990)
*[[Ben Shepherd]]&nbsp;– bass (1990–1997, 2010–2017, 2019, 2025), backing vocals (1994–1997, 2010–2017, 2019)

===Timeline===
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize  = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea   = left:90 bottom:80 top:0 right:15
Alignbars  = justify
DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period     = from:01/01/1984 till:11/11/2025
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend     = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4
ScaleMajor = increment:5 start:1984
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1984

Colors =
 id:lv      value:red           legend:Lead_vocals
 id:bv      value:pink          legend:Backing_vocals
 id:lg      value:teal          legend:Lead_guitar
 id:rg      value:brightgreen   legend:Rhythm_guitar
 id:bass    value:blue          legend:Bass
 id:drums   value:orange        legend:Drums,_percussion
 id:studio  value:black         legend:Studio_album
 id:EP      value:gray(0.4)     legend:Extended_play

LineData =
 color:EP     layer:back
 at:01/10/1987
 at:01/08/1988
 at:01/10/1990
 color:studio layer:back
 at:31/10/1988
 at:05/09/1989
 at:08/10/1991
 at:08/03/1994
 at:21/05/1996
 at:13/11/2012

BarData =
 bar:Cor text:Chris Cornell
 bar:Tha text:Kim Thayil
 bar:Yam text:Hiro Yamamoto
 bar:Eve text:Jason Everman
 bar:She text:Ben Shepherd
 bar:Sun text:Scott Sundquist
 bar:Cam text:Matt Cameron

PlotData =
 width:11
 bar:Cor from:start      till:01/05/1997 color:lv
 bar:Cor from:02/08/1988 till:01/05/1997 color:rg    width:3
 bar:Cor from:01/01/2010 till:17/05/2017 color:lv
 bar:Cor from:01/01/2010 till:17/05/2017 color:rg    width:3
 bar:Cor from:start      till:01/01/1985 color:drums width:3
 bar:Tha from:start      till:01/05/1997 color:lg
 bar:Tha from:start      till:02/08/1988 color:rg    width:3
 bar:Tha from:01/01/2010 till:17/05/2017 color:lg
 bar:Tha from:19/01/2019 till:19/01/2019 color:lg
 bar:Tha from:19/01/2019 till:19/01/2019 color:rg    width:3
 bar:Tha from:08/11/2025 till:08/11/2025 color:lg
 bar:Yam from:start      till:24/09/1989 color:bass
 bar:Yam from:start      till:24/09/1989 color:bv    width:3
 bar:Yam from:08/11/2025      till:08/11/2025 color:bass
 bar:Eve from:24/09/1989 till:01/06/1990 color:bass
 bar:She from:01/06/1990 till:01/05/1997 color:bass
 bar:She from:07/01/1993 till:01/05/1997 color:bv    width:3
 bar:She from:01/01/2010 till:17/05/2017 color:bass
 bar:She from:01/01/2010 till:17/05/2017 color:bv    width:3
 bar:She from:19/01/2019 till:19/01/2019 color:bass
 bar:She from:19/01/2019 till:19/01/2019 color:bv    width:3
 bar:She from:08/11/2025 till:08/11/2025 color:bass
 bar:Sun from:01/01/1985 till:01/01/1986 color:drums
 bar:Cam from:01/01/1986 till:01/05/1997 color:drums
 bar:Cam from:01/01/1986 till:01/05/1997 color:bv    width:3
 bar:Cam from:01/01/2010 till:17/05/2017 color:drums
 bar:Cam from:01/01/2010 till:17/05/2017 color:bv    width:3
 bar:Cam from:19/01/2019 till:19/01/2019 color:drums
 bar:Cam from:19/01/2019 till:19/01/2019 color:bv    width:3
 bar:Cam from:08/11/2025 till:08/11/2025 color:drums
}}

==Discography==
{{main list|Soundgarden discography}}

===Studio albums===
*''[[Ultramega OK]]'' (1988)
*''[[Louder Than Love]]'' (1989)
*''[[Badmotorfinger]]'' (1991)
*''[[Superunknown]]'' (1994)
*''[[Down on the Upside]]'' (1996)
*''[[King Animal]]'' (2012)

==Awards and nominations==
'''Clio Awards'''
{{awards table}}
|-
|1995 || "[[Black Hole Sun]]" || Alternative Music Video || {{won}}
|-
{{end}}

'''Grammy Awards'''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Nominated work
!Award
!Result
|-
|align=center|[[Grammy Awards of 1990|1990]]
|''[[Ultramega OK]]''
| rowspan="4" |[[Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance|Best Metal Performance]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|align=center|[[Grammy Awards of 1992|1992]]
|''[[Badmotorfinger]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|align=center|[[Grammy Awards of 1993|1993]]
|"Into the Void (Sealth)"
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|[[Grammy Awards of 1995|1995]]
|''[[Spoonman]]''
|{{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | "Black Hole Sun"
|[[Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance|Best Hard Rock Performance]]
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Grammy Award for Best Rock Song|Best Rock Song]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|''[[Superunknown]]''
|[[Grammy Award for Best Rock Album|Best Rock Album]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|align=center|[[Grammy Awards of 1997|1997]]
|"Pretty Noose"
|Best Hard Rock Performance
|{{nom}}
|-
|align=center|[[Grammy Awards of 2011|2011]]
|"Black Rain"
|Best Hard Rock Performance
|{{nom}}
|}

'''MTV Europe Music Awards'''

{{award table}}
|-
| [[1994 MTV Europe Music Awards|1994]] 
| Soundgarden 
| Best Rock 
| {{nom}} 
{{end}}

'''MTV Video Music Awards'''

{{award table}}
|-
| [[1994 MTV Video Music Awards|1994]]
| "Black Hole Sun"
| Best Metal/Hard Rock Video
| {{won}}
{{end}}

'''Northwest Area Music Awards'''

{{awards table}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| 1991
| Chris Cornell
| Best Male Vocalist
| {{won}}
|-
| Matt Cameron
| Best Musician - Drums
| {{won}}
|-
| Soundgarden
| Best Rock Group<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19910304/1269658/established-acts-take-big-awards|title=Established Acts Take Big Awards|website=The Seattle Times|date=March 4, 1991|access-date=September 7, 2018|archive-date=June 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620221214/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19910304&slug=1269658|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="4"| 1992
| Matt Cameron
| Best Drums
| {{won}}
|-
| Chris Cornell
| Best Male Vocalist
| {{won}}
|-
| ''Badmotorfinger''
| Best Metal Album
| {{won}}
|-
| Soundgarden
| Best Metal Group<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19920323/1482554/nirvana-wins-five-awards-at-music-fete|title=Nirvana Wins Five Awards At Music Fete|website=The Seattle Times|date=March 23, 1992|access-date=October 5, 2018|archive-date=September 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907183110/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19920323&slug=1482554|url-status=live}}</ref>
| {{won}}
{{end}}

'''Revolver Music Awards'''
{{awards table}}
|-
| rowspan="4"| 2013
| King Animal
| Album of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| Soundgarden
| Comeback of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| Kim Thayil
| Best Guitarist
| {{nom}}
|-
| Chris Cornell
| Best Vocalist<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/show-recap/revolver-golden-gods-awards-2013-winners-and-performance-highlights|title=REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS Awards 2013: Winners And Performance Highlights|website=Metal Injection|date=May 3, 2013}}</ref>
| {{nom}} 
{{end}}

'''Rock and Roll Hall of Fame'''

{{awards table}}
|-
| 2020
| Soundgarden
| Performers<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockhall.com/2020-nominees|title=Class of 2020 Nominees|date=10 September 2020|website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|access-date=15 October 2019}}</ref>
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2025
| Soundgarden
| Performers<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockhall.com/2025-nominees|title=Class of 2025 Nominees|date=28 April 2025|website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|access-date=25 April 2025}}</ref>
| {{won}}
{{end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last=Nickson|first=Chris|author-link=Chris Nickson|title=Soundgarden: New Metal Crown|publisher=[[St. Martin's Griffin]]|year=1995|isbn=978-0-312-13607-9}}
*{{cite book|last=Prato|first=Greg|title=Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|year=2009|isbn=978-1-55022-877-9}}
*{{cite book|last=Prato|first=Greg|title=Dark Black and Blue: The Soundgarden Story|publisher=Independently published|year=2019|isbn=978-1-69108-613-9}}
*{{cite book|last=English|first=Mike & Jaye|title=Photofantasm Soundgarden: Nudedragons to King Animal|publisher=Spoondog Entertainment Group|year=2015|isbn=978-0-988530-01-0}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{Commons-inline|Soundgarden}}
*{{Official website}}
*{{AllMusic}}
*{{Discogs artist}}
*{{IMDb name}}

{{Soundgarden}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Soundgarden
|list =
{{Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance}}
{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video}}
{{2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|state=collapsed}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

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