“We want to do it proud” - Soundgarden's final album set to feature late frontman Chris Cornell

Soundgarden guitarist, Kim Thayil recently shared big news for fans of the Seattle grunge band. When the Thayil spoke to Rolling Stones about the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he also shared that they intend to release their final album. The band’s members had been working on the album before Soundgarden’s vocalist, Chris Cornell, died by suicide in 2017.

Thayil, while sharing his feelings about the late Cornell and the band’s final collaboration with him, said,

“it takes on an entirely different weight when you think about what it is you’re honoring, and the work that you’re paying tribute to. It is us collectively. We want to do it proud. And that part of us is certainly one of the most intimate components of what Soundgarden has been since 1984.”

Thayil further acknowledged during his conversation with Rolling Stones that he had always intended to complete the final record, given its emotional importance for the band members. He said,

“Our objective and goal was always to complete that. I probably have OCD enough to not want to leave something unfinished or incomplete like that, so I think the more we can attend to our body of work and our catalog…I think everyone in the band feels that way.”

Chris Cornell was found dead in a Detroit hotel. As per a report by BBC, traces of several drugs were found in his body upon examination, however, the coroner’s report ruled the death a suicide. Cornell was 52 at the time of his death.

Seven years after the lead vocalist’s death, Soundgarden will finally be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. Previously, the band had been nominated for the same honor twice, in 2020 and in 2023.

As per a report by Vice, Cornell’s widow, Vicky Cornell, shared her gratitude to the band’s fans through social media. She expressed that her late husband would be honored with the love and support the band still receives.

Soundgarden’s history explored

As per Chris Cornell’s website, the Seattle grunge band was formed in 1984 by Cornell along with bassist Hira Yamamoto and guitarist Kim Thayil.

Initially, Cornell was in charge of the vocals as well as the drums. Soon after, Scott Sundquist was brought in as the drummer. By 1987, however, Sundquist was replaced by Matt Cameron as the drummer for the band.

Within a few years of the band’s formation, there were more changes in the rock band’s membership. Founding member Hira Yamamoto left the band, and was replaced by Jason Everman. However, bassist Jason Everman’s stint in the band was brief, and he was soon replaced by Ben Shepherd.

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The band membership remained stable for a few more years, which was when Soundgarden produced hit albums like Superunknown and Down on the Upside. As per IMDb, Superunknown, which was released in 1994, topped the hit charts that year.

The band went through a split in 1997 and remained inactive for more than a decade. In 2010, the band made a comeback with members Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron, and Ben Shepherd. The band toured extensively until Cornell’s death in 2017.

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