Soundgarden were one of the pioneers of the so-called 'Seattle scene' in the '90s, but not before having already unleashed an uncompromising debut album in 'Ultramega OK' on SST back in 1988, before ripping jeans at the knees became fashionable. The album earned them a major label deal with A&M and their first hit album eventually arrived in 1991 with 'Badmotorfinger', which contained three of their greatest singles in 'Jesus Christ Pose', 'Outshined' and the Johnny Cash-covered 'Rusty Cage'.

However, it was the follow-up and the band's 3rd collection that crossed them over to mainstream success. 'Superunknown' was and still is an out and out belter. 'Spoonman', 'Black Hole Sun' and 'The Day I Tried to Live', the list sort of goes on. After just one more album, 'Down on the Upside', the band imploded in the mid-90s. Aside from the occasional romp through Soundgarden's canon by A&M, there has been little in the way of new material to speak of - until now.

"King Animal" will be their sixth album and their first in 16 years, planned for release on 16th November at around the same time as a career-spanning box-set (details to come). If you chanced upon their Hard Rock Calling and/or Download appearances this year, you may have heard some of the new material, as typically uncompromising as ever. If not, read on.....

Shepherd's Bush Empire will host an exclusive and intimate (for Soundgarden anyway) concert on 9th November, featuring Chris Cornell and the lads in full throttle with new and old songs alike. We will have tickets to the show from 10am on Friday 26th October, priced from £39.50. It will be time to get your badmotorfinger ready in order to claim tickets (they'll fly out).