Soundgarden is nearing completion of their final album, which will feature the vocals of late frontman Chris Cornell. Recent statements shared on The PRP confirm this progress.
Drummer Matt Cameron discussed the emotional complexity of working on the project with Cornell’s archived vocals. He described the experience as both uplifting and challenging, noting that some of the material represents new creative directions for the band.
“It’s a massive emotional roller coaster. A lot of highs, a lot of lows,” Cameron said. “The highs are based on the fact that the music is seeing its light of day, it’s coming to life. Some of it feels like it could have been a new chapter in songwriting for the group, so that’s super bittersweet. But it’s been challenging to work on some of this music, soloing up Chris’ vocals and hearing that beautiful voice come through the speakers all on its own.”
Guitarist Kim Thayil reflected on the extended timeline of the project and its emotional weight. He emphasized that completing the album now serves as a tribute to Cornell, who passed away in 2017.
“The delay in the process was damaging in some ways to the emotive nature of the experience,” Thayil said. “Certainly, it’s great that we’re doing it now. But there’s something also beneficial about that because we’re doing it now, and it’s beautiful. It’s a way to post tribute to our beloved brother. All of it just has that much more weight emotionally and creatively, and we don’t take that lightly.”
Regarding potential live performances, Cameron indicated that the band is exploring possibilities but remains focused on completing the album first. He mentioned that several singers have expressed interest in performing the material on stage.
“We haven’t really gotten there yet. We’re just trying to get the music together,” Cameron said. “But I think there might be some situations where it would be really cool to do that. It’s just a matter of getting the right people together, and we’ve got some amazing people that we’ve been working with, some singers that have expressed interest. So, we’re really, really excited about what that could potentially look like.”
The final album represents a significant undertaking for the Seattle legends. It draws from material spanning several years of the band’s creative process. Consequence reported that the album will consist of eight songs based on demos and rehearsal recordings from 2015 to 2017. The band built around Cornell’s vocal tracks for these compositions. Cameron revealed that the band is approximately 70 percent finished with tracking. Guitarist Kim Thayil is still perfecting his parts to ensure a cohesive and polished final product.
The meticulous approach to completing the album reflects the band’s commitment to honoring Cornell’s legacy. American Songwriter detailed how the band has carefully isolated and enhanced Cornell’s vocal performances from the original recordings. This process requires both technical precision and emotional sensitivity. Each track captures the essence of what Soundgarden intended during those formative recording sessions.
The timing of the album’s completion carries added significance for the band’s legacy. Sonic Perspectives noted that Soundgarden will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on November 8, 2025. This historic moment coincides with the final album’s near-completion. The recognition underscores the band’s enduring influence on rock music and the cultural significance of this posthumous project.
