Who's waiting for Soundgarden to return? Perhaps that question was formulated a little too negatively, because in the early nineties Soundgarden was an excellent rock band. The albums Badmotorfinger (1991) and Superunknown (1994) have stood the test of time very well. After a mediocre album (Down On The Upside) the group broke up in 1996. There had never really been a fight, so why not try again,
… thought bassist Ben Shepherd. He lured his old bandmates Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron into the studio under the guise of a guest appearance on his solo album. A good idea, because the first half of King Animal in particular sounds remarkably inspired. The guitar line of the opening song Been Away Too Long rivals the best riffs in their oeuvre. Also good to hear, that Chris Cornell's howling voice has not lost momentum. Fortunately King Animal turned out to be a successful comeback album. (PdK)more
