Soundgarden Drummer Matt Cameron: Band Mixing Final LP With Cornell Vocals

Soundgarden is in the final stages of preparing a new album featuring the last vocal recordings of their late frontman Chris Cornell. According to drummer Matt Cameron, the band has been assembling this project from material worked on by Cornell and the group before his death in 2017.

The forthcoming record consists of eight tracks that blend vocals Cornell laid down atop instrumentals that Cameron and the band wrote and arranged in the years leading up to their final tour together. These sessions date back to around 2013 or 2014 when the band members exchanged demos and ideas remotely, with Cornell reshaping and adding to the compositions.

Cameron detailed that by 2015 and 2016, the band had convened in various studios to further develop the songs and rehearse collectively. They recorded these rehearsals, capturing material that included Cornell playing guitar, which will feature on the album. The goal has been to build upon these foundations, integrating the singer’s demo vocals with fresh arrangements from the remaining band members.

The mixing process is currently underway under the guidance of producer Joe Barresi, known for his work with artists such as Avenged Sevenfold and Bad Religion. Cameron indicated that nearly all available vocal tracks have been included, while guitarist Kim Thayil may explore completing some additional instrumental pieces.

This release marks a significant moment for Soundgarden, as it represents the group’s first album project since Cornell’s passing at age 52 in May 2017, shortly after a performance at Detroit’s Fox Theatre. The band reunited in 2010 after a long hiatus, and this album emerges from their creative efforts during that second phase.

Thayil described the album's creation as a complex and unconventional process involving thorough examination and enhancement of existing recordings. The trio has had to navigate the challenge of completing an album without Cornell, but their work builds directly on the singer’s existing contributions, allowing them to honor his artistic vision while filling in necessary gaps.

Despite the emotional weight of revisiting these recordings, Cameron expressed optimism about sharing the final product with fans. He noted the intense experience for the band but conveyed hope that listeners would embrace the album, which retains the distinctive Soundgarden sound cultivated over decades.

While no official release date has been announced, the band is focused on finalizing the project. Cameron suggested that once this milestone is reached, the group will evaluate future possibilities, potentially including new collaborations among the surviving members.

Details remain limited regarding the full scope of the album's content, but Cameron highlighted the presence of several strong songs that reflect the collaborative spirit of the band. This project therefore stands as both a tribute to Cornell’s legacy and a continuation of Soundgarden’s influential contribution to rock music.

As the band completes this final chapter, the album promises to offer a poignant glimpse into what might have been the next evolution of their sound, capturing the creative synergy between Cornell and his longtime bandmates up until his untimely death.