by Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron has provided an update on the band’s upcoming final album featuring late vocalist Chris Cornell.
He confirmed significant progress on the project in a recent statement shared on Billboard.
Cameron discussed the current status of the album and the emotional journey of working with Cornell’s final recordings.
“There’s not a set release date or anything as of yet,” Cameron said. “There were a couple schools of thought, like, ‘Hey, let’s put out a single.’ I think eventually we decided we want to make sure the whole thing is completed before we start releasing singles. I’m excited for people to hear it.”
The drummer also revealed details about the recording progress and the band’s approach to completing the project.
“We’re definitely over halfway done with it,” he continued. “Kim (Thayil) is in the process of finishing his guitar parts; he wants to make sure they get exactly the way he wants them.”
Cameron opened up about the emotional challenges of working on the album while processing the loss of their longtime bandmate.
“Emotionally it’s been extreme highs and extreme lows,” he said. “Hearing [Cornell’s] voice on these powerful hard rock songs is the most empowering thing in the world for me. Then I listen to his voice soloed up when I’m working on stuff, or if Kim or Ben is working on something, and it all comes back to the fact that he’s not with us and he left us in a way that has so many questions. It’s been gut-wrenching but at the same time very empowering.”
The album represents the final studio recordings from the pioneering grunge band featuring Cornell’s vocals.
The path to completing this final album has been marked by significant challenges beyond the emotional toll of working with Cornell’s posthumous recordings.
997 The Fox reported that the band faced legal disputes with Chris Cornell’s estate over the rights to unreleased material. These disputes delayed the album’s completion for an extended period. A settlement appeared to be reached in 2023, but Cameron acknowledged they were still amid a dispute that kept the project on hold for some time.
Guitarist Kim Thayil has expressed unwavering commitment to finishing the album. He described it as both a tribute to Cornell and a collective work that the band takes pride in completing. X Rock FM noted that the band considers releasing this album not only as a gift to their fans but also as a meaningful tribute to Chris Cornell’s legacy.
The emotional impact of the recording process extends beyond Cameron’s experience. The Line of Best Fit revealed that longtime bassist Ben Shepherd has reflected on the profound emotional impact of hearing Cornell’s vocals again during playback sessions. He particularly highlighted the song “The Road Less Traveled,” which was co-written by Cornell and Cameron and is part of this final album.
The band’s dedication to completing the project reflects their commitment to honoring Cornell’s artistic vision while providing closure for both themselves and their fanbase. The careful approach to finishing the album demonstrates their respect for the material and Cornell’s legacy. Thayil is meticulously working on his guitar parts, and the band decided to complete the entire project before releasing singles.
