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soundgarden

2025

With their pioneering fusion of punk, metal and experimental edge, Soundgarden kicked off the Seattle-based grunge movement, breaking ground for Nirvana and Pearl Jam, among others. The first of the genre’s bands on a major label, they achieved global success with the aggressive Badmotorfinger and multiplatinum, emotionally deep Superunknown. Their reputation as an untouchable live act with compelling, radio-friendly albums broadened the possibilities of modern rock.

Impact

Soundgarden redeemed hard rock music. [They]combined nuanced, poetic intelligence in the lyrics, but unapologetically kicked your ass with rock & roll.

Tom Morello

Rage Against the Machine

Signature Sound

Soundgarden’s late ‘80s material featured raw, sludgy grooves, unbridled indie punk aggression and astonishing vocals. In the early ‘90s, the band’s focus shifted to tighter songs, alternate tunings and offbeat time signatures. Their ’94 commercial breakthrough “Black Hole Sun” merged Beatles-esque melodic sophistication, classic metal riffage and dark, poetic lyricism.

Flower

Ultramega OK (1989)

Hands All Over

Louder Than Love (1990)

Rusty Cage

Badmotorfinger (1992)

Black Hole Sun

Superunknown (1994)

Fell On Black Days

Superunknown (1995)

The only single from the band’s indie debut, everything is there: Zeppelin-y riffage, Beatles-y melody and aggressive punk screaming. Attention was paid.

Paper Artifacts

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