ENCORE OF THE MONTH
February, 2022
Soundgarden
Soundgarden were a band that were leading the emergence of the Pacific Northwest alternative rock sound called grunge. It has to be stated upfront that the band did not like the label. Nevertheless, they were one of the first bands to sign to Sub Pop and are considered by many to be the band that pioneered the alternative metal genre. They released two EPs via the Sub Pop label with 'Screaming Life' coming out in 1987 and 'Flopp' in 1988. 'Hunted Down' was the first and only single to be released and it made other labels sit up and take notice.
The band left Sub Pop and signed with SST Records. The band released their debut album 'Ultramerge OK' with the label and it was nominated for a Grammy for best Metal Performance. 'Flower' was the only single to be released from the album.
Soundgarden switched labels to A&M which made them one of the first grunge bands to sign with a major label. 'Louder than Love' and 'Badmotorfinger' rapidly expanded the band's growing legion of fans. 'Outshine' was the second single from 'Badmotorfinger' and it was the first Soundgarden song to make its way into the mainstream charts.
The band reach new heights with the release of their fourth album 'Superunknown'. The album debuted at number 1 and is considered by many to be one of the greatest albums of all time. 'Spoonman' was the first single from the album and it heralded a change in the band's musical direction. The song won a Grammy for best metal performance and charted around the world.
'Black Hole Sun' was the third song from the album and it set the world on fire. It is without doubt the band's best know song and it has one of the best guitar solos of all time. It is not surprising the song won a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance.
Soundgarden were one of the best bands of all time. They laid the foundation for the grunge music genre and ensured that metal was a part of the mix.
Share: