Album Review: Soundgarden - King Animal

Sometimes as teenagers you do stupid stuff. Back in 1997 when Soundgarden played Festival Hall, I made the mistake of drinking too much (watered down) beer and couldn't really remember their main set. At the time, I just presumed there would be another time to catch them but a few weeks later Soundgarden broke up and I had to wait another 15 years to see them again. However, it was still worth the wait, and as they fronted the stage at the Myer Music Bowl last February it was clear this Seattle quartet had patched up their differences and rediscovered that group dynamic – one Chris Cornell's Audioslave never really possessed – as they ripped through a simply stunning set.

But playing old hits is one thing and I still wondered whether any new material would have a similar spark after such a long time? With King Animal, the answer is a qualified yes. Opening strongly, Been Away Too Long pokes fun at their long absence amidst a trademark flurry of percussion from Matt Cameron. The band follow this with a belting rocker in Non-State Actor before the Eastern influences they touched on at times on 1994's Superunknown get another going over in the classy A Thousand Days Before. Cornell's voice may not be quite as powerful as before, but it still sounds pretty good, while the band are in full throttle mode as they finish on a real high. As Kim Thayil lets rip his guitars, the band deliver album highlights Eyelid's Mouth and Rowing. The album lags a bit in the middle with some slower material that is more akin to Cornell's solo work, but this is still one seriously strong return to the scene.