This Seattle-based US quartet fused influences as diverse as Led Zeppelin,
the Stooges, Velvet Underground and the Cult into a dirty, sweaty and sexually
explicit style of rock 'n' roll. The group initially comprised Chris Cornell 
(vocals/guitar), Kim Thayil (guitar), Hiro Yamamoto (bass) and Matt Cameron 
(drums). Their sound is characterized by heavy-duty, bass-laden metallic riffs 
that swing between dark psychedelia and avant garde minimalism. Cornell's 
ranting vocal style completes the effect. After signing to SST Records and 
releasing ULTRAMEGA OK, they attracted the attention of A&M Records and eventually
 released LOUDER THAN LOVE, one of the most underrated and offbeat rock albums 
of 1989. It also meant that they were the first of the Sub Pop generation to sign 
to a major. Following its release Cameron and Cornell would also participate in the
two million selling TEMPLE OF THE DOG album, which co-featured Pearl Jam members 
Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament. However, following the recording sessions
for LOUDER THAN LOVE Yamamoto would be replaced by Jason Everman (ex-Nirvana, who
would record on only one track, a cover of the Beatles' "Come Together," before 
departing for Mindfunk via Skunk). His eventual replacement would be band friend 
Ben "Hunter" Shepherd. BADMOTORFINGER built on the group's succesful formula but
added Black Sabbath riffs, grungy guitar and their own perspectives on politics,
religion and life. Landing the support slot to Guns N' Roses' US ILLUSIONS tour 
deservedly opened Soundgarden up to a much wider audience. This was capitalized 
on by their fourth long player, which debuted at number 1 on the Billboard chart 
on 19 March 1994. Produced by Michael Beinhorn (Soul Asylum, Red Hot Chili Peppers 
etc.) and the band themselves, it was a magnum opus clocking in at more than
70 minutes and featuring 15 songs. It was promoted by an Australasian tour in 
January 1994, headlining the Big Day Out festival package above the Ramones, 
Smashing Pumpkins and Teenage Fanclub, before moving on to Japan.  

 (taken from Music Central 1997)