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&MRecords and eventually released LOUDER THAN LOVE, one of the most underrated and off beat 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' UILLUSIONS 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)