Soundgarden Working On New Music With Chris Cornell Demos

Newly minted Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Soundgarden capped off their induction with a powerful performance alongside guest stars Jerry Cantrell, Mike McCready, Brandi Carlile and Taylor Momsen.

In the days leading up to the ceremony, the band sat down with reporter Alison Hagendorf and revealed that they’ve been working on new music built around unreleased recordings featuring Chris Cornell. After negotiating with Cornell’s estate earlier this year, Soundgarden secured the demos and began shaping them into finished tracks.

Throughout 2025, band members spoke sporadically about the experience of hearing Cornell’s voice in the studio again—an emotional reminder of the power that defined their sound.

Producer Terry Date is helming the project. “That’s the cool thing about Terry,” guitarist Kim Thayil explained. “He wouldn’t impose his production style on any band—he’d learn from the band. He always wanted it to be a co-production.”

Drummer Matt Cameron described the sessions as both familiar and forward-looking: “There are very recognizable elements, but a couple of songs feel like they could have been a new chapter. It’s exciting, but bittersweet. Sometimes listening to it is overpowering, but I’m proud of what we’re putting together. We’re pretty close.”

Bassist Ben Shepherd recalled hearing Cornell’s demos for the first time in the studio: “I was going to get coffee down the hall, and Nate [assistant engineer] and Terry were playing it. I thought, ‘That’s Soundgarden again—whoa, cool!’ There’s a feeling. Kim had just finished his guitar track, I had finished my bassline, and I thought fans would say, ‘It’s Soundgarden.’ Remember, I’m one of the first fans of Soundgarden.”

Soundgarden appeared to really appreciate the love at the Hall's ceremony recently. Thayil reflected on Cornell’s appreciation for the Hall of Fame itself: “He’s the one who convinced me it was something beneficial and honorable. He inducted Heart and loved the enthusiasm of the fans. He felt it was really important to them. If we ever got that recognition, we’d get that love from the fans.”

With this project, Soundgarden is preparing what will likely be their final chapter—music that completes their storied catalog while honoring the voice that made them legendary.