Soundgarden's first studio album in 16 years is nearly upon us, and it's going to be called King Animal. Yesterday, the grunge veterans announced the title of their forthcoming set, which is their first disc of new material since reuniting New Year's Day 2010. (Of course, as we learned later, it wasn't really meant to be a reunion, but here we are.)
The album was initially believed to be coming out November 13, which would have been almost exactly 24 years after the release of their first LP, Ultramega OK. But Soundgarden's website merely lists "Autumn 2012" for the album's unveiling.
Regardless of exactly when it's coming out, King Animal will be a test of Soundgarden's enduring popularity, and it's difficult to predict just how well it will perform. The band's "Live to Rise," which played over the end credits of The Avengers, only got as high as No. 4 on the Billboard Rock Songs chart. Clearly, Soundgarden still have plenty of fans, but will they be interested enough in buying new music from the band? Put it this way: Soundgarden have been gone so long that someone born when their last disc, Down on the Upside, came out would now be old enough to drive. No doubt this Seattle quartet are hoping that King Animal will cater to a couple generations of rock fans.
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