It’s certainly one of the most bittersweet releases of the year. Soundgarden’s new live album, recorded on the final night of their epic ‘King Animal’ tour. Entitled ‘Live From The Artists Den’ due to the fact that the Artists Den are responsible for capturing the set. The title can actually be misleading. The show was recorded at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles. The concert captures the late Soundgarden at their finest.
Soundgarden were always what I would consider a ‘live band.’ So new live material will forever be welcome. Actually, I always found it interesting that the band didn’t release any audio live material until 2011’s ‘Live…On I-5.’ Then they reissued an audio version of the Paramount Theater concert from 1992. But that’s only available on the super-deluxe edition of the ‘Badmotorfinger’ album. Although Kim Thayil has stated they will release the show as it’s own separate album. Either way, ‘Live From The Artists Den’ is a fulfilling live document. It shows that Soundgarden hadn’t lost any edge since their inexplicable break up in 1998. The massive 29 song set runs the gamut from heavy to funky to alternative to jam. And of course, it’s all blended seamlessly in the bands sound. Something I’m going to miss about Soundgarden is that they were the meeting place for the metal heads and the alternative rockers. And this live document is a testament to their influence.
Not only that, but the accuracy and ferocity of the performance is nearly unmatched. It’s like Soungarden never missed a beat. And then got better. The album starts with the ‘Ultramega OK’ track ‘Incessant Mace.’ And they jam the crap out of that bluesy feel that they can bring. Something their peers lacked (minus Alice In Chains). From there, it’s an incredible mix of the bands entire career. Playing most of the tracks from the latest ‘King Animal.’ And they sound terrific. ‘Worse Dreams,’ ‘Taree,’ ‘Non-State Actor’ and ‘Blood on the Valley Floor’ mix perfectly with the heavy classics such as ‘Flower,’ ‘Rusty Cage,’ ‘Jesus Christ Pose,’ and ‘4th of July.’ Mostly because the ‘King Animal’ album honors everything that’s amazing about Soundgarden.
But the set list goes beyond that. It’s meticulously put together for maximum effect. The two unplayed live tracks ‘Blind Dogs’ and ‘New Damage’ add another level of excitement. Particularly considering their strength. Not just in heaviness, but general song writing. The iconic ‘Spoonman’ and ‘Outshined’ are also played with passion and precise accuracy. And the two closing tracks ‘Ty Cobb’ and ‘Slaves and Bulldozers’ set a new standard of closing intensity. What’s great about the album in my opinion is that we get to really hear Kim Thayil’s ten ton heavy guitar ton in it’s full capacity. It gives the entire live album a rich, golden heavy metal tone. Plus, Matt Cameron’s drums are insanely on point.
But there’s also an amazing amount of bittersweet vibes to the entire album. Chris Cornell sounds bad ass to the core. A little more mature that the early years, clearly, but he’s also at the top of his game. The high screams explode through the speakers and he always stays in key and on melody. For two and half hours; twenty-nine songs. It’s just a damn shame that he had to leave us so soon. And so unexpectedly. But ‘Live From The Artists Den’ will serve as a permanent testament to how truly talented the iconic frontman was and is. As well as the rest of the band.
