When a band loses it’s definitive force, whether it’s a front man or not, to the reaper, there’s few things that it can do. However, one of the golden gems that comes from a posthumous band existence can be excellent, previously unreleased live material. And the upcoming Soundgarden ‘Live From the Artists Den’ is destined to become one of the great live documents, posthumous front man or not. Soundgarden were always excellent live, and when they reunited and released the monstrous ‘King Animal’ in 2012, it was a major statement that they were back. On the tour they recorded the three sold out nights at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles. Located at Wilshire and Western. The set list is unreal in it’s length. And the bands passion is captured throughout the entire show.
I’m always going to welcome new live Soundgarden material. The ‘Live on I-5’ release from 2011 was an amazing treat. The shows from the ‘Down on the Upside’ tour proved to ask the question, ‘why did this band ever break up?’ And the ‘Live At the Paramount’ from the ‘Badmotorfinger’ tour is a gargantuan show. It’s one of the great live documents of all time. So naturally we should all be stoked about the new ‘Live from the Artists Den.’
The set list is inanely long. Almost a thirty song show, 28 to be precise. And the tracks aren’t two minute punk songs. For the most part, they’re four plus minute rockers. It is an insane concert, so huge that’s its garnered theatrical releases in New York, Los Angeles and Seattle. The show promises to be a complete, immersive experience. But what I’m personally excited about is the nearly two and half hour, double disc live CD that’s going to accompany the theatrical releases. Plus there’s the blu-ray and DVD videos of the show. And some crazy ass mega-box set versions of the release. Complete with insane vinyl options.
But what I’m really looking forward to is hearing live, heavier versions of tracks from the ‘King Animal’ album. ‘Been Away Too Long,’ ‘Blood on the Valley Floor,’ ‘Worse Dreams,’ ‘By Crooked Steps’ and ‘Non-State Actor’ are all included in the set list. And then some. Plus the classics that are being advertised, no matter how short the advertisement is, sound sick as hell. The short trailer that displays ‘Jesus Christ Pose’ portrays the shows as some of the greatest in heavy music. The crowd sounds rabid and the band sounds tight and aggressive. It looks like Soundgarden’s ‘Live from the Artists Den’ is destined to be a juggernaut live document. And I can’t wait to review the full show.
