Music News

Soundgarden returns with 'Telephantasm'

By Patrick Luce Aug 4, 2010, 13:42 GMT

Chris Cornell and Soundgarden back with career-spanning retrospective album \'Telephantasm.\' © Rui M. Leal / PR Photos

The recently reunited Soundgarden is set to release ‘Telephantasm’ - their first new collection of music since 1996. The album will arrive on September 28th in the US and September 27th internationally. 

On April 16th 2010, Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, Ben Shepherd and Matt Cameron of Soundgarden took to the stage together for the first time in 12 years at the Showbox Theater in Seattle. 

The group played songs from their celebrated and acclaimed catalogue. On August 8th, Soundgarden will hit the stage again, headlining Lollapalooza in Chicago’s Grant Park, preceded by a sold-out show at the Vic Theatre on August 5th.

‘Telephantasm’ is described as a career-spanning retrospective album and includes beloved band hits, deep back catalogue cuts and a never-before-heard unreleased track entitled “Black Rain.”

The new track is from the Badmotorfinger recording sessions. Telephantasm marks the first time ever a collection of its kind has been collated in one place.

Soundgarden helped redefine rock music for a whole generation and had a revolutionary impact on the course of musical history. They were one of the first bands to release music on the venerated Sub Pop label, and the first band to come out of the 90’s Seattle music scene to later sign to a major label.

In addition to the album release, the band has announced that they will be partnering with innovative gaming publisher Activision Publishing, Inc. to release the album on inside 1 million copies of the new videogame Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock.  This release marks the first time a music album will be simultaneously released and bundled with a video game launch. 

All North American Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock launch units will contain the 12-song retrospective disc and will be exclusive to Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock for one week (until October 5).  Additionally, fans will get full access to the band’s new album as downloadable content for Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock day and date with the launch of the game.

The 12-song disc will then be available on October 5th at all music retail outlets and on the band’s web site www.soundgardenworld.com.

The band will also release three expanded versions of ‘Telephantasm’ -  which will include a double-disc with 12 additional tracks, five of which are previously unreleased, and Soundgarden’s first-ever DVD, featuring 20 videos, 13 of which have never been released, a Deluxe 3-LP Vinyl Edition and an individually numbered Super Deluxe Collector’s Edition.

The Super Deluxe Collector’s Edition will be available for a limited time and will include two CDs, the limited edition DVD, three heavy vinyl discs, a collectible poster, lithos, and much more.

These three expanded versions will be available at all music retail outlets and on the band’s website.