Soundgarden
USA, 1984–2019
American band formed in Seattle in 1984, among the earliest of the grunge movement. Combined Black Sabbath–style heavy riffs and odd time signatures with punk aesthetics and Chris Cornell's wide vocal range. Their 1994 album Superunknown, featuring 'Black Hole Sun', topped the US charts.
MusicRoots documents 3 artists who influenced Soundgarden and 3 artists Soundgarden influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.
Who influenced Soundgarden?
- Black Sabbath — Guitarist Kim Thayil described Soundgarden's sound as 'Sabbath-influenced punk'; Black Sabbath shaped the band's heavy riffs and drop tunings.
- Led Zeppelin — Soundgarden's early sound was described as 'neo-Zeppelinisms' — the cinematic scope of Led Zeppelin melded with heavier, punk-informed grind.
- The Stooges — Critics placed Soundgarden's debut in a 'Stooges/MC5-meets-Zeppelin/Sabbath' lineage, drawing on the Stooges' proto-punk energy.
Which artists did Soundgarden influence?
- Stone Sour — Corey Taylor called Chris Cornell a direct inspiration as a singer and songwriter, citing both the weight of 'Jesus Christ Pose' and the acoustic side of 'Seasons' — and Cornell's refusal to let genre limit him.
- Daughtry — Chris Daughtry cites Soundgarden as a key inspiration behind his gritty, powerful post-grunge vocals.
- Evanescence — Soundgarden's heavy, dynamic grunge is part of the rock backbone Amy Lee names behind Evanescence.