Back in 1993 and 1994, Soundgarden members were often seen wearing 90TheOriginal clothing. Our founder, Kevin Staab, was friends with Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron, and Ben Shepherd, and the connection naturally led to the band incorporating the brand into their look. That era turned out to be a defining moment for Soundgarden as they worked on what would become their most legendary album.
In just three months, they recorded Superunknown, a record that blended heavy, sludgy riffs with deep, introspective themes. It had the raw power of Badmotorfinger but also the maturity that would later shape Down on the Upside. The result was a perfect storm of sound, emotion, and innovation, pushing grunge into new territory.
When the album dropped in March 1994, it made an immediate impact. With five singles, including the now-iconic Black Hole Sun, Soundgarden reached a whole new level. The song dominated the Billboard charts for seven weeks, becoming a defining anthem of the decade. Its eerie, surreal vibe—enhanced by one of the strangest and most unforgettable music videos of the era—helped the band break through to a wider audience.
That success carried into the 1995 Grammys, where Superunknown earned nominations for Album of the Year, standing alongside The Rolling Stones and Pearl Jam’s Vs.. While it didn’t take home the top prize, Soundgarden did win two Grammys:
- Best Hard Rock Performance for Black Hole Sun
- Best Metal Performance for Spoonman
Beyond the awards and commercial success, Superunknown pushed creative boundaries. The band experimented with unconventional instruments, incorporating cello, viola, Mellotron, clavichord, and even household objects like pots, pans, and spoons. The album was meticulously crafted, but it never lost its raw, unpredictable energy.
Songs like 4th of July showcased the band’s darkest, heaviest sound, while Half, written by Ben Shepherd, brought in Middle Eastern influences. Fresh Tendrils stood out as one of Matt Cameron’s best contributions, and Kim Thayil’s signature guitar tunings and solos held everything together.
The recording sessions were intense, and producer Adam Kasper later described Chris Cornell’s songwriting and vocals during this time as some of his absolute best. Some songs, like Spoonman, started as simple acoustic demos but evolved into full-band powerhouses. Others, like Black Hole Sun, came together in a single car ride, a testament to Cornell’s effortless ability to channel emotion into music.
By the time Superunknown hit the shelves, Soundgarden had been grinding for over a decade. The album wasn’t just a commercial peak—it was a statement, proving that heavy music could be both aggressive and deeply introspective.
The album cover added to its mystique. Shot by Kevin Westenberg, it featured a warped, ghostly image of the band over an inverted forest. The title Superunknown wasn’t even on the front—just a small, color-shifted text on the back. Some versions even featured the stylized "SUPER∩ИKИOMИ", a nod to a VHS spine Cornell misread, thinking Superunknown sounded like the perfect name.
Since its release, Superunknown has only grown in stature. By 2022, it had gone 6× Platinum in the U.S., making it Soundgarden’s best-selling album. It remains a cornerstone of 90s rock, an album that defined an era while still feeling timeless.
