Ben Shepherd reveals the eerie premonition he had before Chris Cornell’s final tour — and why Soundgarden’s last songs still ‘floor’ him

Soundgarden bassist Ben Shepherd has opened up about the haunting premonition he felt before what would become the band’s final tour with Chris Cornell, as well as the emotional and physical challenge of finishing the group’s unreleased material featuring the late frontman.

In a recent interview with Bass Magazine, Shepherd recalled feeling a deep sense of dread before the 2017 tour that tragically ended with Cornell’s death in May of that year. At the time, Soundgarden had just returned to the studio, working on a follow-up to their 2012 comeback record, King Animal — an album that marked their first in sixteen years.

“The night before we left for the tour, I just knew something bad was going to happen,” Shepherd admitted. “Something came over me, and I felt like I couldn’t do it. I went around and said goodbye to my family. I could feel it.”

Shepherd explained that the band had fallen into an old habit — interrupting their creative process in the studio to hit the road.

“We were making the same mistake we always did, leaving our record halfway finished to go play shows,” he said.

Despite his unease, Shepherd said he always envisioned a future where he and his bandmates would grow old together, sharing laughs and stories from their decades-long career.

“I always thought we’d be weird old men sitting in Chris’s cabin in the woods, laughing about everything. He wanted to meet my son, Noah, but he never got to,” he reflected.

Following Cornell’s death, Soundgarden’s unfinished album became the focus of a lengthy legal dispute between the surviving members and Cornell’s estate. The case was finally resolved out of court in 2023, clearing the path for the release of what will likely be the band’s final record. According to Shepherd, the project includes production work from Terry Date, who also worked on Louder Than Love (1989) and Badmotorfinger (1991).

Shepherd shared that revisiting those final recordings was both inspiring and draining.

“The first song we did together didn’t sound powerful at first, but when we started playing it, it hit me — ‘Holy hell!’” he said. “I actually blistered my hands playing those parts. That’s just how Chris and Kim [Thayil] were — they’d write these wild riffs that push you to your limit.”

He added that the unfinished material still surprises him with its intensity:

“These songs have been flooring me with how powerful they are. It’s like he’s still here, pushing us to go harder.”

The emotional journey of finishing Soundgarden’s final record raises difficult questions for the band.

“Once this record is done, what happens next? Without Chris, we’re not Soundgarden,” Shepherd said. “Maybe selfishly, we’ll just keep working on it to hold on to that moment in time.”

The band’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction on November 8 marks a bittersweet celebration of their four-decade legacy. Cornell will be honored by an all-star lineup, including Brandi Carlile, Taylor Momsen, Jerry Cantrell, and Nancy Wilson, who will pay tribute to his enduring impact on music.

FAQs

1. What was Soundgarden working on before Chris Cornell’s death?

They were recording a new album — the follow-up to King Animal — which remains unfinished but is expected to be released soon.

2. Who is producing the upcoming Soundgarden album?

The band is collaborating with Terry Date, who previously worked on Badmotorfinger and Louder Than Love.

3. When will the final Soundgarden album be released?

While an exact date hasn’t been confirmed, drummer Matt Cameron indicated that it’s nearing completion and will be released soon.

4. How will Soundgarden honor Chris Cornell?

The band and several guest artists will pay tribute during their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.