badmotorfinger got lost amid the blockbuster success of nevermind and ten (all were released around the same time). but the fact is that, though they're all great records, badmotorfinger is much less accessible by comparison. not that it isn't melodic, but it also sounds twisted and gnarled, full of dissonant riffing, impossible time signatures, howling textural solos, and weird, droning tonalities. it's surprisingly cerebral and arty music for a band courting mainstream metal audiences, but it attacks with scientific precision. part of that is due to the presence of new bassist ben shepherd, who gives the band its thickest rhythmic foundation yet — and, moreover, immediately shoulders the departed hiro yamamoto's share of songwriting duties. but it's apparent that the whole band has greatly expanded the scope of its ambitions. and badmotorfinger fulfills them, pulling all the different threads of the band's sound together into a mature, confident, well-written record. this is heavy, challenging hard rock full of intellectual sensibility and complex band interplay. and with their next album, soundgarden would learn how to make it fully accessible to mainstream audiences as well.

Soundgarden

Badmotorfinger

Album artwork for Badmotorfinger by Soundgarden
CD

£6.99

Released 13/06/2007Catalogue Number

3953742

Learn more
Soundgarden

Badmotorfinger

Album artwork for Badmotorfinger by Soundgarden
CD

£6.99

Released 13/06/2007Catalogue Number

3953742

Learn more

badmotorfinger got lost amid the blockbuster success of nevermind and ten (all were released around the same time). but the fact is that, though they're all great records, badmotorfinger is much less accessible by comparison. not that it isn't melodic, but it also sounds twisted and gnarled, full of dissonant riffing, impossible time signatures, howling textural solos, and weird, droning tonalities. it's surprisingly cerebral and arty music for a band courting mainstream metal audiences, but it attacks with scientific precision. part of that is due to the presence of new bassist ben shepherd, who gives the band its thickest rhythmic foundation yet — and, moreover, immediately shoulders the departed hiro yamamoto's share of songwriting duties. but it's apparent that the whole band has greatly expanded the scope of its ambitions. and badmotorfinger fulfills them, pulling all the different threads of the band's sound together into a mature, confident, well-written record. this is heavy, challenging hard rock full of intellectual sensibility and complex band interplay. and with their next album, soundgarden would learn how to make it fully accessible to mainstream audiences as well.