Soundgarden Fans Rejoice

by Jade Robledo

Soundgarden fans rejoice!

The first recording from the rock band in 15 years has now been made available as a free download on iTunes.  “Live to Rise” is the first single to be released from the upcoming soundtrack to MARVEL’s the Avengers, which will be titled Avengers Assemble and scheduled to be released on May 1st via Hollywood Records.  Also available as part of the free download of the single is an exclusive clip from the film due May 4th.

The band is known for being a seminal band of the Seattle / “grunge” era of rock in the early 90s.  Their greatest success came with the release of their album Superunknown, which debuted at number 1 on the Billboard charts in 1994.  The release featured “Black Hole Sun” and “Spoonman,” both of which won Grammys for Best Hard Rock Performance and Best Metal Performance in 1995 respectively.

In 1997 Soundgarden broke up due to creative differences.  Lead singer Chris Cornell recorded three solo albums, Euphoria Morning, Carry On, and Scream.  Cornell also recorded three albums with Audioslave, which also featured then-former Rage Against the Machine band members Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk.  Known for the singles “Cochise,” “Like a Stone” and “Show Me How to Live,” Audioslave also cited creative differences when they broke up in 2007.

Guitarist Kim Thayil played on tracks for Steve Fisk and Dave Grohl’s side-project Probot.  Ben Shepherd played bass on releases by Tony Iommi and Mark Lanegan.

Matt Cameron continued to drum in his side-project Wellwater Conspiracy that he began in 1993, a project that included a 1997 release featuring lead vocals by Ben Shepherd.  He also contributed drums on “For Martha” on the Smashing Pumpkins’ 1998 album Adore before accepting the invitation from Pearl Jam to fill in for Jack Irons on their US tour.  He has since joined the band as an official member.

In 2010 the band announced via Twitter that they were reuniting for live shows.  In 2011 Cornell confirmed that they would be heading into the studio to record a new album.  “Live to Rise” marks the first release since the reformation.

Soundgarden will hit the road in late May to join the European summer festival circuit including Donington’s Download Festival in June. Additional tour dates and more information can be found on Soundgarden’s web site.

Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Hemsworth launch the Avengers in Hollywood

by Cindy Robinson

Actors Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Hemsworth launched MARVEL’s the Avengers in Hollywood Wednesday night. This May, Marvel Studios brings to life the super hero team up of a lifetime featuring iconic Marvel super heroes with Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury.

When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins to assemble the ultimate super hero team.

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The star-studded premiere brought out the cast of the Avengers along with Clark Gregg and Jennifer Grey, director Joss Whedon, producer Kevin Feige, Jon Favreau, Dancing With the Stars cast members Karina Smirnoff and Chelsie Hightower, LOST and Lord of the Rings star Dominic Monaghan, Alexander Skarsgård, Harry Dean Stanton, Aisha Tyler, Seth Green,  Chris Cornell and Soundgarden who wrote the original song for the movie “Live to Rise”.

Directed by Joss Whedon, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963. Look for this blockbuster by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures to break box office records on May 4th.

For more information on the Avengers please visit Marvel’s the Avengers to view trailers, grab exclusive downloads and buy your movie tickets.