Eight years after the tragic loss of Chris Cornell, Soundgarden bassist Ben Shepherd has offered fans a poignant update—and a glimmer of hope. In an emotional tribute posted on May 17, Shepherd revealed that an unreleased Soundgarden track, “The Road Less Traveled,” co-written by Cornell and drummer Matt Cameron, still lingers in the vaults of the iconic grunge band.
The track is part of a yet-to-be-named album, a project long in limbo due to legal disputes between Cornell’s estate and the surviving members. With the case resolved in 2023, Shepherd’s message suggests that a long-awaited release may finally be nearing.
Reflecting on Cornell’s unmistakable voice, Shepherd wrote, “Just hearing Chris’ voice helps… he forgave me like he always did.” He described the process of revisiting their music as both awe-inspiring and healing.
This tease comes just months before Soundgarden’s upcoming induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this November. Whether they’ll perform remains unconfirmed, but fans are cautiously optimistic that 2025 could be the year Cornell’s final songs finally see the light.
—
Photo Credit: Brian Patterson Photos / Shutterstock.com