Soundgarden’s “Black Rain” Video: Will the Band Save Seattle?

Will our fair, foggy city be destroyed by a gigantic, terrifying alien invader? Will our citizens ever again play Rock Band in peace? Are Chris Cornell, Matt Cameron, Kim Thayil, and Ben Shepherd actually the masterminds behind the diabolical creature’s attack? (Is Soundgarden‘s return a symbolic cry of “Death to false metal!”?) The band’s new “Black Rain” video, directed with sly ’70s-animation awareness by Brendon Small, may not answer all of these questions, but it is fun to watch. And hear.

Spinner has the story of the video concept’s germination, apparently courtesy of guitarist Thayil. It also reminds us that Soundgarden is, as Cornell has said recently, moving toward making new music and playing more gigs. Until then, there’s the hits set (featuring the previously unreleased “Black Rain”) Telephantasm releasing September 28.