When Soundgarden emerged from the wings in a dazzle of light, I had the lens cap off, the flash off, and the appropriate settings engaged. That in itself was amazing. How lively and primed—though yes, aged—original members Matt Cameron, Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, and Ben Shepherd looked from this close. And their sound? Ditto.

The band was as solid and on as it is on Live on I-5, this spring’s primer from its 1996 tour. Actually, the 2011 Soundgarden was better, tighter, as if the lengthy break only made the guys hungry for another stage. Continue reading Soundgarden at the Gorge: Extremely Loud, Incredibly Close, and Scarily Good