Release Date: July 14th 2023. Record Label: Magnetic Eye Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Superuknown Redux: Tracklisting
1.Ufomammut - Let Me Drown
2.High Priest - My Wave
3.Marissa Nadler - Fell on Black Days
4.Somnuri - Mailman
5.Valley of the Sun - Superunknown
4.Spotlights - Black Hole Sun
8.Horseburner - Spoonman
9.Witch Mountain - Limo Wreck
10.Beastwars - The Day I Tried to Live
11.Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows - Kickstand
12.The Age of Truth - Fresh Tendrils
13.Marc Urselli's SteppenDoom - 4th of July
14.Dozer - Half
15.Darkher - Like Suicide
Review:
Magnetic Eye Records' acclaimed "REDUX" series focuses their attention on one of SOUNDGARDEN's iconic albums for their next exciting release. Superunknown is the next classic album to be given the "REDUX" makeover which is surely one of Soundgarden's most important albums with some of their most well known songs appearing on this album. With previous "REDUX" releases, this album is a tribute album featuring Bands and Artists from the Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal scene covering individual songs and offering a different style compared to the original.
Superunknown Redux is vastly different in a lot of ways to the original with bands/artists such as UFOMAMMUT, High Priest, Marissa Nadler, Somnuri, Frayle, Spotlights, Witch Mountain, BEASTWARS, DOZER and The Age Of Truth all making appearance to provide their own interpretation of the classic songs held on this legendary album.
UFOMAMMUT open proceedings with Let Me Drown with a more Spaced Out/Doom/Psychedelic sound compared to the original. This track feels like it could have been recorded from UFOMAMMUT's original recording sessions for EVE. The song is heavy, dense and even drone based for the heavier progressive grooves that appear on the song. This gives you a good indication on what direction the majority of bands use to deliver their own version of the tracks that appear on Superunknown Redux.
There are some songs that stay close to the original version such as High Priest and their wicked cover of My Wave which is instantly recognisable. There's some FUZZIER elements to this track which standout but the vocals capture the wicked rebellious spirit that Chris Cornell delivered on the original track.
I'm not going to do a track-by-track review as there's fifteen tracks within the album. However, everyone puts in a stellar performance and pays respect to the original versions whilst offering something different along the way. Fell On Black Days performed by Marissa Nadler is a genuine highlight as Marissa blends Gothic style imagery for her stunning vocal performance with the grooves being more FUZZED UP and slightly distorted. When the classic guitar solo appears then you're instantly drawn back into the first time in hearing this track. 1995 for me. Sweet memories discovering a great band for the first time can't be beaten and Marissa's cover had that powerful effect on me.
Other highlights include Somnuri covering Mailman, Valley Of The Sun covering Superunknown, Horseburner covering Spoonman, Marc Urselli's SteppenDoom covering 4th of July and Darkher covering Like Suicide. Each band brings their own creative spin to these fantastic tracks with the songs being more Psychedelic and more experimental which is what you want for a Tribute album such as this. You need the perfect balance of hearing something completely different compared to the original version but also one that doesn't stray too far from the original which this tribute album does amazingly well from start to finish.
Spotlights have been given the hardest track to cover with Black Hole Sun. As it's perhaps this album's and Soundgarden's signature track. They deliver the best performance or track on this Tribute album. Spotlights bring their trademark Down-tuned and Atmospheric blend of Sludge/Doom Metal with haunting instances of Droned Out Bliss. The vocals are slightly more Alternative compared to the original but work amazingly well. Spotlights have nailed the "QUIET vs LOUD" dynamic of the original track whilst allowing themselves the opportunity to try different things with the track.
BEASTWARS perform one of my all time favourite Soundgarden tracks with The Day I Tried To Live and it's instantly both Soundgarden and BEASTWARS at the same time. The classic essence of the track is merged with the heavy sludgy spaced out sounds BEASTWARS usually play on their own albums. The vocals are slightly more grizzled and aggressive but still paying huge respect to Chris Cornell and the rest of Soundgarden.
DOZER makes a welcome appearance with one of the catchiest and heaviest performances on the album by covering Half. This version is constantly aggressive with dynamic STONER flair being spliced in the original mix of the track.
If you want to know if this has Soundgarden's seal of approval then I would say check out the guests who appear on Marc Urselli's SteppenDoom cover of 4th Of July. Matt Cameron of Soundgarden appears on this track and it's one of the trippiest covers on the album which is what I would expect with Marc Urselli's SteppenDoom.
Magnetic Eye Records have worked their magic once again with this exciting chapter covering Superunknown that ranks as the best REDUX offering to date. This album offers different styles of music you wouldn't expect when compared against the original. However, you want a TRIBUTE album to try something different and Superunknown Redux works on all levels.
Without doubt one of the best Tribute Albums that Magnetic Eye Records have given the REDUX treatment to since Alice In Chains legendary DIRT album received the same kind of REDUX treatment.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Magnetic Eye Records for the promo.
Superunknown Redux is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Magnetic Eye Records.
