Soundgarden Kick Off Reunion Tour
Band start first tour for nearly 15 years
Hollywood Reporter reports that the grunge pioneers started their tour in Toronto on Saturday night.
"Welcome to the first show of the first tour in 13, 14 years," frontman Chris Cornell told the crowd at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, according to the Toronto Sun.
The group performed 21 songs over two hours, with Cornell shooting video of the audience during the show.
Critics were unanimously positive in their reponses to the show, with The Toronto Globe and Mail's Brad Wheeler saying "Soundgarden is back upright, strong enough to shine on, for a little while at least," he wrote.
He also praised all of the members of the group, noting their strengths.
"Long-haired and broodingly messianic at age 46, Cornell was up to vocal-shredding snuff on 'Spoonman' and 'Jesus Christ Pose,'" he wrote. "Guitarist Kim Thayil had his moments, leaving his flashiest work for a bluesy jam on Slaves & Bulldozers, the final of a three encore songs.
"Matt Cameron, who after Soundgarden disbanded picked up a job keeping time for fellow Seattle-scene pioneers Pearl Jam, is one for tricky rhythms. Time signatures on the thrashing blitz (or blitzing thrash?) of 'Gun' and others switched on the fly. Bassist Ben Shepherd, stage right, rumbled like Pompeii."
The band are yet to announce any UK dates as part of their tour.