When I first heard the band's debut, Ultramega OK, it sounded like the kind of jacked-up garage rock you'd expect from Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath. But it also hinted at something more advanced than just a band with a heavy metal edge.
The acoustic guitar that opens the song is actually pretty cool, but it quickly fades out in favor of the band's ear-crushing frenzy. It's not as polished or heavy as they would get in a few years, but it's still an impressive start that really nails that pissed-at-the-world attitude the band had always been known for.
It's also one of their most memorable songs, with Chris Cornell's singing taking center stage. He doesn't do any fancy rapping or anything, just sings this evocative stream-of-consciousness over a two-note riff.
But it's not just a great single; the album itself is full of incredible music. There's a lot of weirdness and disorientation on it, but it's also packed with a slew of standout tracks.
"Hands All Over" was a pretty good rock anthem, even if it didn't have much of a chorus. But what makes it great is the way Chris Cornell elevates it by holding a single note for almost eight seconds.
That's an absolutely insane scream and one of the best that he recorded during his time in Soundgarden. He was an amazing singer, but he was also one of the best songwriters in music history. It's no wonder that he went on to have a successful solo career and later found success in Audioslave.
