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MATT CAMERON, LZZY HALE And JOE HOTTINGER Reimagine SOUNDGARDEN’s ‘Birth Ritual’ For KING ULTRAMEGA Tribute Project
KING ULTRAMEGA, an all-star tribute project celebrating the music of the late Chris Cornell, has released a new version of Soundgarden's "Birth Ritual". The track reimagines the deep cut originally featured on the "Singles" film soundtrack, timed to coincide with what would have been Cornell's 58th birthday and the 30th anniversary of the film's release, reinforcing the project's ongoing mission to honour Cornell's full creative legacy across his various bands and solo work.
The new recording features Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron, who co-wrote and performed on the original version and appeared performing it in the "Singles" film, alongside producer and bassist Mark Menghi and Halestorm's Lzzy Hale on vocals and Joe Hottinger on guitar. It marks the second time a Soundgarden member has contributed to KING ULTRAMEGA, following Kim Thayil's earlier appearance on "The Day I Tried to Live", and the artwork nods to Citizen Dick, the fictional band from "Singles".
In short
- KING ULTRAMEGA releases reimagined Soundgarden song "Birth Ritual"
- Features Matt Cameron plus Halestorm's Lzzy Hale and Joe Hottinger
- Timed to Chris Cornell's birthday and "Singles" film's 30th anniversary
Explained simply
Chris Cornell was the singer and songwriter behind several influential American rock bands, including Soundgarden, and also released music as a solo artist. Soundgarden helped bring Seattle’s grunge scene to a wider audience in the 1990s. “Birth Ritual” appeared on the soundtrack to Singles, a 1992 film set in Seattle.
KING ULTRAMEGA is a tribute project bringing together musicians to perform songs connected with Cornell’s career. Matt Cameron was Soundgarden’s drummer and co-wrote the original “Birth Ritual”; the new version also features producer and bassist Mark Menghi, Halestorm singer Lzzy Hale and guitarist Joe Hottinger. Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil has also taken part in the project.
The project draws attention to Cornell’s work across different bands and his solo career. Singles also featured the fictional band Citizen Dick, a detail reflected in the tribute recording’s artwork.
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