Soundgarden’s New Album & Weeknd’s $1M Blackjack Gala

RJ Hamster

14 hours ago

🤘 Backstage Pass

A new Soundgarden album featuring late frontman Chris Cornell could see the light of day

Eight years after the loss of Chris Cornell, Soundgarden may have one more roar left in them. Bassist Ben Shepherd revealed on Instagram that the band has an as-yet-unnamed album in the vault—featuring unreleased vocals from Cornell—and hinted it could eventually see release. He reflected on the anniversary of Cornell’s death with raw emotion, calling the music a surge of “awe, camaraderie… and life force.”

One of the tracks, “The Road Less Traveled,” written by Cornell and drummer Matt Cameron, continues to echo in Shepherd’s head like “a proud spring bird.” He describes hearing Cornell’s voice again as a form of forgiveness, a weight lifting, a glacier falling from the chest.

The album would mark Soundgarden’s first since 2012’s King Animal and would be a powerful postscript to a legacy defined by both ferocity and vulnerability.

With their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction coming in November, guitarist Kim Thayil acknowledged the emotional difficulty of selecting a guest vocalist to honor Cornell’s place: “It’s a high bar… not just technically, but emotionally.” The band’s quiet openness to completing and sharing this final record is, for now, a whisper of possibility—but one that could soon reverberate with full force.

🫡 Artists Doing Good

The Weeknd to Headline $1M Blackjack Gala for Criminal Justice Reform

The Weeknd is going all in for criminal justice reform, headlining Reform Alliance’s star-studded gala on September 13 at Atlantic City’s Ocean Casino Resort. The event doubles as a $1 million blackjack tournament, hosted by Jay-Z and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, where guests pay up to $100,000 for a seat at the tables—and must be vetted by the org’s board.

Backed by high-rollers like Tom Brady, Kim Kardashian, and Meek Mill, last year’s gala raised a staggering $24 million for Reform Alliance, the nonprofit working to overhaul probation and parole laws. With The Weeknd on the mic and $1M on the line, this year’s event is primed to top even that.

From sold-out stadiums to policy reform, Abel Tesfaye continues to prove he’s not just playing the charts—he’s playing for change.

📢 Sound Off

How Much Would You Pay to Own the Original Lyrics to “Hotel California”?

$1,000–$10,000 – A legendary song deserves legendary bragging rights.

$10,000–$25,000 – Rock history like this? That’s an investment, not a splurge.

$25,000–$50,000 – This isn’t paper—it’s sacred scroll status.

$50,000+ – Lock it in a vault, spotlight it like a museum piece, and make the Eagles proud.

🗳️ Cast your vote, and yes—we know you’ve got opinions. Let’s hear ’em.

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🎶 Event Radar

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That’s not all—Halsey, Tash Sultana, Cyndi Lauper, Russ, Volbeat, The Offspring, Train, Thomas Rhett, Old Dominion, and many more are hitting stages across the Northwest and beyond.

Over 5,000 shows. One price. No hidden fees. Just pure summer sound.

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CBGB Festival – 2025 Edition

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🎤 Mic Drop

Rod Stewart will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 American Music Awards, marking his first AMA performance in over 20 years. With more than 50 Hot 100 hits to his name, the 80-year-old legend is set to deliver one of his “timeless classics” live on May 26. Read more here.