Soundgarden To Reunite

Those of you who never got over grunge's demise will have the chance to hear Chris Cornell scream "Spoooooooonmaaaaaaaan!" once again at some point in the near future because Soundgarden have reunited.

Cornell announced via Facebook and Twitter at midnight on Jan. 1 that the band would reunite this year.

"The 12 year break is over & school is back in session. Knights of the Soundtable ride again!" he wrote, before providing a link to Soundgarden's redesigned website.

No other information's been revealed yet, but Billboard.com reports Soundgarden are considering playing "several major U.S. and international festivals," but nothing's been confirmed.

Cornell, guitarist Kim Thayil, bassist Ben Shepherd and drummer Matt Cameron split in 1997 following the release of 1996's Down On The Upside. They haven't played live together as Soundgarden since, but briefly reunited on Oct. 6, 2009 to play Temple Of The Dog's "Hunger Strike" with Pearl Jam. Cameron is currently a member of Pearl Jam and will tour with them this coming summer.

Cornell, Thayil and bassist Hiro Yamamoto formed Soundgarden in 1984. Cornell was then the drummer in addition to being the singer. Cameron joined the band in 1986 and replaced him behind the kit, while Shepherd came aboard in 1990.

Soundgarden released five studio albums — 1988's Ultramega OK, 1989's Louder Than Love, 1991's Badmotorfinger, 1994's Superunknown and 1996's Down On The Upside — before breaking up. Badmotorfinger saw them break out along with other Seattle grunge bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice In Chains.

Cornell has released three solo albums since Soundgarden split. His most recent disc is 2009's disastrous Scream, which combined rock with electronica and pop and was produced by Timbaland. Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor said Cornell embarrassed himself with the album.