POP REVIEWS : Acid-Era Iconography From Soundgarden

The stage at the Palace for Soundgarden’s concert on Wednesday was festooned with mandala-like designs and Fillmore-lettered logos, and strobe lights greeted the foursome’s clamorous entrance. There’s a dose of irony in Soundgarden’s acid-era iconography, but along with it comes a genuine savor for the concept of mind-blowing as a noble calling.

As it slowly and deliberately surfaced from the underground, Soundgarden--not Nirvana--was the smart bet to become the first big star from the Seattle grunge scene. Last fall’s “Badmotorfinger” album didn’t pull it off for them, but the Palace show was pretty convincing evidence that they can at least hold their position for another shot.

After a somewhat flat first half, during which one of rock’s great young voices was buried in the din, singer Chris Cornell established a focus, asking the crowd, “What kind of audience are you? . . . I’m gonna figure you out.”

Soundgarden’s metal mantras seemed to pick up substance and urgency from there, and Cornell elevated things further when he dropped straight into the crowd from the top of the speakers and took a long ride atop the fans’ upraised hands. Not a new or original move, but it’s still hard to beat as a means of bonding.