According to The Pulse Of Radio, a new SOUNDGARDEN song called "Been Away Too Long" will be shipped to rock radio stations next Wednesday (September 19). The track will be the first official single from "King Animal", the Seattle grunge legends' first all-new album in 16 years. In related news, Hits Daily Double has reported that the band is signing a new worldwide record deal with Universal Music Group, with "King Animal" tentatively coming out through the Universal Republic label on November 13.

SOUNDGARDEN drummer Matt Cameron told The Pulse Of Radio that the band's 2010 reunion after 13 years apart never felt contrived. "You know, it never really felt forced or anything to try to make a big comeback and, you know, make a reunion happen, 'cause it can certainly backfire," he said. "I think we wanted to just approach it very methodically, and I think we've been doing so."

The band recently launched a web site and teaser video for "King Animal", which included an excerpt from a track called "Worse Dreams".

The only new SOUNDGARDEN song to be heard in its entirety so far is "Live To Rise", which was the lead single from the soundtrack album of the blockbuster superhero film "The Avengers" this past summer.

SOUNDGARDEN's last full-length album was 1996's "Down On The Upside". The quartet disbanded the following year. Singer Chris Cornell embarked on a solo career and also joined AUDIOSLAVE, while Cameron became a member of PEARL JAM in 1998.

SOUNDGARDEN has yet to announce live plans for the rest of 2012 and beyond.