Soundgarden had already released an album when Louder Than Love came out .
On September 5 , 1989 , the band released its debut album , Louder Than Love , which saw it take `` a step toward the metal mainstream , '' according to Steve Huey of Allmusic , describing it as `` a slow , grinding , detuned mountain of Sabbath/Zeppelin riffs and a young Chris Cornell wailing in pain and agony '' .
Soundgarden