badmotorfinger got lost amid the blockbuster success of nevermind and ten (all were released around the same time). but the fact is that, though they re all great records, badmotorfinger is much less accessible by comparison. not that it isnt melodic, but it also sounds twisted and gnarled, full of dissonant riffing, impossible time signatures, howling textural solos, and weird, droning tonalities. its surprisingly cerebral and arty music for a band courting mainstream metal audiences, but it attacks with scientific precision. part of that is due to the presence of new bassist ben shepherd, who gives the band its thickest rhythmic foundation yet and, moreover, immediately shoulders the departed hiro yamamotos share of songwriting duties. but its apparent that the whole band has greatly expanded the scope of its ambitions. and badmotorfinger fulfills them, pulling all the different threads of the bands sound together into a mature, confident, well written record. this is heavy, challenging hard rock full of intellectual sensibility and complex band interplay.