Chris Cornell's Historic Grunge Tapes Returned After 25 Years!!

Chris Cornell just got his hands on the mastertapes for his legendary grunge album -- featuring Soundgarden and Pearl Jam members -- and it only took him 25 years to do it.

We're told Cornell and his label, A&M Records, recently settled a bitter, drawn-out lawsuit over the "Temple of the Dog" recordings. Chris and A&M actually got the physical tapes back on Tuesday ... ending the battle with the album's producer, Rick Parashar.

Parashar had kept the 1991 masters -- which are iconic since the band's one and only self-titled record featured Cornell, Eddie Vedder and future Soundgarden and Pearl Jam members.

When Parashar died his family continued to fight A&M for ownership, but with the settlement ... Cornell finally celebrated with a victory photo.

We're told the label's looking to reissue the album for the 25th anniversary.