Audioslave
Audioslave was an American rock supergroup formed in Glendale, California, in 2001. The four-piece band consisted of Soundgarden's lead singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell with Rage Against the Machine members Tom Morello (lead guitar), Tim Commerford (bass/backing vocals), and Brad Wilk (drums). Critics first described Audioslave as a combination of Soundgarden and Rage Against the Machine, but by the band's second album, Out of Exile, it was noted that they had established a separate identity.[1] Their unique sound was created by blending 1970s hard rock and 1990s alternative rock, with musical influences that included 1960s funk, soul and R&B. As with Rage Against the Machine, the band prided themselves on the fact that all sounds on their albums were produced using only guitars, bass, drums, and vocals, with emphasis on Cornell's wide vocal range and Morello's unconventional guitar solos.
This article is about the band. For their eponymous debut album, see Audioslave (album).
In their six years together, Audioslave released three albums, received three Grammy nominations, sold more than eight million records worldwide[2][3] and became the first American rock band to perform an open-air concert in Cuba. They disbanded in February 2007 after Cornell issued a statement announcing that he was leaving the band. Later that year, Cornell and Morello released solo albums, and Morello, Commerford, and Wilk reunited with Zack de la Rocha for the Rage Against the Machine Reunion Tour.[4]
Audioslave reunited to perform at Prophets of Rage's Anti-Inaugural Ball,[5] which took place on January 20, 2017. Cornell's death later that year precluded any chance of further reunions.
History[edit]
Formation (2000–2001)[edit]
On October 18, 2000, Rage Against the Machine broke up after the vocalist, Zack de la Rocha, announced he was leaving, citing a breakdown in the band's "decision-making process".[6] The remaining members—Tim Commerford, Tom Morello and Brad Wilk— announced plans to search for a new vocalist.[7]
Several vocalists jammed with them, including B-Real of Cypress Hill, but the band did not want another rapper or anybody who sounded like de la Rocha.[8] Layne Staley of Alice in Chains was long rumored to have auditioned,[9] but Morello denied this on Twitter in 2015.[10] Music producer and friend Rick Rubin suggested that they play with Chris Cornell of Soundgarden, which had broken up in 1997.[11] Rubin also persuaded Morello, Wilk and Commerford to go into group therapy with performance coach Phil Towle after the breakup.[11] Rubin was confident that, with the right new voice, Rage Against the Machine had the potential to become a better band, as the Yardbirds had evolved into Led Zeppelin.[12] Commerford later credited Rubin for being the catalyst that brought Audioslave together. He called him "the angel at the crossroads" because "if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here today".[11]
The chemistry with Cornell was immediately apparent. Morello said: "He stepped to the microphone and sang the song and I couldn't believe it. It didn't just sound good. It didn't sound great. It sounded transcendent. And...when there is an irreplaceable chemistry from the first moment, you can't deny it."[8] The group wrote 21 songs during 19 days of rehearsal,[11] and began working in the studio in late May 2001 with Rubin as producer, while sorting out the label and management issues.[13]
Musical style and influences[edit]
Audioslave's musical style has generally been regarded as hard rock,[97] alternative metal,[98] post-grunge,[99][100][101] and alternative rock.[102] By combining 1970s style hard rock riffing with alternative rock, Audioslave created a distinctive sound.[103] This mix was driven by Cornell's wide vocal range,[104] Morello's innovative guitar solos and the robust rhythm section of Wilk and Commerford.[105] Morello, although stating he "never felt musically limited" in Rage Against the Machine, did say that he had "a lot more scope to explore with Audioslave" and a "wider musical territory".[106] This meant that the instrumentalists had the opportunity to write slow and melodic songs, something they had not done before.
As opposed to de la Rocha's lyrics, Cornell's were mostly apolitical; Morello referred to them as "haunted, existential poetry".[107] They were characterised by his cryptic approach, often dealing with themes of existentialism,[103] love, hedonism,[108] spirituality and Christianity.[107] Audioslave's first two albums drew influences from 1970s hard rock and heavy metal such as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath and from the members' previous bands (the grunge sound of Soundgarden and the funk metal sound of Rage Against the Machine).[109] For Revelations, which was influenced by 1960s and 1970s funk, soul and R&B music, Morello used vintage guitars and amplifiers and Cornell adopted his "seventies funk and R&B-flavor vocals".[110] He also cited Sly & the Family Stone, James Brown and Funkadelic as influences on the funk overtones on the album.[111]
Just as Rage Against the Machine did, Audioslave also included the statement "All sounds made by guitar, bass, drums and vocals" in their albums' booklets as Morello's guitar work often caused listeners to believe that the band used samples, synthesiser effects or different turntable techniques to produce certain sounds.[112]
Songwriting and recording process[edit]
All of Audioslave's lyrics were written by Cornell, while all four members—as a band—were credited with writing the music. Their songwriting process was described by Wilk as "more collaborative" and "satisfying" than Rage Against the Machine's, which was "a battle creatively".[113] Cornell also felt the same way; he saw Soundgarden's songwriting method inferior to Audioslave's.[113] Rick Rubin, producer of the band's first two albums, was also lauded as "a great collaborative partner" and was likened to "the fifth Beatle" by Tom Morello.[114] The time spent on songwriting by the band was always short. They wrote 21 songs in 19 days for the first album and exceeded that rate for the second album by having a song or sometimes two written every day.[115] This method was adopted for the third album as well.[116]
Cornell's battle with drug addiction and alcoholism was a defining factor in the writing and recording process of the debut album. He said he was "never able to write effectively" while drinking,[117] and attended rehab after recording Audioslave. Although Morello stated that Revelations was "the first record [Cornell] didn't smoke, drink or take drugs through the recording," he later clarified his statement by saying: "Chris was stone sober during the making of our Out of Exile album. Chris was also sober during the making of Revelations and prior to recording he gave up smoking as well."[118]
Studio albums