Chris Cornell leaves Audioslave

[everlast1986]

In a statement to the press announcing the imminent release of his sophomore solo album, Carry On, on Thursday (February 15) Chris Cornell confirmed months of rumors by announcing that he has left Audioslave.

"Due to irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences, I am permanently leaving the band Audioslave," he said in a statement. "I wish the other three members" — guitarist Tom Morello, bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk — "nothing but the best in all of their future endeavors."

That was the extent of Cornell's statement regarding his departure. But this afternoon, when MTV News spoke with Cornell about his decision to leave Audioslave, he said he had been thinking about leaving since the band finished recording its last effort, Revelations.

"It was clear to all of us we needed some time apart, and what that produces is anybody's guess," he said. "In my case, it produced a very prolific writing period, and getting back into writing songs on my own, liking what that means — which is sort of a freedom and time to just experiment with music to a degree I kind of like more — and making records that have everything I like about music in them. Audioslave was a very fresh collaboration because it was very much like a young band, where you all write together in a room. But my experience, in terms of songwriting and record-creating, is not like a 19-year-old guy in a rock band. For me to be satisfied, I think I need to be able to be on my own, in the long run."

The announcement comes just two weeks after Rage Against the Machine revealed they would be reuniting for this year's Coachella festival in Indio, California, on April 29, ending seven years of dormancy (see "Rage Against The Machine To Reunite For Coachella Festival"). It also raises speculation as to what the future holds for Rage — and whether a Soundgarden reunion could be in the works.

Rumors of Cornell's departure began last fall, when Audioslave elected not to tour behind last year's Revelations LP.

Earlier this month, Morello told MTV News that, for now, the Rage reunion would be a one-off, adding that his principal focus at the moment is his solo project, the Nightwatchman (see "Nightwatchman, Rage Reunion Have Morello Fired Up For Political Fights").

Morello said at the time that he wasn't sure what would become of Audioslave, saying that "Audioslave is currently not touring on the record" because "Chris [Cornell] did not want to tour. To me, it seems that the world needs songs of rebellion and revolution right now."

Just weeks before Rage were named one of Coachella's headlining acts, Morello demurred when asked by MTV News whether Audioslave was over, saying "[people] have been telling me Audioslave was breaking up for some time now. No new news there." He would not officially describe the band's status.

Cornell's album, which was helmed by producer Steve Lillywhite (U2, Rolling Stones) and is the follow-up to 1999's Euphoria Morning, will be in stores May 1. The LP will contain 14 tracks, including "Safe and Sound," "Scar on the Sky" and a slow-grind cover of Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean."

In July, Cornell denied Audioslave-split rumors, months before the band issued Revelations (see "Chris Cornell Working On Solo LP — But Dismisses Rumors Of Audioslave Split").

"We hear rumors that Audioslave is breaking up all the time," he said. "Even in the beginning, when we were having business problems and we weren't necessarily going to be a band, we were still going to put out a record. We made a record and we loved it. I think that's where it starts — the idea that we sort of started on shaky ground. You would hope that by now, putting out our third record, people wouldn't be thinking that way or be worried about it. But it comes up. I always just ignore it."

Of course, Cornell's since had a serious change of heart. "It hadn't really crossed my mind until a few days ago that I really have no intention of being in this band," he said. "It's been asked before, but it wasn't ever clear in my mind before, and I didn't really see any reason why we couldn't be a band at some point. But now, my feelings are what they are, and I just wanted to get things out on the table and be clear about it."

Cornell said the split was amicable and that, as far as he's concerned, Audioslave is finished, "Unless they want to go find another singer and go make other Audioslave records — then maybe they can have two bands, with a different singer for Rage and a different singer for Audioslave, and they could go on tour and open for each other.

"I certainly don't have any animosity toward them, and I don't think anyone hates me," he continued. "And to be honest, I think those guys getting back and doing some Rage shows is great. I think one of the main reasons why I ever wanted a band like Audioslave was because of seeing Rage in 1996, and I thought they were one of the best live bands I had ever seen. That's why I wanted to do it. The thought of those guys playing shows and maybe becoming a band again I think is a great thing. There were times in Audioslave where I wondered whether those guys missed the visceral nature of the audience response that Rage would get. We had a different experience and a different crowd, but it was so specific to Rage, that kind of world that they were in, that I often wondered if they missed it."

Cornell said that Audioslave will issue a greatest-hits collection with some unreleased material at some point, "because whoever it is we owe it to will say, 'OK, we're going to put that out now,' because that's what labels do." He said he wasn't sure which label the best-of was owed to; the band released records through a partnership between Epic and Interscope.

And when asked about Soundgarden possibly reuniting, Cornell said it was doubtful. "I haven't received any phone calls from anyone in Soundgarden about a reunion since we broke up, nor have I called anyone," he said. "We were happy with how it ended. There was no unfinished business. Soundgarden wasn't a band where we broke up and everyone was like, 'I'm never f---ing talking to you again.' It wasn't like that. We've all talked to each other many times since then. Its something we don't feel we need to do."

http://www.mtv.com/#/news/articles/1552582/20070215/audioslave.jhtml

[MANBEARPIG.]

Audioslave sucks anyway!

[Trauma-san]

Chris Cornell is the whole fucking show.  He has grown way bigger than Audioslave as a band was, basically they existed as a vehicle for his songs and his incredible voice (unrivaled in rock music).  Plus this gets Rage back together, although I basically can't stand the band many people love them so everything's good in the end.  Chris is certainly capable of putting out a solo album just as good as anything he ever did with soundgarden or audioslave, he was 90% of each band (no disrespect intended to Tom Morello). 

[Luke]

i was never a big rage fan but its cool they're back together...chris cornell has an amazing voice for rock music...and whether he's in a band or going solo he's still going to make great music...though a soundgarden reunion would probably give me an orgasm

[Sikotic™]

Oh well, they had a few great songs, but the majority of their albums were never favorites of mine. He wasn't getting along with the band members for a long time anyways, right?

[Tanjential]

Trauma, i agree with the props you give cornell but the Rage dudes were a comparable piece of the audioslave puzzle, did you hear their cover of the white stripe's "seven nation army" a truly electrifying performance, my favorite audioslave piece ever.

soundgarden, cornell's solo shit, and rage's shit is all stellar though just for the record.

-T

[Narrator]

If it means Rage is getting back together, I'm fine with that.  I respected Audioslave but was never a really big fan of them.  Although it is kinda ironic that all them just can't seem to keep their lead singer...first they lose Zach De La Rocha, now they lose Chris Cornell, and now they're back with Zach again.

[Bramsterdam (see ya)]

Good luck goes out to Chris with his future plans. If RATM got back together for longer than just Coachella that'd be fuckin awesome, imagine we get a new Rage album!! 

[Tanjential]

I was listening to 'wake up' by rage the other day, they have such a hip hop aesthetic it's ridiculous.

-T

[MontrealCity's Most]

If it means Rage is getting back together, I'm fine with that.  I respected Audioslave but was never a really big fan of them.  Although it is kinda ironic that all them just can't seem to keep their lead singer...first they lose Zach De La Rocha, now they lose Chris Cornell, and now they're back with Zach again.

Reminds me of Van Halen

Roth, HAgar, Roth, HAgar, Etreme guy, Roth

As far as audioslave theyve been together for what 3 years , that was short

[Trauma-san]

Trauma, i agree with the props you give cornell but the Rage dudes were a comparable piece of the audioslave puzzle,

I'm just saying you don't listen to anything that Chris Cornell is on for anything other than Chris Cornell.  His presence dominates any song he has anything to do with so ultimately it doesn't matter who's holding the guitars.  Zach needs a good band, though, so it'd be better to reunite Rage because whenever Cornell decides to make music, it's going to be as good as anything Audioslave did no matter who's playing with him.  That's just my personal opinion. 

[Tanjential]

Trauma, i agree with the props you give cornell but the Rage dudes were a comparable piece of the audioslave puzzle,

I'm just saying you don't listen to anything that Chris Cornell is on for anything other than Chris Cornell.  His presence dominates any song he has anything to do with so ultimately it doesn't matter who's holding the guitars.  Zach needs a good band, though, so it'd be better to reunite Rage because whenever Cornell decides to make music, it's going to be as good as anything Audioslave did no matter who's playing with him.  That's just my personal opinion. 

I see what you're saying for sure, cornell= quality.

But I still think the band in audioslave had a distinctive presence with zach and with cornell.
and while zach needs a good band, I think he would sound dope over some hip hop beats.

-T

[jeromechickenbone]

Well the writing was on the wall for a little while now.  I thought the Audioslave albums got progressively worse.  I'm actually kinda glad this happened.  Cornell is amazing and I'll always check for him.  Lets just hope that Rage puts out some new material. 

[AlerG]

It's sad to hear they broke up because i was a fan. But you could see this coming, I mean how are you gonna not tour for a new album, that's half the way rock bands promote a new release. Their lackluster sales on "Revelations" proves the lack of interest on making that new album a success like the previous two. And it's too bad, because it was a solid album,

chill

[Suffice]

Trauma, i agree with the props you give cornell but the Rage dudes were a comparable piece of the audioslave puzzle, did you hear their cover of the white stripe's "seven nation army" a truly electrifying performance, my favorite audioslave piece ever.

soundgarden, cornell's solo shit, and rage's shit is all stellar though just for the record.

-T

Not to diss or anything, but what do you mean by "Rage dudes were a comparable piece of the audioslave puzzle"?