Chris Cornell quits Audioslave amid conflicts
By Dean Goodman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Audioslave singer Chris Cornell has quit the short-lived "supergroup," citing "irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences," he said on Thursday.

Cornell, 42, who rose to fame with defunct Seattle rock group Soundgarden, will reignite his solo career with the May 1 release of "Carry On," his second solo album.

"Due to irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences, I am permanently leaving the band Audioslave. I wish the other three members nothing but the best in all of their future endeavors," the part-time Paris restaurateur said in a statement.

The Audioslave split was not unexpected. His colleagues, guitarist Tom Morello, bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk, have reunited with singer Zack de la Rocha to resurrect their former band Rage Against the Machine, which will play its first show in seven years at California's Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 29. Rage's plans beyond this show are unknown.

Audioslave formed in 2001, a year after Rage broke up, and recorded three studio albums. In May 2005, it became the first American band to play an outdoor show in Cuba.

Its most recent album, "Revelations," has sold a disappointing 409,000 copies in the United States since its September 2006 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Its self-titled 2002 debut sold 3.1 million copies, and the 2005 follow-up "Out of Exile" 1.1 million.

Amid rumors last August that Audioslave had broken up, Cornell told Reuters that the band was like a sociology experiment because of the various members' complex relationships with each other. He indicated that a solo existence could be a less stressful option.

"I think the biggest problem with people surviving in a band and getting along and appreciating each other is just the fact that for the most part musicians aren't the kind of people who concentrate or worry about what the other guy thinks," he said.

"Carry On," produced by Steve Lillywhite (U2, Rolling Stones), marks Cornell's first solo release since 1999's "Euphoria Morning," which came out two years after Soundgarden broke up.

The Interscope Records release will include "You Know My Name," Cornell's main title song for the latest James Bond film "Casino Royale," as well as a cover of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." Among the brand new tunes are "No Such Thing" and "Poison Eye," both described in the statement as having a "harder edge," and the "redemptive" song "Your Soul Today."

The statement also described Cornell as "acrimonious," which a publicist said was the intended term.

Well if Carry On is as good as Euphoria morning, then its a good career move.

I'm into it. It'll be cool, I'm sure.

Yep. And if he does join another band, hopefully it is something that rocks harder than Audioslave.

I am upset by this news, I really liked Audioslave.

I was wondering if the whole Rage reunion for next month had something to do with this.

On a side note. I hope Rage gets back together.

Meh. It was cool while it lasted.

Sucks. I loved all three of their albums. They were fantastic live too.

time for SOUNDGARDEN!!!, again.

I think they got better with each album, but you know what? I'd still rather have Rage reunite and put out some new material.

I wouldn't mind seeing RATM and Soundgarden both reunite.

Indeed, Every time I heard an Audioslave song with a decent riff, I would imagine how much better this would sound with Zach on vocals. I think Cornell is a great singer and all but it never really worked IMO.

hey i'm just glad that they lasted this long

Laaaaame...

Well, we did get three great albums (one classic imo).

Hey if Rage gets back together than I'm all for it.

I don't mind audioslave breaking up if it brings back soundgarden and RATM.

It's too bad, but it was great while it lasted.

agreed, I really only like the first audioslave effort anyhow.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Musi....ap/index.html

It also says that Ian Astbury is leaving 'Riders on the Storm' to reform 'The Cult'.

Please please please let this mean that RATM will be making their return!

Too bad. I really liked those three Audioslave CDs.

This news sucks.

kinda hard when matt cameron is pearl jams drummer.

as much as i would kill for a SG reunion, i cant give up Matt, as a PJ fan

This should hardly be surprising to anyone (and I dont think it is) since Audioslave nearly self destructed prior to the release of their first album. (Remember, Cornell quit then - presumably over the business side of things, but maybe there were other issues as well.)

Getting three full albums in is actually quite an accomplishment under those circumstances. Three good albums at that.

Now, I hate Rage with a passion, but with Cornell in there (as Audioslave) I thought they were a very good band. I'm not a huge Soundgarden fan, either (they were great at what they did, but I only liked a half dozen or so of their songs).

Makes you wonder if Soundgarden will ever get back together. I would be interested in hearing what they would do today.