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What do you do after breaking up one of the heaviest grunge metal bands ever? And what do you do after breaking up one of the most successful political hardcore bands ever? It took everyone awhile to figure it out, but the answer is, apparently, you join forces to form Audioslave, one of the hardest flat-out rock bands going today. Audioslave came about after front-man Zack de la Rocha, famous for his provocative, anti-capitalist raps with Rage Against the Machine, left the band citing creative differences. The remaining band-mates-funk-riff guitarist Tom Morello and a bruising rhythm section made up of Brad Wilk and Tim Commerford-realized that they had a good thing going on and started auditioning new vocalists, planning to keep the Rage Against the Machine name. They reportedly jammed with B-Real from Cypress Hill and Maynard Keenan from Tool before arch producer Rick Rubin got them in touch with Chris Cornell, ex-vocalist of Seattle's Soundgarden. Soundgarden had set themselves apart from the early 90's grunge explosion with heavier, metal-based riffs played under druggy, poetic lyrics and explosive choruses. Chris Cornell's powerful voice had always been able to carry audibly over the sound and fury behind him, and he turned out to be a perfect match. Audioslave's debut self-titled album was a professional, stylish slab of epic psych-rock. The riffs are heavy, but subject matter is surprisingly broad. They named their first single "Cochise" after the last rebel Native American Indian chief while "Getaway Car" flirted with the blues and "I Am the Highway" explores surreal lyrical territory.

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