Cool! When I finally get to visit New Zealand, I will definitely visit Audioslave Nation.

Thanks guy's, your terrif',

Susan

 

Thats real funny. I can't wait for the CD. The art work looks good.
 

    Let me say this right away. I love your music and your sound. You are all very talented musicians. I am also a huge RATM and Soundgarden fan. That doesnt mean Im so shallow as to compare this to that. All good things must change and progress. And I think the mix of talent is inspiring musically. My problem is this: In the most caustic age of war, death, discrimination, inhumanity and corporate/nationalistic takeover of peoples rights and many other injustices, your music and your message is strangely quiet (Not entirely but irritatingly so.) and it couldnt have happened at a worse time in our history.

            Maybe I just dont get it. I dont see how you can go from reaching millions of listeners screaming Wake Up when our country is crumbling to pieces as the very ideals you helped to instill in me and millions of others are ripped apart by fascist assholes that have executed a coup d'État to take over this country from the true majority and real American values.

            I know you are working with SOAD and they are obviously more outwardly activist than many groups but again not so nearly as much as rage. And yet NIN, A Perfect Circle, Eminem, Public Enemy (especially Chuck D), TOOL and many others are dropping a song here or there that is eye-opening or informative enough to kick a person in the ass and get them going!

            Chris Cornell must have some opinion about all this. As a big Supersonics fan (I remember the picture with Sam Perkins was it?) Chris, hailing from Seattle, should be exposed to a rich history of activism. Anyone remember black masks and RIOTS in 1999 over the WTO and globalization? This was the first real American rioting and outward expression of anger at the injustice of corporate promotion of sweatshops and the crippling of labor laws.

            Im singling out Chris because of his background with Soundgarden. While Chris didnt come into this project from a group like RAGE he sure as hell had some fire in him at one point. Anyone remember TEMPLE OF THE DOG and that most popular song HUNGER STRIKE?

            The point is this. You have a voice that reaches millions of people. You have experience with the bullshit this country is going through now. I can blog all day long and reach 20 or 30 a day. I can get through my schooling and in my early 30s and try to break through to make more of a difference. But you bastards gave it away. You gave away a voice that reached out and made them think.

            Audioslave doesn't remind me of anything but good music (with just a light salting of anarchy). A lot of people have said that you are now a bunch of rich pop-artists getting richer but Im not going to let you off that easily. You all have a damn responsibility to people just like we the people have a responsibility to VOTE! All too often we take these responsibilities too lightly. You should be angry and disgusted at what is going on in the world and you should shout that out as loud as you can. Otherwisewhats the point? Weve already got enough distractions to last us a lifetime. And you know this country is screwed when our measure of the war and only interaction with it (it being the War on Terror, The Afghanistan War, The Iraq War and the newly formed Israel vs. Lebanon (Hezbollah) war) is our dismay at the rise in gas prices while tens to hundreds of thousands die or are maimed.

            But we dont want to hear all that. Personally I feel that Audioslave has a meaning in name if nothing else. Your sound has made you slaves to the pop-rock culture regardless of your talent. It is a far cry and a disgrace from what you all used to be. I know you perform benefit concerts and still promote good causes but damn. Its just too watered down in an age this insane.

            -Posted by an original Grunge/Alternative fanboy.

And I don't think running away to an island in the middle of no-where is going to solve any problems...

 

Holly shitballz. Well said. Tommy Boy- Bring Rage back.
 

I agree with everything Temet Nosce had to say. I feel the same way about the change over from being one of the baddest in your face bands out there to just another watered down band singing
watered down songs. It is like two totally opposite extremes. What happened?
 

While I respect what this comment conveys, I have to disagree with a lot of it's points. About a month ago, I watched Pearl Jam on Storytellers. While the performance was quite good, I constantly found myself wishing they would perform their earlier material and talk about teenage angst as opposed to blatantly democratic political views. After a very short period of time, their ramblings on the Bush administration became annoying and distracting.

Please don't misunderstand. I'm not a Bush supporter. I'm just a music lover who doesn't think politics belong in every song. Besides, RATM was a much angrier band than Audioslave, and while the political lyrics worked well for them, Audioslave is a more mature, classier band that doesn't need that same setup.

I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying that the "light dusting" is not too hot, not too cold, and just right for someone like me. I don't mean to offend you. Your comment was actually one that demonstrated a sound opinion with intelligence, which is something I value highly in the increasingly ignorant country that America is becoming.


-Posted by another original Grunge/Alternative fanboy.




Jason, Black Light Theory.
 

Haha! Nice response :) Not all fans like to kiss so much ass. I have more respect for these guys than most other musicians and have been following them for their entire careers. I am a fan and I have no problem with letting them or you know how I feel about them. I don't think you need to defend them. They are big boys in the public light. They knew what they were getting into when they went in this direction.
And hey! I'm not miserable. I'm just totally involved! As for the loser part...eh whatever. Better to be a loser than ignorant. It's not like I'm trying to impress anyone here.
 

some of what you say i agree with... but a person cant stay angry and fired up all the time... it gets old fast and wears the person thin. i love audioslave's music, am not familliar with Rage against the machine or Soundgarden so cant compare... but you are right... any celeb these days has the ability to reach thousands of fans... but do the majority of those fans want to hear anything other than 'entertainment'? (its amazing how many 'fans' are slamming bono these days for being 'too' political, and wish he'd just shut up and sing - myself not included)

 

It is so true that a person cannot stay angry all the time. It just uses up alot of energy. But anger is different from hate (I'm just making the distinction here, I know you didn't compare) in that it can be used to form change and awareness. The great thing about RATM was that they had a huge amount of fun doing what they did and generally they entertained but had a message if anyone was willing to listen. So you could just enjoy the music and rock out or you could dive deeper if you wanted to. They did some amazing covers as a band and were just very socially active. It was great to see. On top of that they had so much talent and passion that their music and its energy would blow you away and just put a huge smile on your face. And yes I am frustrated that the "message" is gone from the talented music. I'm not dissing their style and talent as so many reactionaries assume when they reply to my opinion.
I think Audioslave has a great sound...their newest single isn't really appealing to me but I've enjoyed alot of their other stuff. Chris Cornell is an amazing singer and the band behind them are some of my favorite people on the planet. I just question how they could just shut off and go completely mainstream. RATM was mainstream musically but their "message" (once again) was not.
Bono comes from a war-torn part of the world and understands violence. We are so subjected to it and yet so disassociated from it that we often lash out at people that speak out even though we have created 3 wars in the last 6 years and working on a fourth. But if your motives are to save lives and raise awareness I say go for it. And that's what we are missing from Audioslave.
 

I'm with Spooky; I think you take yourself way too seriously. Relax guy, they're a band, not the Messiah. Audioslave ROCKS!
 

First yes. Audioslave does rock. Second I don't take myself seriously but I know that remaining ignorant to the world around me does a disservice to you, me and everyone else and only allows for injustice and manipulation of the people. Third, I'm the most relaxed laid-back guy you'll ever meet generally speaking. Obviously alot more than Spooky who immediately tells someone to f**k off without even wanting to understand the actual point of what I'm writing. I also re-red my comment and it doesn't mention anywhere in there that I think Audioslave should be the messiah. I think they should be responsible and to a degree they are. But I'm a fan, I have an opinion and it is just as valid as anyone elses.

I think "Renegades of Funk" describes how I feel about this best:
*****************************************************
From a different solar system many many galaxies away
We are the force of another creation
A new musical revelation
And were on this musical mission to help the others listen
And groove from land to land singin electronic chants like
Zulu nation
Revelations
Destroy our nations
Destroy our nations
Destroy our nations
Destroy our nations
Destroy our nations
Destroy our nations

Now renegades are the people with their own philosophies
They change the course of history
Everyday people like you and me
Were the renegades were the people
With our own philosophies
We change the course of history
Everyday people like you and me
Cmon

Here's a link to the song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFeMbjsJwFk
*********************************************************
Brad, Tim and especially Tom are (or rather were) Renegades of Funk in their own right. They had a big chance to change the course of history (at least I and many others feel that way), They are everyday people with alot of talent and awareness into the world today. I'm going to make sure that people don't forget their message. I know Tom Morello wont let others forget:

Check out his other websites (don't worry, Audioslave is mentioned in all of them)
http://www.ratm.com/
http://www.axisofjustice.org/

Obviously the band and its members that you love find social justice to be important. If you are a real fan you should know about these guys and all the good they really stand for. And you should get INVOLVED.
 

I am a big Rage, SG and Audioslave fan. The music is great. Let me ask you a question: RE: "We change the course of history"--Just exactly which rock band with US ties was allowed to play in CUBA for the first time in over 30 years? Who broke the barrier? Is this changing the course of history or not? Just a question...
 

Now THAT is the best response I've gotten so far!!! Yes (and huge Kudos to you for pointing it out) Audioslave was the first to play in Cuba for many years. And it is one of those grand steps in the right direction. I acknowledged the fact that they do benefit concerts and that they still have a streak of social justice and change on some level. And I give them huge props for that. But you are the first "fan" to point that out.
There was one other guy who noted that Tom works with SOAD to make AOJ (which is having its own problems right now). These are all very good men. But it is obvious to me, with many of the responses that I've gotten, that the new "fans" (sorry, I just hate that word...it's so meaningless) are hardly aware or involved at all with the good things this band does. That's not to make a blanket statement and say all of us are like that. You are an obvious exception.
The second I learned about AOJ I wrote them to see if there was anyway I could help but their email doesn't work and the site itself, like the RATM site, doesn't look like it has been updated or worked on in awhile. Lots of broken links and other problems.
I know they are doing their best and I look forward to what they will come up with but their current message is still a far cry from statements they once made (with the exception, possibly, of playing in Cuba) such as shutting down the NYSE when they played on its steps to protest record profits and record poverty/layoffs in this country (see my profile for the video).
Of course I enjoy and encourage dissent on this topic :) Fire away....
 

Hmm, well I'm just gonna say that I love the music. I don't find the need to vent my personal issues onto this, since it is a fansite. And, either way, I completely love the music and think that you guys rock. Can't wait till the new cd comes out.
 

just because a band (or any sort of revolutionary) isn't screaming its message at its fans (or supporters) to wake up, doesn't mean that they have lost the fire in their bellies. screaming at or for something isn't always the way to get through to all people. some might need the alarm, while others just need to hear a quiet whisper.

the message is more important than the messenger that brings it.
 

I totally agree. But I think we are awfully short on messengers.
 

Perhaps they are calling the tune and it is down to us to something about it?????? I mean how many of us take an interest in our own towns or in the outside world???? How many times have you walked past the little old lady shaking a charity jar outside a departmant store but have bought 3 pairs of shoes inside? How many of us donate to charity from our wages? How many of us do anything to improve our hometowns we see injustice we moan but we don't do anything individually, how many of you take an interest in world issues? Can you name the foriegn secretary in your own country who is in charge if these issues, can you name the education secretary?, the defence secretary? if you can't then you cannot moan because you voted these people into power and it is down to you to lobby these people if you are not satisfied with their results! The people when rallied are the most powerful voice on this planet, but unfortunately most people don't care as long as it doesn't disturb their own lives! I love Audioslave, I also loved RAGM and Soundgarden and they are doing their bit and calling the tune, it is down to us all individually if we listen. How bad has this world got to get before we do????????
 

I have to agree with most of what you say. I just walked down the block to check on an elderly neighbor. It is 103 degrees with a heat index of 110. All of his windows are open. I found him in good health--he just doesn't like A/C. I would not have been able to live with myself if I had NOT at least checked. I also volunteer at a local organization--food, clothing, jobs, childcare etc. I will never forget last winter when a man walked in the front door, during an ice storm, with no shoes on his feet. He walked out with 2 pairs of shoes and about 3 pairs of socks--AND a coat--after his meal. You are absolutely right--we must be active in our own communities to make any kind of lasting changes. Giant steps usually start with baby steps. Start walking.
By the way--I LOVE THE MUSIC!
 

Sarah YOU are a righteous goddess and I fully agree with you. That has always been the premise: Doing something about âitâ and removing ignorance from our society. Most other âfirst-worldâ countries have people in our age group that really understand the politics of their country. Obviously not everyone but a hell of a lot more than here. And so few of us vote it is just stupid. Voting is a privilege and should be required but those in power want to keep us too busy and very uninformed so we just mosey along blind as bats to everything they do.
If you type my name into Google (my real name) youâll instantly get many hits about my local activism and involvement with my home community. Youâll also get a glimpse of my time in the military etc. The point is this. Iâm poor as dirt. I made about 3K last year and that puts me wayyyyyy below the poverty line in this country. Still I found a way to make my voice heard and make a difference. That difference is small but if everyone just took a few days or even a week out of the year to help their community this country would be VERY different and much better.
When I was in the Air National Guard the entire premise was to help your country out 1 weekend a month and 3 weeks out of the year. Now if we could put that same energy into something other than WAR and greedâ¦hot damn. We could do an about-face in a matter of months.
But if we decide to have these ignorant do-nothing attitudes you might as well stick your own head between your legs and kiss your ass goodbye because it starts with you and it (ahem) âendsâ (no pun intended) with you as well.
Great response. Thanks for joining in this dialogue.
 

Audioslave is one of the best bands out there right now. Anything that Chris Cornell does is just pure genius. I am a huge Soundgarden/Audioslave/CC fan and I think everything he's ever written is real and true to his heart. It can be political or not, he's the best songwriter I've ever heard. Just appreciate what Audioslave puts out and like it or not...
 

I never said I didn't like Audioslave. I did say that I'm not so hot on their new single. And Chris is a damn fine songwriter.... as far as pure lyrics go I don't know that anyone is better than Chuck D of public enemy. His stuff is just amazing. But in the lyrics department he is right up there with Billy Corgan and Trent Reznor (and if you knew how much I like NIN that is giving Chris HUGE props). Chris has, however, a voice above all. Unique and totally intense. I think his mom was an opera singer actually. Don't quote me on that.
 

Respect, though i do, 'norsu's clear articulacy and intellegence, i'm finding it difficult, despite his many elaborations, to empathise completely with his point. I partially empathise in as much as i appreciate that bands producing politically profound material such as 'rage' are more than a little thin on the ground, however,.....

i believe that the key to great music, if you take the composer being talented as read, is sincerity. if a song writer is honest in what he/she is writing the music will always be at it's most compelling.

I feel that Chris Cornell's lyrics clearly come from a different place than the likes of Zack de la Rocha, and always have. I also feel that joining a band with the remaining members of 'rage' instantly subjected cornell to pressures and expectations to fly the metaphorical flag that Zack took with him. i feel that if Chris was to yeild to this unfair pressure, it would compromise his sincerity, and result in something forced and contrived, which is never good.

we've established that Cornell is a great singer/songwriter, fronting a really great, solid rock band that write good, honest rock tunes,...their inspiration is thier business, not ours, we just judge the tunes.
And besides, we've also established, that by thier actions as people (benefits, charities etc,...) they make their motivations resoundingly clear.

Now lets move on to my biggest gripe with band, Tom Morello!
Tom started off in 'rage' as an innovative, able player, composing massive riffs and really unique solos,.....what happened?,...........
Whilst the riffage can still be found in abundance in places, the solos are more often than not, completely shit!!!!!!
Go and have listen to 'original fire', it's got a cool grove all the way through, then the solo kicks in and it sounds like a choir of people letting the air out of taught balloons in a very irritating, albeit orchastrated fashion, piss off Tom!!!!,.....sort it out!
 

First of all. Practicing the truth blesses you. some will see your example but won't necessarily connect the dots. However, spreading the truth through activism and messsage blesses other people. That is righteous and worthy for the highest honor in the kingdom of eternaty. Not the blink of an eye that is the kingdom of man. And you're problem with Tom will have to be taken up with the big guy. This man was anointed by him.
 

uhh, i dont know why im doing this but here you go. Audioslave is a music band, now if you want a band political intervension and activeness, well there are many outhere. As they probably said over and over, we are together for the music, its not like they have to write a political song, whenever they feel like doing one, they will. But for now, Cornells lyrics are pretty damn good and im more than okay with them, but its mostly their sound and power that i enjoy, all those little weird solos and Cornalls voice just ripping through what it would seem to be a Rage backround...thats all there is to it, dont try to make things so complicated. The audioslave guys will probably tel you all that.
The worm kicks ass.
 

it's a bit crazy how this discussion has surfaced because shouldn't we just be enjoying the Audioslave Nation, afterall this is what this blog was for.... I love the new song anyhow and i will be seeing you guys again hopefully if you do an England tour.
 

Well in regards to those Grunge/Alternative dumbasses, Go f*ckin wake up and enjoy music not for the name or image but for something lots of us have forgotten, the music.
And the island is just a clever art idea, it shows no intent to run away and shy away from the world, its A F*CKIN ART CONCEPT, god you all you people, just grow up.
Audioslave is a brilliant band and theyr'e music is awsome, I love their first and second albums, and im sure they will out do themselves with Revelations, Audioslave's music takes me to another place, a place where no one judges you or criticises who you are or what you do, it gives me a feeling of freedom, the harsh reality of life and the bittersweet dreams that we know might not come true.....
Just be yourself and live life don't criticise it......
Wake Up
 

So does no-one agree that Tom Morrello's solo's are getting worse and worse, surely I can't be the only one that thinks they're ruining otherwise rockin' songs?
 

I agree Eilian

I've had Audioslave (the album) and Out of Exile on my iPod since the day they came out

I listened to 'em all the time + they fit round my emotions if I needed to think, and the music was great if I wanted to jam with 'em

but this latest one

I feel pretty let down as far as solo's go

It didnt create an atmosphere like the last songs

Chris is still the greatest singer in the world to me, I hear echoes of songs from TOTD like Say Hello 2 Heaven in my head all the time, such a powerful voice making it sound so easy

Even simple riffs like the one in Bring 'Em Back Alive

sommit like

-||-0---12-0-9h10-0---6-0-5--0-3-3--||-3---10-0-9h10-0-5-6-0-5--3h5||--

I think. Anyway, that was simple and sounded awesome

I ain't dissin' audioslave as a band, I love em, n what the guys stand (stood) for,

but Tom, you're an amazing guitarist, and with half the stuff you pull out your bag n amaze us with (even though half the time you have no idea how you do it) bring it all back to the stage, please.
 

Wow, Mr. Politics, thanks for hijacking the comments page for no good reason. Please post it somewhere where it's actually relevant next time.




Anyway, I think this is one of the strangest promotions of all time, which means I'm on board.
 

Audioslave Nation on Google Earth! lmao
That is just too cute.
Love it.
Watch should I pack for my trip?
 

love the idea but i can't find it!!
 

i like that very much... really nice, original idea.
as for all the political stuff you lot are blabbering on about... leave it... ratm and audioslave are not the same band... if zach wanted to write lyrics like that, good for him. I dont think saying chris should write political lyrics is right... its just comprimising his creativity. if you want political, go listen to tool, go back to rage or something. each band is their own band, audioslave are audioslave and they're are awesome as they are. Personally I think chris' songwriting is amazing. system of a down are reaching out anyway and giving messages to people in a less than subtle manner, and they are very popular anyway. i love all the bands mentioned, and personally i dont think we are short of messengers- i think most poeple dont listen music with the right message.
 

That was really cool. I loved it. ..as for all the political stuff, record stores still sell Rage albums, and Tom does the Nightwatchman thing... so yeah, the message is still out there... but yeah, i love the new album!
 

i must say that i agree with norsu on being active in your community and trying to make a difference. i dont quite understand this audioslave island thing, but whatever. i also want to say that i enjoy RATM's sound more than audioslave, their older stuff was decidedly better than what it is now. with the exception of the beginning to original fire on the new album. my new art project for my IB art course is called wake up and consists of a man dying and being kept alive by things such as dollar signs and huge throbbing FOX signs and with islamophobic symbols and so on...and this was all inspired from that song, so im basically tryin 2 say that RATM really were the original guys that tried to make a difference and were the first to be heard. also, and this is not sayin that the other 3 guys dont do this, but zack was probably the most visibly active part of RATM in terms of literal voice. for example ive never heard tom sing or speak with exception of a few backing vocals. people associate zack with the RATM message, despite the ironic fact that three of the guys went on to make audioslave with chris and were all just as active as him. i also just want to say that all those people swearing and making unconstructive comments here need to go do something else with their time. music should be used for good simply because music is a good thing. ignorance kills. peace
 

This is what makes me mad about a lot of fans. They can't just appreciate music for what it is: entertainment! Every song, note, and lyric doesn't have to have some hidden meaning or be a political statement! Music is meant to entertain, and in Audioslaves case, kick ass, so judge not less thee be judged, you wanna make a statement, then do it, but don't force your views down our throats when expression is something to be done ON YOUR OWN TERMS! Just let this amazing band be, and while we will miss them, they've given us songs that will last a lifetime and beyond, just like soundgarden did. Both bands have changed my life for the better simply because I enjoy the sound; it makes me happy. I don't look for a statement, I don't try to rebel against the government. Anarchy is the biggest bull-shit I've ever heard. Have you taken a look lately at the so called "anarchists" in our country? Their the burger flipping, black haired, pale skinned wastes of space that drain the economy they spend so much time trying to abolish. The truth is, without our government, these goth/emo anarchist homo's would be face down in a ditch, and our country would be better off for it, and in the words of Forest Gump, "That's all I have to say about that"
 

thats great shit, good work
 

"Shadow on the Sun" Not "Black Hole Sun" but not bad....