Audioslave – Audioslave (2xLP)

Audioslave (2002) is the powerful debut from the supergroup formed by Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell and Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, Tim Commerford, and Brad Wilk. The album fuses Cornell’s soaring, soulful vocals with Rage’s muscular grooves and inventive guitar textures, creating a sound that’s both familiar and entirely new. Tracks like “Cochise,” “Like a Stone,” and “Show Me How to Live” showcase the band’s chemistry — heavy, melodic, and full of emotional fire. The record’s blend of hard rock intensity and introspective lyricism gave it a distinct identity amid early-2000s rock. Beyond its raw power, Audioslave reveals a band searching for transcendence through volume and vulnerability. Cornell’s lyrics wrestle with isolation and rebirth, while Morello’s inventive riffs and effects push rock’s boundaries without losing visceral punch. The result is an album that stands tall on its own terms — passionate, precise, and unapologetically massive. Audioslave’s debut remains a testament to the creative spark that can ignite when four singular musicians meet at their peak.

Reviews

“An inspired meeting of muscle and melody — Audioslave sound as powerful as their pedigree promises.” – Rolling Stone

“Chris Cornell’s vocals soar above some of the tightest, heaviest grooves of the era.” – NME

“A bold and cohesive debut that finds beauty in sheer force.” – The Guardian