SANTA MONICA, CA. (Interscope Records) - Audioslave, the supergroup comprised of former
Soundgarden leader
Chris Cornell and Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello, Tim C. and Brad Wilk, is back in a big way this week with their new CD, "Out of Exile."
The album, produced by Rick Rubin and released on Interscope/Epic Records May 24th, debuted this week on the Billboard Top 200 chart at No 1. It also debuted at No 1 in Mexico, No 1 in Norway, No 1 in New Zealand, No 2 in Brazil, No 3 in Ireland, No 3 in Australia and No 5 in the U.K. The album bowed Top 5 around the rest of the world as well.
"We've made an album we're really proud of and having the No. 1 record in the country is amazing. Do not doubt it: Our fans rule," Morello said.
"Out of Exile" is Audioslave's follow up to its highly successful 2002 self-titled debut album, which has sold over 5 million records worldwide.
The first single from "Out Of Exile," "Be Yourself," was No 1 at both the Rock and Alternative radio charts, where it sat for four consecutive weeks. The current single, "Your Time Has Come," continues its climb up the Modern Rock, Mainstream Rock and Active Rock charts
With such other songs as "Doesn't Remind Me," "Man or Animal" and "Heaven's Dead," Audioslave has delivered a strong and cohesive sophomore release, that finds the group truly developing into a rock band that has proven itself worthy of all the anticipatory buzz that preceded it while it maps out its own place in rock history.
The group is currently touring Europe, where they are performing to sold-out audiences across the continent.
On May 6, Audioslave became the first American rock group to play Cuba, attracting the largest crowd to attend a concert by an American artist in the communist country's history. About 60,000 rock-starved fans cheered, cried and sang along as Audioslave made rock history.
Fans wearing Audioslave t-shirts and those of other American rock bands were among the enormous crowd at the free outdoor concert at Havana's La Tribuna Antimperialista Jose Marti. Thousands of fans, some waving flags, even an American one, jumped up and down in unison as the band rocked on.
The nearly two-and-a-half hour concert of 26 songs was the longest of Audioslave's career.
Audioslave brought its show to its hometown of Los Angeles on May 18, shutting down Hollywood Blvd. for a free concert and television performance on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live.
In front of an exuberant audience numbering close to 10,000, Audioslave performed their two current chart-topping singles "Be Yourself" and "Your Times Has Come" for airing on the Kimmel show.
After the television performance was complete, the band performed a 40-minute set for the large crowd that included songs from Audioslave's upcoming "Out Of Exile" album, their self-titled debut as well as Soundgarden and Rage Against the Machine tracks.
