Chris Cornell confirms departure from Audioslave

Singer Chris Cornell officially announced his departure from Audioslave in a press release issued on Thursday, February 15th. Cornell stated, "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 former Soundgarden vocalist also announced that his second solo album, titled Carry On, will be released on May 1st. The 14-track effort will feature "You Know My Name," Cornell's theme for the latest James Bond film, Casino Royale, as well as a cover of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean."

Cornell spoke with MTV late yesterday afternoon, saying that the split with Audioslave was "amicable" and that he needed to make music again on his own after working in a band environment. The vocalist added, "It hadn't really crossed my mind until a few days ago that I really have no intention of being in this band...I didn't really see any reason why we couldn't be a band at some point. But now, my feelings are what they are, and I just wanted to get things out on the table and be clear about it."

Cornell said that he expected an Audioslave greatest-hits collection to surface, possibly with some unreleased material included.

Rumors have been circulating since last summer that Cornell was leaving Audioslave or that the band was breaking up. The group did not tour behind its last album, 2006's Revelations.

Audioslave guitarist Tom Morello denied the rumors, telling us around the time of Revelations' release that he wasn't concerned about Cornell doing a solo project: "I've long ago given up worrying about such matters. It's a band made up of grown men who are gonna make choices, and that's really all you can say. I mean, what I try to concentrate on is the amazing, prolific output we've had, and I think we've made the best Audioslave record to date. So that's kind of what my focus has been."

Morello, bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk recently announced that their previous band, Rage Against The Machine, will reunite to perform at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in April.

Cornell told MTV that he thought the idea of his former bandmates resurrecting Rage was "a great thing," but he dismissed the notion of a reunion with his first group, Soundgarden, saying, "We were happy with how it ended. There was no unfinished business...it's something we don't feel we need to do."
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