Revelations

Alternative rock with some elements of funk

The supergroup Audioslave consisting of former Soundgarden front man Chris Cornell and the instrumentalists of Rage Against The Machine including guitarist Tom Morello, bassist Tim Commerrford and drummer Brad Wilk, is an example of what talented musicians can do combining originally different approaches to alternative rock. This September the band releases its new album Revelations that has become one of the year’s most anticipated rock records. The record marks certain changes in Audioslave’s creative activity: if before Chris Cornell refused to write political texts, now there are some politically influenced songs on Revelations, which the audience is sure to appreciate. Among other themes there are love, life and losses, all basically present on the band’s previous works. Tom Morello’s unique style of guitar playing with extensive use of pedals and other devices refines each track on Revelations as well as Cornell’s powerful voice and at times really ferocious growling. Alternative rock here is added some elements of funk, which makes the album more interesting and differs it from Audioslave’s other creations. Using no special audio effects the band provides the listeners with a natural instrumental sounding and pure Cornell’s vocals that are able to do more than any equipment.

Revelations is a more topical and personal album

After the first hearing it is obvious that the band’s sounding has become more harmonious and at the same time it has never been so hard. Revelations offers a fast pace funky rock with a darker tone and the tracks with more anthemic choruses and heavy solos. The album opens with the title song, featuring Morello’s roaring guitar, and the following composition One and the Same surprisies with a lengthy solo. The aptly named track Sound Of A Gun most reminds of Rage Against The Machine’s works, while on Original Fire Cornell’s voice at the beginning is accompanied only by the drums and sounds stronger than ever. Audioslave gets closest to funk on the catchy song Broken City and gets back to its hard rock on Somedays. The most overtly polotical track on Revelations is the composition Wide Awake, a message to the US government concerning the consequences of the Katrina tragedy. The song amazes with its realistic lyrics and desparate notes in the front man’s vocals. The theme of love appears on one of Chris’ most personal songs Nothing Left To Say But Goodbye, which he has devoted to his new family-life. During listening one can notice that each of the band members tries his best to be heard and maintain the rich combination of the instruments and vocals. On the whole, Revelations is a more topical and personal album, than Audioslave’s other works, and one of the most magnificent rock albums of this year.

One of the best records of Audioslave

We are so lucky Audioslave keeps recording real rock albums and making music, which is not heard every day. Chris Cornell has never been in a better form, managing to take unexpectedly high notes and tensing his lungs to produce the famous growling that is still remembered by Soundgarden fans. The same can be said of guitar virtuoso Tom Morello with his unconventional manner of playing refined with scratching solos; the other musicians are not left behind, successfully completing the new songs instrumental background. Unlike the previous albums, Revelations is filled with an enormous amount of energy, striking with rage and other emotions, as if there has been a second breath open for Audioslave. This is not an album to spend a romantic evening: the deep true-to-life lyrics and loud at times aggressive music earn it a name of the rockers’ favorite and funky moments will attract some new fans to Audioslave. It is worth while hoping that this new energy charge is going to work long enough to inspire the guys for at least one more as powerful and topical creation as Revelations, and for now one can stay calm that this year there has finally appeared one of the best records of Audioslave.