Being one of the biggest super bands in recent memory, Audioslave put on a show that few would forget. The combination of former Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell and Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk, formerly of the immensely popular Rage Against the Machine, put on an amazing show that had all the elements of what a true rock concert is all about.
The concert took place at the enclosed Tweeter Center in Camden, NJ, and had the feel of a very intimate show. The inner section of the venue was totally packed by the time Seether had finished there set, which was quite forceful and a very good lead-in to the main band.
When it seemed as though the expectation of Audioslave was about to brim over into madness, the band came out with their hard-hitting single “Your Time Has Come” off of their second album, “Out of Exile.” It was the perfect choice to open with because it really got the crowd going right from the start. The next few songs they played were all from their new album and the crowd seemed to love hearing this combination of musical genius that is Audioslave.
Of their first 10 songs, only two were vintage Rage or Soundgarden, those being the Cornell created, “Spoonman” and “Rusty Cage.” Both were excellently played by the members of Rage, who had to learn the songs since the creation of the band.
Then it happened.
“Bulls On Parade.” Everybody who was at the concert was waiting for this song to begin and it blew everyone away. Surprisingly, they played it as an instrumental with the bellowing howl of Cornell. They did have a reason behind this however because they segued directly into “Sleep Now In The Fire,” where Cornell made a triumphant return to the stage and screamed his lungs out.
After a long version of the Audioslave tune, “Shadow on the Sun,” Cornell went into a solo acoustic set of five songs, both Audioslave and Soundgarden. This really showed his musical range and confidence in his talents. Armed with a single guitar, his mic, and a stool, Cornell thoroughly blew the crowd away and totally changed my perspective on him and his musical ability.
After his set concluded, the band returned for the three best songs of the night. “Show Me How To Live” was the first song they played and it was as though the crowd was rocked back to life after the melodic lull of Cornell’s solo set. Following that came my favorite song of the night, which totally electrified the crow, “Killing In The Name Of.”
It was as though the crowd was one force. One body. Everybody was screaming the words at the top of their lungs and jumping up and down with fists pointed towards the sky. The lyrics are, of course, lewd at times, but that made the crowd that much more crazy and it was honestly one of my best concert experiences.
They finished with the first single they ever released as a band, “Cochise,” and it was a perfect way to close an absolutely astonishing show. People argued that they wouldn’t be able to repeat the success of their former bands, but I totally disagree. They know how to rock!
Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to: Loquitur@yahoogroups.com. The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.
Posted to the web by Brandon Edwards
