Audioslave

• Chris Cornell - vocals
• Tom Morello - guitar
• Timmy Commerford - bass
• Brad Wilk - drums

What do you get if you cross the frontman of one of the Seattle grunge scene's biggest bands with the musicians who comprised 3 quarters of one of the most highly politicised, unflinchingly fierce groups ever? Ask a year earlier and it would've been Civilian. Until ex-Soundgarden man Chris Cornell walked out on the former Rage Against The Machine, that is.

After allegedly refusing point blank to sing any political lyrics, Cornell returned later that year. Switching to the name Audioslave, the group completed their self-titled album (2002), which was generally considered as "awkward" by critics. Nevertheless, slowburning success followed, with the album climbing the charts on both sides of the Atlantic.