PORTLAND – Prepare yourselves for the music mastery that is Audioslave.
That’s right, alt-rockers, the all-star virtuoso featuring the blended styles of Seattle grunge rock (Soundgarden) and the birth of rap-core rockers Rage Against the Machine will play Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Cumberland County Civic Center.
When Rage Against the Machine split up in October of 2000, after the departure of Zach de la Rocha, the remaining members were left with a void to fill. They needed a singer, and not just any singer would do. After all, a band as talented and influential as Rage needed a singer who would complement the band and allow members to change their name and sound.
The resulting Audioslave was obviously a success as we watched its debut record go mutiplatinum on the coattails of songs like “Cochise,” named for the great American Indian chief who died free and unconquered, and the moody rocker “Like a Stone.”
The band went on the road in support of that album, with a show in Havana, Cuba, that marked that country’s first outdoor concert.
The band also played the largely popular Lollapalooza tour in 2003.
Now besides Tom Morello on guitar (who’s amazing), Audioslave is comprised of Soundgarden prodigy Chris Cornell on vocals, Brad Wilk and Tim Commerford. Morello and Cornell helped revolutionize alternative rock from the early ’90s with their previous bands and continue to do so with Audioslave.
Audioslave’s music is what some critics call the post-grunge rock movement; but keep in mind many people simply need to label anything and everything.
I, on the other hand, am not going to assign a label to Audioslave and will, instead, classify the band as good.
Audioslave is touring in support of its sophomore record which has already seen two singles hit the radio locally on 93.9 WCYY.
Joining Audioslave will be Seether and 30 Seconds to Mars who, like the headliners, have received airplay on WCYY.
In fact, some of you may have caught Seether a few months back when the band came to town.
The musical diversity of this show should serve to be a tremendous concert experience.
Tickets for the Wednesday, Nov. 2, concert are $40.50, general admission. Tickets are available at www.theciviccenter.com.
The show is scheduled to open with performances by 30 Seconds to Mars and Seether. See you in the pit.
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