Audioslave
by Audioslave
  • Record Label: Epic
  • Release Date: Nov 19, 2002
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 19
  3. Negative: 3 out of 19
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    The result isn't a faux Rage album; rather, it's the true follow-up to Soundgarden's ''Superunknown'' that neither that band nor a solo Cornell ever managed.
  2. Q Magazine
    90
    A remarkable record. [Feb 2003, p.96]
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  3. Playlouder
    90
    One of the most important rock bands ever meets one of the best, and guess what, they've only gone and knocked out a bonafide masterpiece. It's 1993 all over again, but it's also 1970 and 2002 and beyond, because an album this classic transcends any pigeonholing.
  5. Spin
    80
    They just want to rock you into peaceful submission, and they are successful about 70 percent of the time. [Dec 2002, p.135]
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  6. Launch.com
    80
    Audioslave is the best of both bands.
  7. Dot Music
    80
    The first truly great rock band of the 21st century.
  8. E! Online
    75
    While a bit of this debut sounds like Cornell doing his best over Rage-ified staccato riffs, these guys are at the top of their game when they reverse the formula and make way for Cornell's masterful wail and poetic imagery.
  9. The A.V. Club
    70
    A curious idea from its inception, pairing Soundgarden's singer with Rage's musicians promises a unique alchemy it can't entirely deliver, obscuring the latter's politics and distinct sound.
  10. Austin Chronicle
    67
    This "debut" is surprisingly nimble, but mostly it's exactly what everyone expected: Chris Cornell blowing out his trachea over a familiar "Killing in the Name" liquid grind.

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2002
7
#7 Most Shared Album of 2002

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 154 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 136 out of 154
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 154
  3. Negative: 9 out of 154
  1. Vampire25
    Jan 3, 2011
    5
    Audioslave's debut is highly flawed. But I think deep down, it's kind of a good album. Chris Cornell's lyrics though are extremely bad. TheAudioslave's debut is highly flawed. But I think deep down, it's kind of a good album. Chris Cornell's lyrics though are extremely bad. The lyrics suck. "I was standing at the rock, gathering the flock". I mean come on. Soundgarden was an amazing band but Chris Cornell in Audioslave just isn't that great. Rage Against The Machine band members on the other hand are what makes this album slightly ok. Tom Morello's guitar solos are brilliant. Brad Wilk on drums is great, and Tim Commerford is also great. All In All, if you can mind Chris Cornell and really enjoy RATM, Audioslave should be a good album to enjoy. C… Full Review »
  2. TyroneP
    Oct 25, 2010
    5
    Half of the cuts are interesting and the other half are just bad versions of the interesting ones. Listening to this from start to finish is aHalf of the cuts are interesting and the other half are just bad versions of the interesting ones. Listening to this from start to finish is a real chore and, basically, it's just too draining for it to ever be an enjoyable record.… Full Review »
  3. btlzu2rh
    Jun 18, 2022
    9
    When this came out, I loved Cochise and was a bit blah about the rest. I love this kind of surprise because throughout the years, I'veWhen this came out, I loved Cochise and was a bit blah about the rest. I love this kind of surprise because throughout the years, I've periodically re-listened to it and realized I missed out on a pretty damn near perfect debut album. I loved Rage and Soundgarden and this was a mashup of exponential coolness and talent.

    I listen to this album more today than the first 2 years after it came out. To me, that's a sign of a classic. Great debut.    … Full Review »
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