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Out of Exile
The ocean against a cloudy sky is seen. The band's name is written in the background.
Studio album by
Audioslave
ReleasedMay 23, 2005 (2005-05-23)
RecordedJuly 2004 – January 2005
Studio
pre-production: Swinghouse (West Hollywood, California)
Genre
Length53:38
Label
Producer
Audioslave chronology
Audioslave
(2002) 		Out of Exile
(2005) 		Revelations
(2006)
Singles from Out of Exile
  1. "Be Yourself"
    Released: February 2, 2005
  2. "Your Time Has Come"
    Released: May 3, 2005
  3. "Doesn't Remind Me"
    Released: July 5, 2005

Out of Exile is the second studio album by American rock supergroup Audioslave, released on May 23, 2005, internationally, and a day later in the United States, through Epic Records and Interscope Records. It is the band's only album to chart at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The album spawned the singles "Be Yourself", "Your Time Has Come" and "Doesn't Remind Me" which was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 48th Grammy Awards.

Background

[edit]

In an interview shortly before the release of the album, drummer Brad Wilk said: "Audioslave the band has arrived. The first record was people from two other bands with history attached. I don't feel that with this record."[1] For his part, Chris Cornell said he wrote his most personal songs ever for the album, influenced by positive changes in his life since 2002.[2] He also described the album as more varied than the debut and relying less on heavy guitar riffs.[3]

On May 4, 2005, the band traveled to Havana, Cuba, to spend some time interacting with Cuban musicians[4] before playing a concert in the city on May 6.[5] An audience of 70,000 attended the free show, and Audioslave became the first American rock group to perform in Cuba.[6] At the time, Cornell said he hoped the concert would "help to open the musical borders between our two countries." The 26-song set made the concert the longest the band had ever played.[7] Many songs from Out of Exile were performed live for the first time at the concert, which was held three weeks prior to the release of the album. Live in Cuba, a concert documentary covering the band's time in Cuba, was released on DVD in October 2005.

The songs "Your Time Has Come" and "Man or Animal" were featured in the 2006 racing video game FlatOut 2.

Reception

[edit]

Critical

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic67/100[8]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[9]
The Austin ChronicleStarStarStarStar[10]
Blabbermouth6.5/10[11]
Entertainment WeeklyC+[12]
Los Angeles TimesStarStarStar[13]
Pitchfork6.8/10[14]
PopMatters5/10[15]
Rolling StoneStarStarStar[16]
Slant MagazineStarStarStarHalf star[17]
SpinA−[18]

Critical response to the album was mostly warm, with many reviews highlighting the fact that the band was beginning to establish its own identity, as opposed to just being Rage Against the Machine fronted by Cornell, which is how some critics described the sound of their first album.[19] Improvement was noted in the quality of Cornell's vocals, likely the result of him quitting smoking and drinking.[20] Slant Magazine said Out of Exile had "the sound of a band coming into its own",[21] and Allmusic praised the album as "lean, hard, strong, and memorable."[22]

The lyrics, however, were still a common complaint, with musicOMH.com writing that Cornell's lyrics "continue to border on the ridiculous."[23]

The album was chosen as one of Amazon.com's Top 100 Editor's Picks of 2005.

Commercial

[edit]

Out of Exile was released in the United States on May 24, 2005. It sold 263,000 copies in its first week of release, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.[24][25] The album has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, indicating sales of a million units.

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics written by Chris Cornell; all music composed by Audioslave.

Out of Exile track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Your Time Has Come"4:15
2."Out of Exile"4:51
3."Be Yourself"4:39
4."Doesn't Remind Me"4:15
5."Drown Me Slowly"3:53
6."Heaven's Dead"4:36
7."The Worm"3:57
8."Man or Animal"3:53
9."Yesterday to Tomorrow"4:33
10."Dandelion"4:38
11."#1 Zero"4:59
12."The Curse"5:09
Total length:53:38
UK bonus track
No.TitleLength
13."Like a Stone" (live)4:24
Japanese bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
13."Super Stupid" (Funkadelic cover) (live)Edward Hazel, Lucious Ross, William Nelson, George Clinton3:26
14."Like a Stone" (live) 4:24

Personnel

[edit]

Audioslave

Production and design

  • Produced by Rick Rubin and Audioslave
  • Recorded by Brian Virtue, Thom Russo, and Jim Scott; Assisted by Jonny Polonsky, Jason Gossman, Dan Leffler, and Billy Mimes
  • Album production coordinator/wrangler: Lindsay Chase
  • Mixed by Brendan O'Brien
  • Additional engineering by Billy Bowers
  • Mastered by Stephen Marcussen
  • Album cover by Antony Nagelmann
  • Art direction by Robert Fisher
  • Photography by Ethan Russell
  • Pre-production engineering by Keith Simon

Chart positions

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for Out of Exile
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[52] Platinum 70,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[53] Platinum 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[54] Platinum 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[56] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Out of Exile

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Out of Exile is the second studio album by the American rock supergroup , consisting of vocalist (formerly of ) and former members of —guitarist , bassist , and drummer —released on May 24, 2005, in the United States by Epic and . Produced by and mixed by Brendan O'Brien, the album features 12 tracks blending , , and elements, with a runtime of approximately 54 minutes. Upon release, Out of Exile debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 197,000 copies in its first week in the United States, marking Audioslave's first chart-topping album. The album spawned four singles: "Be Yourself," "Your Time Has Come," "Doesn't Remind Me," and the title track "Out of Exile," with "Be Yourself" achieving significant success by topping the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for seven weeks and the Modern Rock Tracks chart for four weeks, while peaking at number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100. Critically, the album received generally positive reviews for its matured songwriting and Cornell's powerful vocals, though some noted it did not fully escape the shadows of the members' previous bands. In 2025, to commemorate its 20th anniversary, reissued Out of Exile as a limited-edition double LP on "Silver Wave" colored vinyl through the Interscope Vinyl Collective series.

Background and development

Band context

formed in 2001 in , as a supergroup uniting vocalist and rhythm guitarist , formerly of , with guitarist , bassist , and drummer from , following the latter band's split after frontman Zack de la Rocha's departure. The collaboration emerged from informal jam sessions organized by producer , who sought to pair Cornell's powerful voice with the instrumental prowess of Morello, Commerford, and Wilk, blending elements of , , and into a fresh rock sound. This formation marked a significant pivot for all members, allowing them to explore new creative territories outside their established legacies. The band faced significant challenges during their early days, including a temporary disbandment in March when Cornell quit amid personal crises, leading to the cancellation of their announced appearance at and logistical issues from managerial disputes. The supergroup's origins also fueled struggles with forging a cohesive identity distinct from Soundgarden's brooding intensity or Rage Against the Machine's political aggression. Despite these hurdles, the members reconciled by late summer , allowing them to release their self-titled debut album in November , which achieved commercial success but drew mixed critical reception. Following the debut, Cornell's longstanding battle with alcohol and intensified, prompting intervention from his bandmates and a rehab stay in late 2002. Cornell's commitment to sobriety, achieved shortly after rehab and sustained through 2003, represented a pivotal personal turning point that stabilized the band's trajectory leading into their second album. Extensive touring in support of the debut throughout 2003 further solidified their chemistry, fostering greater trust and collaboration among the members. This evolution culminated in a more unified sonic approach by 2004, as the band prepared to record Out of Exile, shifting from the debut's tentative blend toward a confident, integrated rock expression reflective of their growing synergy.

Songwriting process

Chris Cornell served as the primary lyricist and melodist for Out of Exile, infusing the songs with themes drawn from his personal journey of recovery and , which he had achieved in with the support of his bandmates. This personal touch is evident in tracks like "Your Time Has Come," where Cornell reflects on his own near-death experiences and the losses of friends to , marking some of the most introspective writing of his career. Tom Morello played a key role in the songwriting through his signature riff-based approach, crafting guitar-driven structures that provided the foundational energy for the album's sound. Morello described the collaborative dynamic with Cornell as highly intuitive, where Cornell could quickly develop compelling melodies over Morello's riffs, fostering a seamless integration of elements from their respective backgrounds in and . The band engaged in intensive collaborative jamming sessions during pre-production in early 2004, which allowed them to develop material organically at a rapid pace—often completing a new song each day. This process marked a notable shift from the more tense and experimental writing of their debut album, as Cornell's sobriety enabled a more focused and theme-driven approach, emphasizing cohesion and emotional depth across the record.

Recording and production

Studio sessions

The recording sessions for Out of Exile spanned from July 2004 to January 2005, allowing the band to develop their material following extensive touring in support of their debut album. These sessions primarily took place at Cello Studios and Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, with additional work at the Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research, also in Los Angeles.

Production team and techniques

The production of Audioslave's Out of Exile was led by renowned producer Rick Rubin, who co-produced the album alongside the band members, drawing on his signature approach to emphasize an organic, live-band aesthetic. Rubin, known for his work with acts like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Johnny Cash, guided the sessions to prioritize raw energy over polished perfection, resulting in a sound that captured the band's chemistry without excessive layering. Engineering duties were primarily handled by Brian Virtue, a collaborator of Rubin's who had previously worked on projects like Jane's Addiction's Strays, ensuring high-fidelity captures of the band's performances at studios including Cello Studios and Sunset Sound in Los Angeles. Mixing was entrusted to Brendan O'Brien, whose contributions lent the tracks a dynamic clarity and warmth, balancing the heavy instrumentation with Chris Cornell's soaring vocals. O'Brien, celebrated for his work on albums by and , refined the recordings to highlight the album's rock foundation while maintaining a sense of immediacy. Under Rubin's direction, the team employed techniques focused on minimal overdubs to preserve authenticity, opting instead for complete band takes recorded in a single room to harness the group's interplay and spontaneous energy. A key aspect of the production was 's emphasis on vocal clarity, allowing Cornell's expressive range to cut through the mix without reverb-heavy treatments, which amplified the emotional depth of tracks like "Be Yourself" and "Out of Exile." Additionally, played a pivotal role in streamlining the arrangements, taking the band's initial raw demos—often developed through daily collaborative writing sessions—and tightening them into concise, impactful structures that enhanced the album's cohesive flow.

Music and lyrics

Musical style

Out of Exile maintains a core infused with and elements, marking an evolution from the raw, aggressive edge of Audioslave's self-titled debut to more polished and melodic structures. This refinement allows the album to balance intense, riff-driven tracks with broader sonic palettes, incorporating alt-rock dynamics that enhance its anthemic quality. The result is a cohesive sound that fuses 1970s hard rock influences with 1990s alternative sensibilities, creating a mature progression in the band's style. Tom Morello's guitar work stands out through innovative effects, such as whammy bar manipulations and delay pedals, which build layered textures across the album. These techniques produce dazzling leads and keyboard-like sounds, as heard in tracks like "Drown Me Slowly" and "Yesterday to Tomorrow," adding visceral depth and a DJ-inspired flair to the foundation. Morello's approach evolves the debut's raw innovation into more integrated, melodic layers that support the album's overall polish. The rhythmic drive provided by bassist and drummer incorporates subtle and grooves, underpinning the album's energy with tight, professional precision. This foundation drives raunchy, groove-oriented songs like the title track, blending heft with rhythmic nuance reminiscent of influences. Their contributions ensure a dynamic pulse that propels both heavy sections and more introspective moments. Spanning 53:38 across 12 tracks, Out of Exile features dynamic shifts from heavy riffs in anthems like "Your Time Has Come" to acoustic-leaning ballads such as "Drown Me Slowly," showcasing the band's versatility within its hard rock framework. These variations highlight the 's balance of intensity and melody, contributing to its refined sonic identity.

Lyrical themes

The of Out of Exile center on themes of redemption, isolation, and self-discovery, reflecting Chris Cornell's personal journey through and emotional recovery. Cornell, who achieved in , reflected on his emotional recovery in the lyrics, which informed the introspective tone of many songs as he processed past addictions and personal lows. This newfound clarity allowed him to explore redemption as a process of emerging from self-imposed , symbolizing both literal struggles with and metaphorical isolation from his earlier career phases. The album's title track, "Out of Exile," exemplifies these motifs through imagery of an island-bound figure yearning for reconnection with loved ones and the mainland, representing a profound sense of personal and creative liberation after years of turmoil. Cornell drew inspiration from the anticipation of fatherhood and personal reconnection for the lyrics, as he later explained in interviews. This theme draws from his post-Soundgarden hiatus and integration into with ex-Rage Against the Machine members, evoking an emotional from familiar musical identities and the rock lifestyle's excesses. Cornell's poetic style on the album emphasizes intimate blended with broadly relatable appeals to resilience, deliberately avoiding the overt political commentary that defined Rage Against the Machine's output. Unlike Zack de la Rocha's activist-driven , Cornell focused on universal human experiences, prioritizing emotional authenticity over ideological statements. In "Be Yourself," these elements converge on self-discovery and authenticity, with Cornell drawing from his own history of trying to conform to others' expectations during personal crises, urging listeners to embrace their true selves even through repeated mistakes. The song underscores redemption as an ongoing commitment to genuineness amid isolation's temptations. "Doesn't Remind Me" further illustrates detachment from past traumas, portraying a seeking mundane distractions—like walking foreign streets or simple rituals—to evade painful memories and unhelpful consolations such as . This approach ties directly to Cornell's , highlighting recovery as a deliberate avoidance of triggers to foster . The lyrical introspection is amplified by the album's dynamic musical style, where heavy riffs underscore moments of emotional release.

Release and promotion

Album release

Out of Exile was released internationally on May 23, 2005, and in the United States on May 24, 2005, by Epic and . The album was issued in standard formats such as , vinyl LP, and digital download, with various regional pressings available through major retailers. Special editions included bonus content, such as the version featuring a live recording of "" as an additional track. The cover artwork, designed by Antony Nagelmann, depicts a solitary figure traversing a desolate , evoking the album's central themes of and . Initial marketing tie-ins encompassed radio premieres of lead tracks to heighten pre-release buzz ahead of the global rollout.

Singles

"Be Yourself" served as the from Out of Exile, released on February 2, 2005, to . The accompanying , directed by , was filmed in an abandoned hotel in and features , dreamlike of members wandering through desolate rooms and corridors. "Your Time Has Come" followed as a promotional single on May 3, 2005, aligning with the album's launch. The , directed by Steve Rees, captures live performance footage from Audioslave's historic 2005 concert in , —the first by an band since the 1959 —intercut with candid scenes of the group traveling, rehearsing, and interacting in urban Cuban settings. The third single, "Doesn't Remind Me," arrived on July 5, 2005, and earned a nomination for Best Performance at the in 2006. Its , directed by Chris Milk, depicts a young boy processing the loss of his soldier father through imaginative play and repression, emphasizing themes of and without featuring the band. "Out of Exile" was released as the fourth promotional single in 2005. The singles were issued in multiple formats, including maxi-singles, 7-inch vinyl, and promotional CDs with radio edits trimmed for airplay. B-sides on select releases featured live recordings, such as a version of "" from "Be Yourself," and remixes like the T-Ray version of "Show Me How to Live."

Touring and live performances

Promotional tours

To generate pre-release buzz for Out of Exile, staged a landmark free concert in , , on May 6, 2005, becoming the first U.S. rock band to perform there since the 1959 and drawing an estimated crowd of 70,000. This event, organized in collaboration with the U.S. State Department and local authorities, highlighted the band's international appeal and was captured for the Live in Cuba DVD released later that year, further amplifying media coverage. The campaign included high-profile TV and media appearances to reach a broad rock audience. Audioslave performed on the globally broadcast Live 8 concert in Berlin on July 2, 2005, as part of the Out of Exile promotional efforts, alongside sessions for at the and AOL's online-streamed Sessions @ AOL in August 2005, featuring live renditions of album tracks like "Out of Exile" and "Be Yourself." Initial tour strategies emphasized high-visibility global events before launching a North American arena tour in late September 2005, building on the Cuba and Live 8 momentum to sustain post-release engagement.

Notable live events

Audioslave's 2005 world tour in support of Out of Exile commenced on April 14 in , marking the band's first major outing following the album's completion and serving as a platform to showcase new material alongside established hits. The tour spanned initially, with subsequent legs across and a return to North American arenas in the fall, featuring supporting acts such as and on select dates to amplify the hard rock energy of the performances. One of the tour's most historic moments occurred on May 6, 2005, when performed a free outdoor concert at the Anti-Imperialist Plaza in , , drawing an estimated 70,000 attendees and becoming the first band to play in the country since the 1959 revolution. The event, approved by both U.S. President and Cuban President , was filmed and later released as the Live in Cuba DVD and album, capturing the band's set including debuts of Out of Exile tracks like "Be Yourself" and "Out of Exile" amid classics such as "." This performance not only highlighted the album's themes of redemption but also symbolized a rare cultural bridge amid U.S.- tensions. The European leg of the tour featured prominent festival appearances, where Audioslave debuted additional Out of Exile songs to enthusiastic crowds. At T in the Park in Kinross, Scotland, on July 9, the band delivered a high-energy set blending new cuts like "Your Time Has Come" with fan favorites, while their July 2 slot at the Live 8 benefit concert in Berlin's Tiergarten park included a medley of "Black Hole Sun" and "Like a Stone" followed by Rage Against the Machine's "Killing in the Name," underscoring the supergroup's activist roots. Other notable stops included Nova Rock in Austria and Hurricane Festival in Germany, where the band tested live arrangements of tracks such as "The Worm," contributing to the tour's momentum before the fall North American dates. Throughout the tour's approximately 94 shows, setlists heavily emphasized Out of Exile material, with songs like "Be Yourself" (played 77 times), "Out of Exile" (47 times), and (74 times) forming the core, often comprising over half the performance alongside staples from the debut album and covers from Cornell's era. This balance allowed the band to promote the new record while maintaining audience engagement, as evidenced by the consistent rotation of high-impact tracks that highlighted Tom Morello's innovative guitar effects and Cornell's soaring vocals.

Commercial performance

Chart positions

Out of Exile debuted at number one on the chart, marking Audioslave's first album to reach the top spot there, with its initial week propelled by strong opening sales. The album also achieved number-one debuts on the Canadian Albums Chart, the Norwegian Albums Chart (), and the New Zealand Albums Chart (RIANZ). It entered the top ten in several other markets, peaking at number five on the , number seven on the Australian Albums Chart (ARIA), and number six on the German Albums Chart (Offizielle Top 100). The album's chart longevity on the was notable, spending a total of 36 weeks on the ranking, with its position sustained in part by the successive releases of singles such as "Be Yourself" and "." In year-end tallies, Out of Exile ranked number 69 on the for 2005.
Chart (2005)Peak Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)7
(US)1
Canadian Albums ()1
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)6
New Zealand Albums (RIANZ)1
Norwegian Albums ()1
UK Albums (OCC)5

Sales and certifications

In the United States, Out of Exile was certified platinum by the on August 11, 2005, for shipments exceeding one million units. The album earned gold certification from the in the for sales of 100,000 copies. It received platinum certifications in Canada from (100,000 units), Australia from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for 70,000 units, and New Zealand from (RMNZ) for 15,000 units, with the New Zealand certification updated to platinum in 2024. As of recent estimates, the album has sold approximately 1.3 million copies worldwide. Following its initial commercial peak, sales declined in subsequent years, partly due to the band's disbandment in February 2007 amid internal conflicts.

Reception

Critical reception

Out of Exile received generally favorable reviews from music critics, earning a aggregate score of 67 out of 100 based on 17 reviews, indicating generally favorable reviews with notable strengths in vocal performance and band dynamics. Several publications highlighted Chris Cornell's commanding vocals and the improved cohesion among band members as key successes in this sophomore release. AllMusic's awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, praising the album as "lean, hard, strong, and memorable," and emphasizing how it demonstrated evolving into a genuine collaborative unit beyond their supergroup origins. Spin gave it a high 91 out of 100, commending the emotional depth in tracks like "Your Time Has Come," where Cornell's lyrics evoke profound introspection, and noting the band's tight interplay, with Tom Morello's guitar work complementing the rhythm section's grooves to create a unified rock sound reminiscent of classic eras. Critics also recognized the album's triumph over the anticipated , with many viewing it as a step forward in songwriting maturity and production polish. However, not all feedback was unanimous; some pointed to formulaic riffs and inconsistent pacing as shortcomings. rated it 70 out of 100, describing it as "easy to knock but hard to dismiss" for lacking a distinctive overarching identity despite strong individual moments. scored it lower at 58 out of 100, critiquing the repetitious song structures and uneven energy that occasionally diluted the album's impact.

Commercial and fan response

Fans responded positively to the album's translation of the band's live energy into studio recordings, with many appreciating how tracks like "The Worm" captured a raw, powerful intensity reminiscent of their performances. User reviews on highlighted this aspect, with one reviewer noting, "The raw energy translates so well from their live shows." While some fans debated the album's departure from the heavier, more aggressive styles of and —criticizing it for lacking their edge—overall reactions praised its increased accessibility and melodic approach, describing it as "easy to listen to yet still powerful." This balance contributed to broad appeal among rock audiences.

Album details

Track listing

All tracks are written by , , , and (as ). The standard edition contains the following 12 tracks, with a total runtime of 53:38.
No.TitleLength
1."Your Time Has Come"4:15
2."Out of Exile"4:51
3."Be Yourself"4:39
4.""4:15
5."Drown Me Slowly"3:53
6."Heaven's Dead"4:36
7."The Worm"3:57
8."Man or Animal"3:53
9."Yesterday to Tomorrow"4:33
10."Dandelion"4:38
11."#1 Zero"4:59
12."The Curse"5:09
Certain international and special editions include bonus tracks, such as a live version of "Like a Stone" (European tour version, 4:22) on the UK and Ireland release. The 20th anniversary IVC edition (2025) adds five bonus tracks making their vinyl debut, including "Super Stupid" (Funkadelic cover) and AOL Sessions versions of "Out of Exile," "Be Yourself," "Loud Love," and "Doesn't Remind Me."

Personnel

Audioslave consisted of on lead vocals, on guitar, on bass, and on drums for the recording of Out of Exile. The album was produced by and the band itself. Mixing was handled by Brendan O'Brien. Recording engineers included Brian Virtue, Jim Scott, and , with additional engineering by Billy Bowers and assistant engineers Jonny Polonsky, Jason Gossman, Dan Leffler, and Bill Mims. Mastering was performed by Stephen Marcussen at Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, California. No guest musicians appear on the album. The album was recorded at Cello Studios in Hollywood, ; Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research in , ; and Sunset Sound in , . For the artwork, art direction was by Robert Fisher, the album cover was created by Antony Nagelmann, and photography was provided by Ethan Russell and . Additional production coordination was managed by Lindsay Chase.

Legacy

Awards and nominations

Out of Exile did not win any major music awards, but it and its singles earned notable nominations and certifications. The single "Doesn't Remind Me" received a nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards in 2006. In recognition of its commercial success, Out of Exile was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting shipments of over one million copies in the United States.

Cultural impact and reappraisal

Out of Exile stands as Audioslave's commercial pinnacle, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 and achieving platinum certification, which solidified the supergroup's status in the mid-2000s rock landscape. This success provided a stable platform for frontman Chris Cornell following the band's 2007 disbandment, enabling him to channel the creative momentum into his solo endeavors, including the 2007 album Carry On. The album's fusion of Cornell's soaring vocals and emotive lyricism with Tom Morello's innovative guitar work, alongside the rhythm section from , exemplified a potent blend of 1990s ferocity and 1970s influences, shaping the alt-rock sound of the by bridging metal edges with accessible anthems. Audioslave's brief 2017 reunion performance at the Anti-Inauguration benefit in underscored the band's lasting resonance within its catalog even a after their split. In the 2020s, Out of Exile has undergone reappraisal through retrospectives that emphasize its themes of redemption and , particularly poignant after Cornell's 2017 suicide amid his long battle with . Songs like "Your Time Has Come" reflect Cornell's personal reflections on near-death experiences and lost peers such as and Andrew Wood, positioning the album as a testament to the hope instilled in him during a vulnerable period, as detailed in post-mortem analyses. Twentieth-anniversary pieces, including those marking the 2025 milestone, hail the record for its emotional depth and Cornell's raw vulnerability, reinforcing its place in discussions of his in rock. In 2025, reissued Out of Exile as a limited-edition double LP on "Silver Wave" colored vinyl through the Interscope Vinyl Collective series. A key cultural moment tied to the album was Audioslave's May 2005 concert in , —the first major U.S. rock band to perform there—drawing 70,000 fans and approved by , serving as a symbolic bridge in U.S.- relations during a time of diplomatic tension. This free outdoor show, promoting Out of Exile, highlighted music's role in fostering cross-cultural exchange and marked a historic milestone in American rock's global outreach.

References

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  28. https://www.musicradar.com/news/tom-morello-ive-been-accused-of-using-a-ton-of-effects-but-ive-used-the-same-four-pedals-for-the-last-30-years
  29. https://ultimateclassicrock.com/audioslave-out-of-exile/
  30. https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/get_out/return-of-audioslave-heralds-a-sober-mellower-mix/article_a7ad3633-eee1-5607-80ad-a048495d7695.html
  31. https://www.audiofemme.com/only-noise-audioslaves-doesnt-remind-me-is-my-sobriety-anthem/
  32. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/audioslave/out-of-exile
  33. https://www.sfgate.com/music/article/Audioslave-gets-political-at-Warfield-Cornell-2661392.php
  34. https://blabbermouth.net/news/audioslave-frontman-explains-lyrical-inspiration-for-be-yourself
  35. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/audioslave/doesnt-remind-me
  36. https://www.discogs.com/master/34065-Audioslave-Out-Of-Exile
  37. https://www.discogs.com/release/712489-Audioslave-Out-Of-Exile
  38. https://teefoxstore.com/product/audioslave-fall-tour-2005-shirt/
  39. https://www.allmusic.com/album/be-yourself-mw0000388360
  40. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7075462/
  41. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7075492/
  42. https://www.grammy.com/artists/audioslave/17624
  43. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7075450/
  44. https://www.discogs.com/release/35231293-Audioslave-Out-Of-Exile
  45. https://www.discogs.com/release/1274792-Audioslave-Be-Yourself
  46. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/audioslave/2005/siegessaule-berlin-germany-3cd918b.html
  47. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY_FQ9IWIa4
  48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9QcNmtED6g
  49. https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/20/audioslave-come-out-of-exile
  50. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/audioslave-readies-spring-north-american-tour-63615/
  51. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/audioslave-kicking-off-fall-tour-next-month-61719/
  52. https://havanatimes.org/features/audioslave-in-havana-the-concert-that-marked-a-generation/
  53. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/audioslave/2005/plaza-anti-imperialista-la-habana-cuba-3bd67c74.html
  54. https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/audioslave?page=3
  55. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/audioslave/2005/pannonia-fields-ii-nickelsdorf-austria-3dec5db.html
  56. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/audioslave/2005/eichenring-scheessel-germany-2bd96c56.html
  57. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/audioslave-3d68947.html?year=2005
  58. https://blabbermouth.net/news/audioslave-out-of-exile-certified-platinum
  59. https://www.therichest.com/celebnetworth/celeb/chris-cornell-net-worth/
  60. https://bestsellingalbums.org/album/3610
  61. http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=24412
  62. https://www.metacritic.com/music/out-of-exile/audioslave/critic-reviews
  63. https://www.spin.com/2005/07/audioslave-out-exile-interscopeepic/
  64. https://www.allmusic.com/album/out-of-exile-mw0000453313/user-reviews
  65. https://genius.com/albums/Audioslave/Out-of-exile
  66. https://interscope.com/products/audioslave-out-of-exile-ivc-edition
  67. https://genius.com/Audioslave-out-of-exile-lyrics
  68. https://www.classic-rock-covers.com/2021/03/audioslave-out-of-exile-2005.html
  69. https://chriscornell.com/history/audioslave/
  70. https://artistwaves.com/bandmates-reflect-on-chris-cornell-solo-years/
  71. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej/music-reads/features/audioslave-audioslave/13763434
  72. https://kentamplinvocalacademy.com/artists-bands/lead/audioslave/
  73. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/audioslave/2017/teragram-ballroom-los-angeles-ca-4bf88326.html
  74. https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-time-fidel-castro-gave-the-go-ahead-for-audioslaves-most-epic-gig-ever
  75. https://news.pollstar.com/2005/05/11/audioslave-rocks-cuba/
  76. https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/chris-cornell-recalls-2005-cuba-audioslave-concert-gives-advice-to-rolling-stones-7256255/
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