The first single from "Out Of Exile," is entitled "Be Yourself," and debuted at #1 on both the rock and alternative radio charts in the US. It went on to occupy the top spot at both formats for 4 weeks.
When Zack de la Rocha left Rage Against the Machine in October 2000, the band's future dynamic was obviously in question. Within months, rumour had it that ex Soundgarden front-man Chris Cornell would be replacing de la Rocha. (Soundgarden made five albums, toured the world, played in front of hundreds of thousands of people, and then decided to go their separate ways). Gossip fuelled truth, for Cornell joined the rest of Rage in the studio in May 2001. The mix was great and a musical bond was in the making. Cornell, Tim Commerford, Brad Wilk, and Tom Morello spent the next year writing and recording, and it appeared that a band would soon come to form.
By spring 2002, the four-some were no longer going by the Rage Against the Machine name and signed on for Ozzfest. The guys settled on Audioslave for the name of this new explosive super-group. Their first single "Cochise," (which is named for the great American Indian Chief, who died free and unconquered), debuted in September 2002 and did moderately well among radio.
Audioslave's Epic debut was released in November. This self-titled 2002 debut album has currently sold close to 5 million records worldwide.