Audioslave

Chris Cornell told MTV that his decision to leave Audioslave was rooted in his songwriting process. "It was clear to all of us we needed some time apart, and what that produces is anybody's guess. In my case, it produced a very prolific writing period, and getting back into writing songs on my own," he said.

"Audioslave was a very fresh collaboration because it was very much like a young band, where you all write together in a room. But my experience, in terms of songwriting and record-creating, is not like a 19-year-old guy in a Rock band. For me to be satisfied, I think I need to be able to be on my own, in the long run."

He also told Rolling Stone, "Bands work in a way where everyone at some point has to have a similar idea of how you do things. A band that makes records and tours is also as business. That's usually where a lot of disagreements come. It's four guys who are musicians and don't really know much about business, but are very passionate and have very specific ideas. In this case it was a collaboration that was very satisfying and we all had a great time. When I started I was already in the midst of a solo career. It didn't feel to me like this was ever a band I wanted to be in if there were going to be problems being in it. But we ran into this issue right away, even before the first record came out. Three albums into it, it started to seem like our interests weren't as conjoined anymore."

He also discussed his former bandmates, Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk, and their impending reunion as Rage Against The Machine. "I certainly don't have any animosity toward them, and I don't think anyone hates me," he told MTV. "And to be honest, I think those guys getting back and doing some Rage shows is great. I think one of the main reasons why I ever wanted a band like Audioslave was because of seeing Rage in 1996, and I thought they were one of the best live bands I had ever seen." However, he told Rolling Stone that the other members had not been informed in advance of his departure, and the press release was the first they'd hear of it.

Cornell said he would expect an Audioslave best-of disc to be released at some point, "because that's what labels do." And no, a Soundgarden reunion isn't in the cards either. "I haven't received any phone calls from anyone in Soundgarden about a reunion since we broke up, nor have I called anyone," he said. "We were happy with how it ended. There was no unfinished business."