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Live Review
by Adrian Stoic
18-1-2003
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| AudioSlave know how to knock the rock |
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Live: AudioSlave
Astoria, London
Friday, January 17, 2003
AudioSlave visit London for an arse-kicking show
When the Rage Against The Machine playing members were left high and dry after Zack de la Rocha decided to pursue some other musical avenues – the result is yet to be heard a couple of years down the time’s highway – the trio found themselves between a (proverbial) stone and a hard place. When it was announced they’d get together with the former Soundgarden throat, Chris Cornell, a glimmer of hope could be detected.
Then, some early demo-tapes were leaked on the ‘Net but the band appeared to have split up, due to managerial dispute. Then, some months later, all legal issues were resolved and the band got down to recording an album they co-produced with Rick Ruben. The self-titled opus showed two sides of the band and a certain clash of ideals: mysterious, oblique and internal angst versus agit-rock and mind-revolution of the RATM’s ilk.
It worked on the album and it was no surprise that the band encountered no problem to sell ½ million copies in a matter of weeks and earn a Gold dics. This is more than encouraging because HM LPs are not selling that well at the time. Just a few months back even Korn needed a number of months to reach the Platinum (1 million) status which they had no problem with the previous albums.
The combo of dual sensibilities work live even better: fusion of the cerebral with hard hitting rhythms, topped with the most inventive guitar playing of Tom Morello – above anyone handling six-stings over the past several years, is certainly something that you can’t ignore. From the storming opener of ‘Cochise’, to ‘Exploder’, ‘Hypnotize’ and more emo-loaded ‘I’m The Highway’, ‘The Last Remaining Light’… this is a journey into a decline and fall of the neo-Roman Empire.
If AudioSlave manage to remain together there will be no stopping them. But, there is a nagging feeling that their differences may not really work out: there is a political commitment of Tom Morello and the remaining RATM member and an inbred mysticism Cornell is so fond of.
We can only hope our pessimism is unfounded and they’ll continue to chronicle the erosion of freedom; not only American but also the global.
I wanted to start a revolution but got a parking ticket.
Adrian Stoic
18-1-2003
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