Artists: Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Tim C., Brad Wilk(Former members of RATM with Chris Cornell of Soundgarden)
Album: untitled demo recordings
File Under:  13 songs you shouldn't be able to hear yet.
As cool as:  Runnin' moonshine.
Grade: 8.75
 
I remember the day Soundgarden broke up.  It really put a damper on my day.  I remember the day Zach left Rage.  It was a bittersweet day.  I always liked Rage's music, but I was never a huge fan of Zach.  I respect him, and understand what he was trying to do, but he was just getting a little repetitive and making RATM's albums very predictable lyrically.  Then I remember the day that I heard Chris Cornell would be joining the remaining members of RATM to make an album.  I was stoked.  It's been about a year since those rumors started, and as we all know, the band ended even before it really began.  As it turns out, an album was recorded and is being readied for release sometime this fall.  However, as is becoming a regular occurrence in the digital age, the recordings were leaked online.  I've found them, and here's what I think:  this shit is pretty good.  The quality of the recordings is just short of album quality.  The sound is crisp and clear, but I think that there may be a bit of mixing and producing yet to be completed.  The music is a mixed bag of mostly good stuff.  There are only about 3 songs that would fit on a typical Rage album.  The political rants and heavy-handed style of Zach are replaced by Cornell's melodic growl, and I only recall one song that pertains to politics("We got the whip, we got the better bomb...").  Many of the songs start out in classic Rage style, and then blend seamlessly into melodic territory which Rage never explored.  Tom Morello has always been great at bringing the thunder, and his bottomless barrel of guitar tricks were the defining quality of Rage's music.  He hasn't abandoned his style, but it sounds like he has made a concerted effort to explore some new territory with Cornell's help.  There are a few songs that sound a bit awkward, but for the most part, the music is stunning.  The songs that really stand out are the slower ones.  There are some absolutely amazing blues-type songs on this album, and the harder edged songs won't disappoint.  My only complaint with this album is the lack of cooperation between Cornell and Morello on guitar.  I had visions of Cornell blasting out a riff with Morello playing some mind-blowing leads.  For the most part, it doesn't happen, but that may change by the time this album is officially released, as this is clearly a demo version of the songs.  Unfortunately, this album is a glimpse into what could have been, and I fear that they only barely scratched the surface of their potential as a band.
 
Mr. Pickles says:  "I'm pissed that Cornell quit this band, unless he quit to re-form Soundgarden...then I will send him flowers..."
 
Want a copy of the demo?  .