"Revelations" is the third and final studio album by American rock supergroup Audioslave, released on September 4, 2006, internationally, and a day later in the United States through Epic Records and Interscope Records. The album showcased the band's signature blend of hard rock and alternative influences.
Chris Cornell left the band in February 2007, and the remaining members chose to disband Audioslave rather than seek a new vocalist. They decided to focus on a reunion of Rage Against the Machine, which further solidified their commitment to their earlier band.
According to guitarist Tom Morello, most of the 20 songs that Audioslave brought to the studio for Revelations had been written before the band’s most recent U.S. tour. This allowed them to "work out the kinks of some of these songs in front of a live audience." The album incorporates new influences from 1960s and '70s soul and funk, with Morello describing it as "Led Zeppelin meets Earth, Wind & Fire," and Chris Cornell noting his new "Seventies funk and R&B-flavor vocals." Themes of love, life, and loss are prevalent, with political activism emerging in tracks like "Wide Awake," which addresses Hurricane Katrina and George W. Bush.
During the recording process, producer Brendan O'Brien requested one more song to close the album, leading the band to write and record "Moth" the following day. This track became the last song Audioslave recorded together, featuring Cornell’s poignant line: "I won't fly around your fire anymore."
In promoting the album, Morello mentioned that Revelations was the first record where Cornell did not smoke, drink, or take drugs during the recording. Morello later clarified that Cornell had been sober for both Out of Exile and Revelations and had given up smoking prior to recording. He apologized for any confusion, acknowledging Cornell's courage in maintaining his health.
After completing the album, Audioslave went on hiatus. Cornell worked on "You Know My Name," the theme song for the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale, and Morello pursued solo work under the name The Nightwatchman. In July 2006, Cornell denied rumors of an impending breakup, stating he ignored such speculation. Despite this, the band did not tour behind Revelations. On February 15, 2007, Cornell officially announced his departure from Audioslave, citing "irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences." With the other members focusing on a Rage Against the Machine reunion and individual solo projects, Audioslave disbanded. Consequently, most songs from Revelations were never performed live by the band, except for "One and the Same," "Wide Awake," "Original Fire," and "Sound of a Gun," which were debuted live before the album's release.
