Chris Cornell's New Revelations: He's Done With Audioslave

Ex-Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell can now also add ex-Audioslave singer to his resume. Cornell announced the departure in a media statement released on Thursday, in which he also took the liberty of reminding people about his impending sophomore solo release, Carry On. Citing the age-old excuse of "irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences," Cornell finally put to rest the months of rumours flying around about him fleeing the band. He maintains that the split was amicable and that he harbours no ill will against his former bandmates.

Speculation began circulating last fall when the band decided not to tour after the release of their third album, Revelations. Cornell told MTV News that he had been thinking about leaving the band since they finished recording that LP, and that the time apart from fellow Audioslave members Tom Morello (guitar), Tim Commerford (bass) and Brad Wilk (drums) made him realize how much he valued writing songs on his own. He commented that in order for him "to be satisfied, I think I need to be able to be on my own, in the long run."

The timing of the split makes sense, as the remaining Audioslave members will be part of the Rage Against The Machine reunion at the Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival in late April. Before the Coachella announcement was made, Morello played it close to the vest when asked about the Audioslave break-up rumours and wouldn't give a definitive answer on the band's status.

Cornell said that he expects an Audioslave best-of to be released along with some unreleased material at some point.

Cornell's Carry On is expected to hit stores on May 1 via Suretone/Interscope. The 14-track follow-up to 1999's Euphoria Morning was produced by Steve Lillywhite (Simple Minds, U2, Peter Gabriel). It will include "Safe And Sound," "Scar On the Sky," "Finally Forever," "Poison Eye," "No Such Thing," the James Bond Casino Royale theme "You Know My Name," and a cover of Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean."

Despite being the one who didn't want to tour in support of Revelations, according to Morello, Cornell said he's looking into recruiting a new band to back him in on "extensive" tour to promote Carry On.

The fickle singer doubts if a Soundgarden tour would ever take place, but said that one reunion show could be a possibility. What about a new album?

"I think it's possible, but I don't know what it would take to make me feel that," Cornell told Billboard.com.