Check out this letter I sent to Chris Cornell and his management last week! Oh wait, I really didn’t send this, but I just might after hearing the news that I heard this week. So, read on.

Dear Chris,

After hearing the news that you are leaving Audioslave, I am sure most people who followed the band was upset with the news. I am sure most people were sad to see the news of the demise and had varying degrees of excitement with the news of your upcoming solo album. When hearing the news, I had one feeling through my head. That feeling? Pure Happiness!

It’s not that I dislike you, that’s completely not the case. I was always a huge fan of Soundgarden and was reasonably upset when the band broke up in 1997. I couldn’t even listen to your first solo album, as it was a cure for any sleep issues I might have had at that time. I was excited to hear the initial news of Audioslave, in the fact that you had joined forces with the rhythm section of Rage Against the Machine.

After a very solid first album, the quality of Audioslave’s material just fell off. Pounding rockers turned into moody ballads that seemed to go nowhere. By the time Revelations came out, I think most people knew that this was the beginning of the end. There was not to be a tour or much of any promotion for the record, which would have seemed like a troublesome thing.

But for me, I could see the wheels turning towards something far greater (and no, it’s not your second solo album). I could see the steam building for an eventual return of Rage Against the Machine. That’s right, a band that couldn’t stand each other upon it’s own demise in 2000 was primed to reunite; whether it be for just one show or for the next 10 years.

Do you see the wonderful thing you have created with your departure from Audioslave, Chris? Rage is set to reunite at the Coachella Festival in April, and this guy couldn’t be happier. That band would be stupid to just have a one-off date and not to reunite for a summer tour. With your departure, fans are given the glimmer of hope that Rage will rock arenas during this summer and fall. Whether or not it happens is another thing, but we have hope.

The world has become a crazy place in the time since Rage broke up, and I am wondering what seven years and mass world chaos has done to a band that devoted so much of their time rallying against injustices in the world through music. Sure, the Coachella show may be a money grab, but I am sure Rage will not go quietly through a show throughout going on some sort of rant. The guys of Rage that joined Audioslave never got to get that anger out in their time in Audioslave. But now they can, because you are moving on.

Any time I saw Audioslave in concert; I always wondered what this would be like if that show was a Rage/Soundgarden double bill. That would have been phenomenal! There was always something missing. But now, I am getting to see atleast one of those scenarios played out.

Which brings me back to you Chris. Don’t you think it’s time to realize that your destiny is not to release another solo album? From what I hear, this solo album sounds like it should be played during the season finale of Grey’s Anatomy, and we don’t need that. We don’t need another James Blunt or Daniel Powter running through our heads; especially with your background. What we need is for you to ditch the solo album idea, head back to Seattle, call Kim Thayil up, get Matt Cameron out of Pearl Jam, and get the band back together. My friend, that is destiny realized.

That’s right, Soundgarden needs to come back much like Rage is doing now. If it’s just for one summer or fall, it is what most of your fans want. Because the road that you’re going down now is one filled with screaming legions of soccer moms and their neutered husbands.

Believe me Chris, that’s something you don’t want.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Fan (a.k.a. Art "Hates You" Michalski)