Cornell's emancipation proclamation: 'slave no more

The future of Audioslave - which has looked pretty dubious for the last few weeks - has finally been smothered with Chris Cornell confirming he's out. Not that sort of out:

"Due to irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences, I am permanently leaving the band Audioslave. I wish the other three members nothing but the best in all of their future endeavors."

But why would you wish them luck if you disagree with their musical direction so much you can't stand to be in the same band as them?

Unhappiness in 'slavery?

It could be all over for Audioslave, as Tom Morello tells US radio the band is up in the air:

Morello said that Cornell did not want to tour in support of Audioslave's third studio album, 'Revelations', which came out last Fall. He gave no indication of whether the band would record or tour again.

Morello is busy pouring his energy into Nightwatchman, his poorly-named latest project.

Can they do that?

Either the RATM supergroup Audioslave is slumming it and playing Liverpool's Barfly, or else the band they bought the name from is continuing to use its old title - maybe they're allowed under the terms of the deal, but that would seem to have been a curious clause. Maybe they're relying on the Americans not being the litigious type?