Stomp, headbang and scream. Our savior has come. His name, rather their name is Audioslave.

It was just a coincidence that Our Lady Peace sang 'Superman's Dead' as the Seattle-based band Soundgarden broke up. It's ironic that Soundgarden front man Chris Cornell is back with remaining members of Rage Against the Machine to stomp out generic bands like the now Creed-esque Our Lady Peace.

That's right, Chris Cornell (vocals) has teamed up with Tom Morello (guitar), Tim Commerford (bass) and Brad Wilk (drums) to bring back good rock and roll. With Bob Rock's pop formula inundating air waves and the post-Strokes explosion lasting only a summer, our only hope for good music is left in the hands of Seattle.

Thanks to Dave Grohl bands Nirvana, Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age there has been some airplay. Pearl Jam has a new single and well-crafted album too. But it's Audioslave's self-titled debut that stands out. Why?

Soundgarden and RATM both split suddenly. Their fans were left in the dark. Everything 'Seattle' died around 1997. Poppier bands like U2 ('Sweetest Thing') and Everclear ('Father of Mine') instantly took over. Music regressed to a simpler power. Christian rock and cheesy Aerosmith ballads, not to mention the outbreak of the much-loathed Britney Spears and boy group phenomenon. Recently the Strokes, the Hives, the Vines, the White Stripes and a plethora of other great post-punk bands have made their way to stardom, but their two-minute rockers are only foreplay.

Cornell's rich vocals continue to outrange any living being (Alice in Chains' Layne Staley died in April). Add that to the thunderous guitar and bass combo of Morello and Commerford. The drums are outshined, but not weak. Wilk is conservative yet creative.

If you're looking for Soundgarden or RATM, you're not going to find a pure form of either. The opener 'Cochise' gives you the best of both worlds: Rage rhythm and Soundgarden screams. Cornell harmonizes, howls and even hums a little. The Cornell-driven 'I Am the Highway' is probably the closest Audioslave get to a ballad. 'Bring 'Em Back Alive' showcases the signature Morello guitar effects (note: nothing is synthesized).

Hard rockers like 'Gasoline,' 'Exploder,' 'Hypnotize' and 'Show Me How to Live' should give Tool a reason to book a worthy opening band. But with the power of their new album, Audioslave will more likely be headlining their tours. Heed the caution in 'Cochise:' 'You better understand / I won't hold your hand ' Go on and save yourself.'