From the charred rubble of Rage Against the Machine and Soundgarden comes Audioslave, a super group of epic proportions. Playing to an appreciative crowd at a sold out show at the Eagles Ballroom on Friday, the group showed their distinct “rawk” pyrotechnics, and their laid back sensibilities.

When members from world-renowned acts come together, the final product seldom works as a cohesive unit. But Audioslave, with vocalist Chris Cornell of Soundgarden, and the remaining members of Rage Against the Machine (guitarist Tom Morello, bassist Tim Commerford, and drummer Brad Wilk), the rock world has been given a real treat: a band that combines the best parts of their prior existence, and new, fresh wrinkles.

Opening with the powerful “Your Time Has Come” from their newest album, “Out of Exile,” Audioslave took no prisoners. With a heavy but clean Jimi Hendrix-type tone, Morello showed why he is one of the last remaining guitar heroes.

A simple light show and backdrop suit the band just fine. These veterans do not need any fancy toys to impress. Powerful, but with the subtle stage set-up, Audioslave felt confident enough to connect with their musicianship alone.

While Commerford and Wilk supplied the steady, solid backbeat, Cornell and Morello took center stage. The guitarist is a true innovator, and with tunes such as “Show Me How to Live” and “Like a Stone,” Morello took full advantage of modern day guitar effects and old school, gritty riffs. A hit single from their self-titled debut album “Like a Stone” drew heavily from audience participation.

Presumably because they felt more confident as a band, Audioslave dusted off some classic Rage Against the Machine and Soundgarden numbers. “Rusty Cage” and “Spoonman” hearkened back to Seattle in the early 90s, and “Sleep Now in the Fire” was a Rage tune that sounded as intense as it ever has. Kudos to Audioslave for playing the favorites from their respective bands, but also making them sound “group-like.” This was not simply Cornell singing lead for Rage, nor was it Rage covering Soundgarden. These classics sounded as if Audioslave themselves recorded them.

Just as he did during his days fronting Soundgarden, Cornell gives off a rock star aura, but in a classy way. Not at all overwhelming, Cornell works the crowd flawlessly. He seems very comfortable in his setting, and has not lost a thing. Towards the end of the set, he showed his versatility by pulling out an acoustic guitar and leading a rendition of the Soundgarden hit, “Black Hole Sun.”

Opening band Seether played to a full crowd, but did not live up to the hype as an up and coming act. Sounding a lot like Nickelback, Seether did not have an identity. Their hit, “Broken,” features Evanesence singer Amy Lee. Hopefully, Seether can find their own voice and not depend on Lee and Nickelback for assistance.

The other opening band, 30 Seconds to Mars, features actor Jared Leto as lead singer. Appearing on the hit show “My So Called Life,” Leto played a musican named Jordan Catalano and was in a band called the Frozen Embryos. The Frozen Embryos received quite a bit of exposure, but apparently it was not meant to be. Leto’s new band apes the best of the Cure and A Perfect Circle, (and he strikes a resemblance to the lead heroin addict in “Requiem for a Dream.”)