Chris Cornell has ended months of speculation with the announcement that he has left Audioslave and will release a solo album in May. Cornell confirmed the news with a statement on Thursday, citing personal differences as the reason behind the split.

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

The announcement came just two weeks after Tom Morello, Brad Wilk and Tim Commerford confirmed they would reunite with Zack de la Rocha to play as Rage Against the Machine at this year’s Coachella festival in April.

The former Soundgarden vocalist joined Wilk, Commerford and Morello amid much hype late in 2000 and the four began recording material under the name Civilian. After a brief split early in 2002, the members re-formed as Audioslave and released their self-titled debut later that year.

Cornell also denied the split would prompt a Soundgarden reunion, explaining that nothing was on the cards. “I haven’t received any phone calls from anyone in Soundgarden about a reunion since we broke up, nor have I called anyone,” he said. “We were happy with how it ended. There was no unfinished business. Soundgarden wasn’t a band where we broke up and everyone was like, ‘I’m never fucking talking to you again’. It wasn’t like that. We’ve all talked to each other many times since then. It’s something we don’t feel we need to do.”

Thursday’s statement also confirmed details of Cornell’s upcoming solo album. Titled Carry On, the follow-up to 1999’s Euphoria Morning will be released in the United States on May 1. The album will include 14 tracks including You Know My Name, the title song for recent James Bond film Casino Royale.