Audioslave became the first American rock band to perform in Cuba since the United States placed the country under an embargo. The recently released DVD, “Audioslave: Live in Cuba,” directed by Lawrence Jordan, documents the band’s blistering, two-and-a-half hour set and its trip through the country in May 2005.

U.S. travel restrictions on Cuba have made it difficult for American rock bands to play in the communist country.

Still, the concert was approved by the Bush administration, belying the government’s desire to isolate Cuba from America. The show promoted interaction between Americans and Cubans through music, as many Cubans have easy access to American music, but not a live experience.

After receiving authorization from the Instituto Cubano de la Musica and the United States Treasury Department, Audioslave received clearance to play.

The quartet has previously involved political aspects in its music and music videos, such as a war documentary for the “Doesn’t Remind Me” music video. Guitarist Tom Morello, formerly of Rage Against the Machine, along with System of a Down’s Serj Tankian, lead a political activist organization called Axis of Justice.