Reviews (page 10 of 15)
Such great energy in this, killing in the name and bombtrack always slaps
When I was almost at the end (by that I mean track 8, ‘Fistful of Steel’), I was like: “Man, do I even like rock?”, “Am I enjoying this or nah?” It got me conflicted. Chile. I don’t mean that it’s shitty but I’m mid about it. it’s because I don’t listen to much rock though. And that has got me dirty, also because it’s pretty hard for me to handle long tracks. It makes me tired, cause every time I listen to a song, I follow them lyrics in Genius to understand the meaning. I put effort in it. And seeing that them are minimum 4 and a half minutes long, got me gasping. Though I like some tracks, I consider them a bit of standouts from the others, they are ‘Bullet In the Head’, ‘Wake Up’, ‘Freedom’ and ‘Township Rebellion’, I exclude ‘Killing in the Name’ cause it’s the most popular one and I consider that a standout on its own. Though for me it’s 4. I have to admit lyricism made me raise the rank of it, cause i think it’s hard to talk about so many deep meaning in an album, and in 1992 they did it. Even before other artists of our time did. It’s really brave of them.
I honestly really like this rap rock. I just got back into linkin park and rage was the precursor to that. The album cover also being so iconic and me not knowing much about it before a few months ago made this perfect to list to now! Nothing more to say enjoyable and influential
This is definitely more up my alley! Heavy beats, lots of different sounds and styles, and funky riffs. I knew Rage was political, but this was the first time I've listened to an album straight through and it was more "eat the rich" than I expected (totally ok with that). Good album to work out to.
I like the sentiment and for the reason it's a high score from me. However it isn't terribly original and the lyrics are a bit lame and repetitive but if that's what's needed to get through I guess the means justifies the end.
Good start, dies off toward the end
Probably over listened to so it's hard to go back with fresh ears. Marginally overrated imo, not one you can listen to day after day, but still a powerful, hard-hitting album. One of the few rap-rock combos that worked. 3.5*
I was first introduced to RATM from watching The Matrix a few years after this albums came out, and hearing "Wake Up" for the first time probably marked the beginning of my foray into this genre. Lots to like on here, and bonus points for one of the more affecting album covers I've seen.
Pretty much what I expected lyrically from what I already knew about this album. I really rate the concept and the use of music to spread this message. + points for sick band/record name and sick cover Having been gradually introduced to heavier sounds than I was used to through bands like the Hives, I found myself enjoying the sound of this music a lot more than I would have previously. I like it! It’s a little intense lyrically to just slap on casually though I feel.. Hightlights: - Bombtrack ! - Killing in the name - Bullet in the head - Know your enemy - Wake up
If all rap-metal was this sincerely angry and on-point, I wouldn't hate Red Hot Chili Peppers so much.
Bombastic, really fw this album
Iconic and whatnot. In this kind of became what the album and the band set out not to be.
rage's debut album makes a strong political statement right away the moment the listener presses play. fusing metal, rap, and a little bit of funk, this album is an ambitious contender in this list. anti-censorship, anti-authority, and straight up hardcore leftist. it has a wickedly hardcore sound, but the lyrics couldn't be anymore blunt. that's not to say i don't agree with what they're saying, it's just so unbelievably straightforward and vulgar in how it is said, which... makes it at times feel like a punk band from a liberal arts college. tom morello is a god.
yeag
Great mix of rap vocals and rock/metal instruments. Perfect for head banging along to, or vibing while performing other tasks.
It's angry, it's interesting and it ROCKS! Banger grooves!
Generally not a metal fan, but the energy here along with the rap style vocals and political statements make this a massively energetic and exhilarating album.
I knew I liked KITNO, but didn’t expect to enjoy the rest of the album as much as I did. Think it spoke to my menopausal rage 👍🏻
Woooo!! High energy with something to say. Masterful composition and grooves. Compelling stuff. Very few misses here.
I don’t know anymore if they are genuine revolutionaries or middle class wannabes. I know Zach de la Rocha’s father was a genuine revolutionary. But is it valid? I suspect it is. But the cynic in me suspects it’s less cred. Too many crappy bands of rich middle class kids botching killing in the name. That’s not ratm’s fault. They also need to swing a bit. 3.5
I was living in a share house in 1992 when this album came out. I had a terrible band with one of my housemates, Andy. "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me" was Andy's motto for living. He must have played Killing in the Name every damn day for a year, screaming along for effect. Twice a day. He loved that song. Which, you gotta admit, is a pretty great song if you're a left-leaning young man who enjoys music on the heavier side of things. The song was ubiquitous in all kinds of settings in 1992. I distinctly remember dancing to this in an industrial night club at 3am one Saturday night, and then hearing it again at the McDonalds when I went for breakfast on my way home at 6am on Sunday morning. It was a sign of the great alternative music crossover, about which I had mixed feelings. It was weird that a pretty abrasive and left political band were releasing records on a major label, getting lots of commercial radio airplay, and selling a bajillion records. Even a few years earlier, it would have been unthinkable. Rage Against the Machine's strengths were also its greatest weaknesses. Zach de la Rocha's vocals are forceful and politically aware (which makes a pleasant change from a lot of gangsta rap and nu-metal rappers, whose lyrics are non-stop violence and misogyny). RATM lyrics often read like the rantings of a first-year sociology student (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnZnnkJxoC8), but at least you don't feel morally compromised by just listening to it, even if it does feel like getting yelled at for an hour. The band is tight as a hipster's jeans, and they can swing like no other heavy band since Led Zeppelin, which is kind of awesome, but they don't really understand dynamics or songwriting. It is one killer, heavy, swinging riff after another, which is kind of awesome, but again, also a bit tiring. And I have this gripe about Tom Morello. I feel like he often confuses turning on a digital effect pedal for a proper solo. I think he is, bar none, the best heavy rhythm guitar player of his generation, but his soloing is not great. Together, though, the RATM band are the best heavy rhythm section around. I will secretly confess I really liked Audioslave, because Chris Cornell brought actual songs with light and shade, and the RATM band brought tight and swinging backing. There are a few killer tacks on this album, but, really, secretly, if you've heard one, you've heard their whole oeuvre. I really liked RATM when this album came out, but I bought the 12" of Killing in the Name, and I have never really felt the need to buy any other record by them. Actually, I tell a lie. My mate Peter has a 7" single of their cover of Fuck Tha Police on it. I'd _really_ like that record too, and then I'm done. 3.5 stars.
Righteous anger captured in a bottle, powerful stuff.
This album whips. Aside from Killing In The Name being overplayed to the point of absurdity (I never liked that one very much to begin with) this is consistently killer.
Elsker
3.5
Heavy. Love the feeling of the whole album.
This is such a great album. Track after track just really hits. Not a bad song on the album.
album legal gostei muito
Great album but too violent for me
Wouw!… This is cool and groovy RnR all the way!
Quite good
Visceral! American as fuck!!!
Arguably more important now than when it was recorded. Fantastic album.
Rage Against The Machine is great stuff, huge sound, angry, aggressive, impassioned, memorable and lasting riffs, thunderous bass driving the whole thing along, it's epic. The first seven tracks are outstanding, think it tails off slightly at the end, which probably stops it getting a 5, but it's the highest of 4s.
This is much better! Flies out of the traps very quickly (no gentle intro here!), Bombtrack and Killing In the Name are a really full on start, and it doesn't really let up at all. Tonnes of energy and emotion throughout, fades a little towards the end. Doesn't quite make a 5, it's a bit too cringey in places and has all the subtlety and nuance of a brick through a window, but it's easily a 4.
Hell yeah
I was expecting this to be a 3* album, since I've never liked "Killing in the name" that much, but "Bombtrack" is such a banger that made me immediately reconsider this. Easily one of the best opening tracks I've ever seen.
A lovely self titled debut that brought the fire and spark to the mainstream.
Goes hard asf in the gym
I've always liked the popular Rage songs, but not necessarily something I want to listen to front-to-back. Screaming "Bullet in your Head" for mintues on end isn't exactly calming. Still, good stuff.
Fantastic debut album. Lot's of energy, rocks very hard
A high 4 if not a 5, but I rarely give out 5s
Oh, man. This is a tough one. On the one hand, the genre-blending is a pretty darn great idea. Metal and rap? Badass - at least in theory. (Particularly for its time.) We see themes that are frequently covered in each of these "parent" genres, including anti-capitalism, police brutality, the broken education system, assassination of political figures, and corruption. There's a brutal, wild anger in the music that's very nearly unmatched. The instrument playing is almost too perfect for the mood RAtM is trying to convey. It's loud, disarming, terrifying. The guitar and bass, while playing the (great) riffs, are perfectly in sync, and I'm also a big fan of the ridiculously atonal guitar solos. (If they'd been contrasted with some coherent vocal melodies, I would've liked them even more.) The drumming is your classic metal crash bonanza. It's fast, energising, and fitting for the music. On the other hand, the singing (which is very much a centerpiece element) could use some improvement in a few ways. The vocals are mostly unmelodic screaming, with very few actual melodies to make the tracks singable or memorable. The songs then have to lean heavily on the riffs, which thankfully are much better. This isn't a deal-breaker for everyone, nor is it for me, but it's something that could be amended. In addition, the lyrics don't exactly mince words, getting directly to the point with each and every line: "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me" (x16) "See through the news and the views that twist reality / Enough, I call the bluff, fuck Manifest Destiny" "Networks at work keeping people calm / You know they murdered X / And tried to blame it on Islam" It's almost too in-your-face. And that's not really a fault of the band, who remains stoutly true to this revolutionary new genre. It's the fault of the genre itself. 4/5 Key tracks: Know Your Enemy, Wake Up, Bombtrack, Killing In The Name
Visste att detta skulle bli mycket bra. Det är till stor del tack vare Tom Morellos gitarrspelande och musiken i övrigt. Egentligen är det konstigt att det är bra, "sången" och texterna är egentligen rätt töntiga, om man tänker efter. Men det gör man inte, man går på känsla!
Great energy. Got a Christmas no 1 as well what more do you need to Zack de la Rocha
anal bum a day 4 alright the generator REALLY doesn't want us to give up this time Rage Against the Machine is one of those bands that is just so culturally significant that this HAD to be on the list. Politically charged funk metal band RATM releases one of the most iconic debut albums of all time on November 3, 1992, the day of the presidential election of Bill Clinton. This record is chock full of insanely catchy riffs and sarcastic writing. The energetic delivery of Rocha's vocals really sells the whole thing, and it's pretty hard to not yell along. FUCK man this album is fire. 8/10
Listening to this on the day of Trump’s attempted assassination hit different
Rage is probably the only nü metal band I can hang with. Super leftist lyrics, the palpable rage and unchanging US politics makes this still feel fresh.
A classic, high energy album that pumps you up to fight against the powers that be. The main issue really is that Rage Against the Machine are very much a part of the machine, especially these days with their exorbitant ticket prices. Regardless of that, they make some pretty good songs.
On this album, the combination of something aggressive like heavy metal, rhymes and the rhythm of rap sounds very good. the sound impact gives strength to the political content of the lyrics. the atmosphere is set to ignite the listener with rage. If that was the intention, they nailed it.
Kan jeg godt lide
A very strong rock record. I’m not the biggest fan of super hard rock, which I think this is, but this album is pretty undeniable. 4/5
Good stuff. I had never listened to this album in its entirety before. Turns out that when you mix metal and rap, the metal part can make up for much of the awkwardness brought by the rap part. 4/5
This album can only be considered a patronizing capitalist insult to those who are getting ground up by "the machine".
Honestly liked this a lot more than I expected. Kind of an intense listen so I'm not sure I'd come back it a lot, but glad I gave this a chance.
Lots of raw energy might take away from the quality of music. The songs themselves were pretty awesome, and the guitar especially was WICKED. But I can't get past the screaming vocals. Dude had a lot to say and I couldn't even understand it.
Despite all my rage, I am still just a ratm in a cage. #167, time to kill a darling. Or, poke it with a dull stick, at least. I was 18 when this came out and even as a German circa middle class cishet white teenager, boy, was I there for it! I still own two copies of this, somehow. Today, I've largely grown out of funk metal while I have absolutely not grown out of the album's sentiments. And here's a problem: "Rage Against The Machine" was my generation's protest music and here we are, 32 years later. Have we taken the power back yet, mommy? Shut up and jump, they'll tell you how high. Feels like listening to unkept promises.
Excellent album. Best tracks are Killing In The Name and Take The Power Back 4/5
Amazing, some tracks drag for too long but it won me over. Might listen to it again.
Fuck yeah
Pretty great top to bottom. Can’t ask for anything more from this genre.
Great soundtrack for working for the government
When I waited in line on Ticketmaster in February 2020, I wouldn't have ever thought that I would have funny tales about my experience with Rages Against the Machines but wow, I really like this album and I really like them. I saw most if not all of these songs live and there really is such an electricity that I didn't expect
Metal for rap lovers. High energy, fun to listen to, gets you pumped. You don't even need to listen to the lyrics to feel the message. Zack raps kind of like Chuck-D. Also, the album art is metal AF.
LOL I hella has Rage Against the Machine and 30 Seconds to Mars confused in my head for some reason (blasphemous, I know). This kicked ass. What an album to listen to as I drove to work on Monday morning. My angsty ass will be returning to this for sure.
It’s a banger, it was a banger when it was released and it’s aged incredibly well (or I’ve aged with it?)
It's truly a fun album to listen to, you don't have to "get into it", intellectualize your experience or replay the tracks several time to enjoy the ride. I feel like a teenager in a good way
I’ve heard a couple of these before, but first time listening all the way through. Nice hybrid of the rock/metal instrumentals and hiphop/shouted vocals, yet keeping things fairly simple and clean & well balanced. 4/5
Bello tosto, ma mi aspettavo un po' di più.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGHNHHHHHHHHHH FUCK EVERYONEEEEE AGGGHHHHGHHGHH
good, feels a bit childish from time to time
Punk/Rap/Rock/Insanity, nice combo. Killing is deservedly iconic. This hits on all bases for me. I love the simple straightforwardness. Wake up indeed.
Turns out I like politically charged hard rock activists.
So I have always been a fan of RATM. Thank you Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 for bringing Guerrilla Radio into my life. I mean how can you not listen to any of their music and not feel like running through a concrete wall. It’s incredible. Absolute icons. I thought I was going to give this a 5, but honestly the last three tracks were okay compared to some other absolute bangers. This being their debut album makes it all that much more impressive. Hell yeah RATM
Enjoyed this album, a classic
nice blend of rock/rap. aged pretty well too
Truly a masterpiece. Such a unique sound, especially for 1992, blending elements of metal and reggae. Plus the energy is through the roof. This is one thing I loved in my childhood that I love even more today ❤️
Good bit of raging.
FUCK. YEAH. Heavy bass, slammin drums and righteous idealism. I was surprised by how raw this album sounds 30 years later. So many good memories listening to this album as a youth. Wish I still had that energy, definitely makes me think about my choices as a corporate drone!
Always good to rage
Talk about nostalgia... I remember the first time I heard Freedom. It was late night, MTV, probably 1AM. I was 12 years old. That video shook me awake. I credit this album's lyrics with opening my eyes to the lies of government. It really kick started my skepticism and questioning of what we were taught in history class. Thankfully, I read some economics books and didn't turn into a communist. For the music, this was an interesting album. I hadn't heard anything like it. I loved the odd, jazzy guitar and hard-core breakdowns and groovy, rhythms. Zack's anger went well with the music. I stopped listening to them after Evil Empire. I guess they lost that feeling with me. Great album, though. One of the greats of the early 90's. Hard to pick a favorite. I like Wake Up the best, maybe..
I was supposed to listen to this almost a year and a half ago. I just forgot to circle back to it. I definitely wanted to listen to the album and its entirety, like I do with every other album here, despite already being familiar with some of these songs, because I had never listen to it completely before. But I already knew what listening to it was going to entail, and when I first encountered the album on this list, I didn't have the right time or place available to listen to something so...incendiary. So I set it aside and kept moving through the list. Then I realized recently that I still needed to give it a listen. Well, with infuriating recent current events and my perimenopause well underway, it felt like a great time to rage. And what better soundtrack for it. This album is rightfully a classic and unfortunately still plenty relevant. 4.5
Fuck yeah, this album is a classic. The coolest blend of metal and political hip hop. RATM definitely deserve to have this album on the list. Fav songs: - Bombtrack - Killing in the Name Of - Wake Up - Fistful of Steel
4/5. Unique guitar solos. Very angry. Rare fusion of rock and rap that worked.
Yesssss I just listened to this all the way through for the first time right before I moved to NYC. This album is banger central. "Killing in the Name" is obviously a classic, been listening to that one for forever. The slap bass on "Take the Power Back" is SO GOOD. "Bombtrack," "Know Your Enemy," "Wake Up," and "Freedom" also go hard af. Rage makes the perfect mix of metal/punk, funk, and hip-hop. Some songs here a little more meh than others however. Looks like I gave this a 7/10 on my IG. I need to fix that, it should be an 8 at least. The songs that I didn't save are still pretty good. It's sad that the issues they talk about this album are still relevant 30 years later, we clearly need more revolutionaries like them in pop culture.
This is one time I think this format hurt the album. Each song on their own is very powerful, evocative, and pointed. However, back to back it starts to turn into a slurry of anger and repeated imagery that can test a person's music endurance. I'm giving a 4. Each song on its own very 4/5 As an album a 3. Pick the protest mosh song for you.
I hope I get to rally around the Bradley really soon. Great album, loved it.
Honestly I skimmed the rest of this album after the first few songs. Still liked the sound a lot though. 4/5
If you are a neo-liberal, capitalist shill, you better be ready to have your titties slapped and balls kicked by the righteous rage and fury. This is an iconic album. You might not agree with the politics, but there is truth in the message that was undeniable at the time, and has (unfortunately) continued to have impact through today.
Much respect for these guys. Definite pioneers of the genre.
I thoroughly enjoyed this album, they do a great job Top tracks: Bombtrack, Killing In The Name
It's angry music
Rage Against the Machine is honestly somewhat hard to rate for me. It was groundbreaking. Still is in many ways. Very in your face, anti-establishment nu-metal. The instrumentals are absolutely top notch. Zach de la Rocha's vocals are unique and almost instantly identifiable. Now, 32 years on from its debut, I think culture needs this album more than ever. No, it's not always a pleasant listen. If you really listen to the lyrics, they're often very challenging. You're not going to get any ballad's or "beautiful" music, but everything on this album is done with absolute excellence. It's a bit of a transcendent experience every listen.
Unfortunately, still just as relevant today.
Interesting. Youtube music had a disclaimer that this album has themes associated with suicide and I had to agree to the terms before I could listen to the album. It's certainly a powerful album. Very dark subject, but a powerful album.
Favourite: Killing In the Name
Angry but in a good way. They aren't constantly screaming and the guitar and drums make sense and aren't just loud to be loud. I really love Rage and their music. It is deep, meaningful and important. They take a look at deep issues in a musical genre that does not traditionally focus on these ideals.
It's rock'n. I'm old. My rage has turned to a seething frustration. I'm about a 3.5 with this but bonus points for being rebels with a cause.
Super familiar with this album, my oldest brother was a big fan. I've seen Tom Morello's side project, the Nightwatchman, live as well. There is a definite formula here, the band finds a big riff and Zach finds a sufficiently potent line and they repeat the line and riff with increasing fierceness until its time for the next one. It mostly works (Killing in the Name, legendary) but on some songs it gets a little boring, either the line isn't the skewering refrain the riff deserves or the riff falls flat on the 17th replay. The sound is definitely more developed on Evil Empire, "Bulls on Parade" started up right after the last song from self-titled and it hit so right. Either way, badass group, love when right wing authoritarian ding-dongs don't realize that they are the Machine against which we Rage, no one says "UHHNNNN" like Zach De La Rocha.
Great but too ragey after a while lol
Harsh and I could see why someone might not like it but I still like it after hearing it to the first time years ago
Very similar to Soulfly.
A lot of power, anguish and angst. I hadnt heard this album in a while, so I’m glad it popped up on this list. Dope album.
A must have Album
Started incredibly strong but tapered off towards the end. Not a big fan of "Freedom" which seems against consensus Favorite Tracks - Wake Up, Killing in the Name, Bombtrack
This album jams. A little too metal/grunge for me in certain spots but overall very solid. I always used to confuse Rage Against The Machine with Cage The Elephant for some reason. Drastically different.
I still find it hard to believe that even in 2024 people get surprised by what machine is being raged against. From their debut album they’ve been pretty clear about their stance and outlook on the world. The power to the people lyrics are incredible, but even if you took them away you’d still have an album that goes so damn hard. I really enjoyed getting to rock out to this one today.
An album for when you wake up in the morning and want to scream fuck you to the world! This is also the only album that I've ever had YouTube Music pop up an additional window stating viewer discretion is advised and required you to press confirm. Just another machine that I need to rage against! They love to repeat phrases at the end of every song: Bombtrack - "Burn, burn, yes, you're gonna burn" 16 times Killing in the Name - "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me" 16 times Take the Power Back - "No more lies" 8 times Settle for Nothing - "If we don't take action now, we settle for nothing later" 8 times (with slight variation) Bullet in the Head - "A bullet in ya head" 15 times Know Your Enemy - "All of which are American dreams" 8 times Wake Up - "Wake Up!" 8 times Fistful of Steel - (It doesn't really happen in this one) Township Rebellion - "Why stand on a silent platform? Fight the war, fuck the norm" 4 times Freedom - "Freedom yeah" 7 times Awesome album especially for when it came out! Not perfect, or something I would listen to everyday, but there will definitely be times when I need to put this on.
nice energy
Not my favorite of the group but still a favorite group. I feel like I wish I liked Rage Against the Machine more than I do even though I still like them, but anyway good album
Feels like an ungrounded microphone, the kind that shocks your lips.
I feel the power and anger from this album. Killing in the Name is just a classic song of that 90s period. I also enjoyed the bass and guitar parts. Fire album
Delicately loud and thoroughly enjoyable. I missed this band years back and just 2-3 years ago gave them a listen and found I dug the sound, lyrics and drive.
Hard hitting and bringing funk-rock beats with a mix of rap that makes a unique and enjoyable sound
Ég hef ekki lagt það í vana minn að hlusta mikið á Rage Against the Machine og vanalega ekki talið það til míns tónlistarsmekks en ég kemst samt ekki hjá því að komast í algjöran fíling þegar ég hlusta á þau og mér finnst gítarinn hjá Tom Morello bara frábær. Ég held ég hlusti líklega á þessa plötu aftur næst þegar ég er reiður. Fínasti gripur.
4.5 Stars. So close. Definitely in my regular rotation.
classic! still very lyrically relevant. also one of the hardest album covers ever. 4.5
If we’re talking about a pure dose of influence and impact, then Rage Against the Machine’s debut was a guérilla operation. They snuck up on us and dropped a noisy, rocking, message-filled album. “Killing in the Name” stands out, repeating its defiance like a mantra. Talk about moving the needle and making your mark—in terms of the notorious and clunky genre Rap-Metal, Rage stood heads and shoulders above the rest because of the guitar work and the political-social commentary. They still strike hard, their impact hardly lessened by the decades. They took over the mantle of Only Band that Matters for a new generation of listeners; I’m not sure any group since has ever reclaimed the title from them. Maybe a Radiohead. But Radiohead never made you want to run out of your suburban home and join the Revolution.
This album is still fresh, which is pretty impressive given a description of 'funk metal'. Probably a 4.5.
Great album, when this came out I was a child and thought it was a bit silly, but love it now as an adult!
FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME MOTHERFUCKER Highlights: Bombtrack, Killing In the Name, Bullet In the Head, Know Your Enemy, Wake Up, Fistful of Steel
Se m'ha fet una mica llarg al final però els primers 3/4 de l'àlbum m'han semblat impressionants, especialment killing in the name of Expected Lorenzo rating: 3
Iconic album
na
It's such a fun album
keine demo ohne bratwurst und zack de la rocha für den pathos und die eier, frei nach audio88. hätte es den auftritt von limp bizkit beim woodstock '99 jemals ohne diese platte geben können? ich denke nicht, aber was beide unterscheidet sind offensichtlich finesse und der politische anspruch, den ich hier ausnahmsweise abkaufe. blieb mir die band bislang eher wegen der berühtem singles und als smiley-kürzel aus diversen foren in erinnerung, find ich das rezept auf albumlänge sehr gut.
Some good stuff. 3.5.
yeah goes pretty tbf. some skips perhaps
Good, some weird parts
A great and inventive band with an important message. Dislike Zach’s voice. They are kind of full of themselves and 52 minutes feels like 20 minutes too long for this kind of music.
Fav album so far
Its a great album, but to there isn’t really a standout moment where its THAT good. But there isn’t a moment where it’s bad as well. Every instrument hits as hard as a rock, and the vocals are obnoxious but kinda charming.
Hits hard
Wake up
Angry singing with monotone guitar, but quite good. Stand-out: Bullet In the Head
A good listen, can see why it’s so highly rated. Would listen again
Final Score - 81
I'm raging!
Before listening: This will be interesting. I like only a few songs from RATM but it's a band I've always wanted to listen to more. After listening: Loved it! Very good album. Each song kinda sounds the same though which can be said for a lot of bands but nevertheless I really liked this one.
a bold-faced political statement. i thought the first handful of songs were fun and aggressive. not really totally my cup of tea, but i was on board with what they were cooking. for me, sustaining this for the entirety of a 53 minute long album was a bit much. i like what they were going for and i think it works, i just think that it ends up being a little bit too much and too same-y for me. after a certain point, it does feel a little bit like, "yeah, we get it" that being said, i still think the messages on this album are still relevant today and i did enjoy myself a decent amount.
Great.
I like ratm so I was happy to listen to this. So glad we actually had an album that I didn’t have to struggle through
I have no real way to explain this but it feels a bit like music a dad would listen to, and in this way it is not for me BUT I do like the different sounds they use. I think its like, the solos, the repetition in the chorus is sometimes a bit much for me like it feels like it comes back like and takes like 3 mins of the song itself half the time, I think that's what makes it feel dad-like and that I'm not into per se Uhh like 4.5 bc of that but still obviously this is cool for being what it is and I think the lead guitar and vocalist have been vocally pro-palestine which is sick Leonard Peltier is still in prison also iirc
Een classic. Allereerst heeft dit album een van de meest indrukwekkende en tekenende hoezen ooit. Het eerste nummer 'Bombtrack' laat namelijk gelijk zien wat je kan verwachten: stompende drums, de bas en gitaar die unisono op het eerste oog lijkende, simpele melodieën spelen, en een boze meneer die eroverheen schreeuwt over het onrecht in de wereld. Alhoewel het op het eerste oog lijkt op makkelijke muziek, is dit dat niet. In het tweede nummer 'Killing in the name' (het absolute anthem van mijn middelbare schooltijd) wordt al snel duidelijk dat de band niet alleen boos is maar ook muzikaal. Die boosheid neemt echter wel de overtoon en laat mij als geprivilegieerde witte man voelen alsof míj het onrecht is aangedaan waar de zanger het alsmaar over heeft. Hij zal nog steeds wel boos zijn aangezien de problematiek die hij aanhaalt vooralsnog speelt in de volgens hem zo kwade wereld. Dit maakt het album echter wel tijdloos. Zelfs 22 jaar na uitkomst luistert het nog goed weg. 2 uur kan mijn tiktokbrein echter niet meer aan. Al met al een goed album dat me boos maakt, maar wel de goede soort boos.
I wished the frat boys that listened to this... actually listened to this
Highway Star and Smoke on the Water are classics, Space Trucker
Listened to this a ton when it was new. Some great tracks, but not quite 5 stars for me.
The funk rock of Red Hot chili peppers with Public Enemy-like anger in their lyrics. Totally missed this the first time around but will be listening to this more. Killing In The Name, Bullet In The Head, and Wake Up are my favorites.
Super iconic sound. Definitely a vibe and how much you will enjoy the music will greatly depend on your state of mind at the time. I think I prefer their other album so giving it a 4 but you always know a Rage song.
I was surprised to find out that there were quite a lot of familiar songs in this album, and the rest pretty much sounded the same.
Solid 4. I usually only listen to the track “Killing in the Name Of” but it’s a good album overall.
Definitely a classic album, easily my favorite Rage album.
I wasn't paying attention and accidentally listened to a YouTube rip of the album plus the four extra songs on a bonus disc from the 1995 australian cd re-release. So i was prepared to come here and talk about how much i liked "Year of the Boomerang" but oh well. really like a lot of the guitar and bass work, tempo changes. it felt long, but i had four extra songs. would have been ok with 00:52, but 01:15 was a lot. 3.5 rounded up to 4.
I preferred the music over than the guy’s voice but it wasn’t bad More politics than I expected but honestly I should have known with a band name like rage against the machine
Makes me wanna break some stuff
This is some solid hard protest metal. I dig it.
respect the hell out of the message but its very unlikely that i’ll relisten to this lol. just not my preferred genre
Great album
god rage is so fucking good im gonna be cranking this down the mountain this weekend. FUCK U I WONT DO WHAT YA TELL ME
The lyrics are so repetitive that listening to a song once is like listening to it 10 times. So at this point I'm pretty sick of most the songs on this album. But also it f'n rocks and when it works it works really well. I'd rather not listen to the whole album at once though.
Rage goes hard, so ahead of their time. Zach's got seriously incendiary lyrics - "Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses." Social consciousness taken to its logical conclusion - violent revolution. Great band, evergreen album. RATM is the soundtrack to the future. 4.4
Great stuff but it feels like getting punched in the face over and over. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good face punch, but wow. Every single song. Bam. Right in the kisser.
never heard anything of this guys, but i know they hate machines
Almost unbelievably on-the-nose prescience. Maybe it took a few of the rest of us 20+ years to truly catch up. And I guess most still haven't. A classic.
Standouts: "Bombtrack," "Killing in the Name" Lyrics/Vocals- 5/5 Instrumentals- 5/5 Vibes- 3/5 Overall- 4/5 I did enjoy this album pretty well as I am a fan of RATM. However, something that really stood out to me, having never listened to a full album before, is how similar all of their songs sound. Obviously the songs aren't all the same, but they were all so similar they kind of blended together, which did detract from the album a bit. However, the lyrics were powerful, along with their delivery and just sheer anger/angst. The instrumentals were amazing with the bass lines sticking out most to me. RATM has a very unique sound, and I am not shocked they're on this album. This isn't an album you turn on to relax, it's an album you turn on to get mad. All in all a great album.
Raw passion and aggression, along with complex progressive ideals, disguised by such instrumentation and conviction as to fool an entire generation of right-wings that this music is made for their conservative ideals. When, to the contrary, these boys could be no less differently oriented. That plus the scream and Tom Morello magic makes this a killer album. MUTHA FUCKA! Oooohhhhaaa!
Great stuff.
Coldplay. I'm guessing if I were to look at the reviews people are going to hate on them because it is cool to hate on Coldplay. Their earlier stuff like Rush of Blood to the Head are good. I don't care that the popular opinion is to talk shit about them. I enjoy their music. There are several stand out songs on this album: In My Place, God Put a Smile Upon Your Face, The Scientist, Clocks, Green Eyes. So yeah this is good listening and all of the "cool" haters can eat my shit. 4 out of 5.
RATM has always been a band I acknowledge as great, but I could never click with their albums. Listening to this on a more focused level got me a lot closer than previous spins.
I put this on thinking I might find it juvenile now but it’s really good rock music. Tom Morello is an amazing guitarist and the themes are still pretty spot on
I love Killing in the Name (obviously) but was unprepared for the screaming so early in the morning. Will revisit whe. The mood is right
yeah - da ist man gleich nochmals 20!
Fun! Intense.
4.5
I might have my thumb on the scale given how formative this album was to be in the 90s. RATM helped expose hip hop to me, a suburban white kid, who really only related to their anger. Underneath that you've got a heavy groove rock band and this album is on par with some of the best stomp grooves that we heard from Zeppelin. Vocals always left something to be desired but ZdlR was famously described as "rapping like Bob Dylan sang" implying the quality of his lyrics and delivery way outshined his vocal capabilities. This record also showcases RATM at their most primitive, less synthetic noodling and more traditional guitar play from Morello, simpler song structure and delivery. The downside to this album are likely in kicking off a much maligned nu-metal genre and thoroughly confusing Republicans on what machine they were raging against. I would accept this as a 3.5 star up to a 4.5 star album in most conversations so landing it at 4 makes the most sense to me.
One of the greats. Multiple 5 star tracks. Killing in the Name, Bullet in the Head, Know your Enemy...
This review thing is messed up. It is putting my review from the wrong album onto this page. Weak sauce.
****
This album rips start to finish. Starting with "Bombtrack" a palm-muted guitar kicks off the album opener, a more technical and faster feeling riff than the part to follow, it builds and builds and then "boom," the whole band comes in for the first verse with a nassssty jump riff, a hair slower feeling than the intro guitar riff but it goes a whole lot harder, epic intro to the album. In the first track we can hear some effects used on the vocals that can be heard here and there throughout the album, doubled up vocal tracks, delay, even some calls and responses with singer doing both parts. My favorite vocal performance on the album is actually during the outro of the final track "Freedom", where Zack de la Rocha goes full on metal fry-screaming/yelling. The whole album has dope riffs, dope tone, and the solo sounds, sheeeeeeeesh. Never really clicked before but some of the solo sounds and tones remind me of a theremin. One of my favorite instrumental sections of the album is after the bridge of "Know Your Enemy" where the bass, with some sludgy grit, takes on the the verse riff alone while the guitar emulates police sirens "woops." Least favorite section of instruments on the album is the guitar solo on "Township Rebellion" felt experimental but out of place. The songs that felt like they had the heaviest rap or hip-hop influences on the instruments were "Fistful of Steel" which is majorly lead by bass on the verses, and the verses of "Township Rebellion" also have a hip-hop vibe featuring a cow-bell heavy beat. Funkiest vibed songs were "Know Your Enemy" and "Bullet In the Head". Doomiest track was "Settle for Nothing," loved the vocal performance on this track, also Phishiest guitar solo. Playlist Worthy: "Bombtrack", "Settle for Nothing", & "Freedom" Doomiest Track: "Settle for Nothing" Least Favorite Track: "Township Rebellion" Dopest Moment on the Record: Sludgy bass on the verse riff with guitar "woop, woops" on "Know Your Enemy" or the vocals during the outro of "Freedom" at 4:40.
radicalized me on the way to work. ready to burn things to the ground.
Sadly these lyrics will be relevant until the American Empire sinks into the sea. Until then, RATM rules.
I liked this way more than I was expecting to. In fact I listened to the album twice. It was great for a spin workout. 7.5/10
Respect. Enjoyed but could not listen every day. Anger well presented.
enjoyed all the intrumentals, not so much on lyrics, but overall very good
Killer baselines and sound in general, but sometimes too political for my taste
4/5
Wow…
Briljant vond ik dit toen een klasgenoot begin jaren 90 hiermee aan kwam zetten en eigenlijk heb ik 't daarna helemaal kapot gedraaid, vandaar dat ik op 4 sterren blijf steken, maar eigenlijk zouden het er 5 moeten zijn.
Classic! Period!
Op Killing in The Febo na (die is echt compleet doodgedraaid) is het toch wel een heel tof album om weer helemaal te draaien. Wat een bevlieging zit er in die vocalen.
Hypes up
Deffo heat
I remembered every song on this album, which is strange given I never owned this album. So much intensity, so much heartbreak. Really powerful stuff
А-ху-ен-но! Но не "выброс", как мы выяснили. Хотя очень хотелось пятёрку бахнуть, но это прям шушуть не дотягивает.
морело разъеб, энергия разъеб, приколы с эффектами разъеб, но я бы посмотрел на них, где они сдались и начали юзать семплы и синты, это было бы 5 жб. 4, ибо примерно уровень дед кеннедис для меня, где-то пизже, где-то хуже, но я им почему-то 4 поставил, так бы подумал 45
People in the 60's were looking for something hard, out came Led Zepplin, Black Sabath, etc. Now fast forward to the 90's and 00's and we are still looking for something new and still hard... out comes Rage. It's not for everyone but for those looking for something HARD you have found it.
Don't think I quite get this but it sounded very angry: I can commend this for the amount of emotion put through in the LP. Strong lyrics, a bit loud at times but nothing to hate especially when paired with the backing it had. Decent but I will let it cook before I give it a five.
An excellent album!
Strangely, I’ve never listened to this album in its entirety though of course I’ve heard many of the tracks in the early nineties and throughout my angsty teenage years. This morning it helped me tackle a brutal hill session in the freezing cold rain and I couldn’t think of a better soundtrack 🤘🏼
I really enjoyed the album. There are some absolute hits on the album. The start of the album is very strong but it does tail off towards the end. I would listen to the beginning of the album again.
Pretty rageful.
Full of great guitar and bass riffs, but somewhat disjointed with the slew of rhythm and melody changes in too many songs as well as Tommy Morello's blips and bleeps (innovative as they were). Zack's angry polemic and shouting gets a bit too much, but that was the point of course! Does what exactly what they set out to do, educate, enrage and liven up we 80s/90s kids. It's really a 3.5, but I'll round up here because it's an important and popular album.
The lyrics are still important in these songs, despite my taste in music changing since the album’s release.
Banger album, such high energy
Champagne communists but they know how to bang a track out
rage against the machaine
Wild album. Full of energy and purpose. Loved the unusual song structures.
There is no way to say it anymore clearly, but I am diametrically opposed to most anything politically these guys stand for. That comes with a giant “however“. They blew up the metal/rap genre! There songs, all have a powerful, drive and flow. Extremely talented musicians. I have grown to really enjoy their work. High marks.
I imagine RATM superfans liken themselves to counter culture badasses who will riot on site, but were more likely the teens whose rebellious act was whispering the cuss words ln this album.
Here I am. 13 years old. Writing an angst ridden blog and blasting this album. Making a difference in this world.
This album got me through some emotionally trying times.
this one takes me back. I was a teen when it came out, so didn't really understand their message on anything but a superficial level, but definitely felt it.
***Listens to the first 2 songs*** Wants to run through a brick wall
Some real bangers in the first half but peters out in the second half in my opinion. first half is crazy strong so probably still a 4. Iconic cover too.
Fantastic rap metal. Pretty much the pinnacle of that genre
I don’t know if there’s a single artist whose name more accurately sums them up than Rage Against The Machine. With every song, they reaffirm their moniker. The songs are deeply political and viscerally angry. I appreciate the guitar writing—the album is full of heavy riffs and interesting effects. The solo on “Killing in the Name” is amazing. Having said all that, I found the rap-metal a bit wearisome over the course of the album, just yearning for some sort of melody in the vocals. And it’s a bit more angry than I typically feel inclined to listen to. So while I cannot deny that it’s an excellent album, I also don’t want to listen to it again. As such, it earns a solid 4/5, taking into consideration my own preferences, although it would certainly be worthy of a 5/5 from reviewers more amenable to this style.
Great album - very loud for my soul, but damn good band
Still one of the most rockin' albums ever
My first delve into Rage was a pleasant surprise! Listened while at the gym for peak angry white boy immersion. Very consistent, riffs are surprisingly groovy. Good bass tone and great bass parts overall, more funk inspiration than I expected. I was promised weird guitars and I got them, shoutout Tom Morello. Lyrics vary greatly from shockingly intelligent to heavy handed and repetitive, but are never a major detriment of the song. Do not much care for Zach de la Rocha’s vocals but I can’t imagine anything else fitting better with their sound. Killing in the Name is a slightly overrated song. Good payoff but verses have too much repetition. Best song: Take the Power Back or Settle for Nothing Worst song: Fistful of Steel - siren sound in verses is a bit grating and it drags a bit. Very solid 4/5 - Will revisit.
I came into this album hesitantly because I am a huge rap fan and I enjoy my fair share of metal. Because of that I sorta hate rap metal because it is often just a worse version of the two genres. The hope that I did have was the fact that I was always told in real life and on the internet that Rage was always one of the few good "rap metal" bands alongside SOAD and Faith No More and I liked some SOAD singles and the Faith No More album I was recommended from this list. The only Rage song I had only ever heard "Bulls On Parade" (and maybe "Killing In The Name") and I liked that but I never looked into their catalogue. This album definitely surpassed my low bar of expectations because it is one of the best metal albums I have ever heard. I was surprised by how good the instrumentation was throughout this album the guitarwork and drumming surprisingly was great and can definitely stand up to most other great metal albums. I also am a little confused because people call Rage rap metal but I don't really see it. When I listen to Faith No More or Linkin' Park they actually rap and have rap verses which imo is often the worst part of some of their songs. Rage is similar to SOAD in that way. I see some of the rap inspirations but I would not call either band rap metal imo because they don't actually rap; to me it is closer to spoken word than rap. This is not to disparage the bands by any means as I think they are both great; I just find it as a complete mischaracterization of their music and in reality I think it is more fitting to just label them as alternative metal bands that are inspired by rap. I actually think that it makes their music better because as it turns out it is not easy to be a good rapper and 99.9% (if not more) of rap metal bands don't have good rappers and it ruins their otherwise solid songs. Nevertheless this album despite my criticism of the misclassification is really great. I think it is one of the best metal albums I have heard from a writing standpoint but the one standout quality of this album is the guitar more than anything. Both lead and bass were absolutely stealing the show in some of these songs. I had heard from some friends who play guitar that Tom Morello is one of the greats but I did not expect this level of innovation and general creativity. His lead was the part on every song that I kept being sucked into. Definitely one of the best guitar performances album-wise I have ever heard. In all honesty I think the weakest part of the album was probably Zack's vocals (that is relatively because he still is great just the others are better at their part imo). I really respect his writing and lyricism but I don't think he has particularly outstanding vocal performances throughout the album. He does provide great loud, punchy vocals that marry well with the rest of the track but I found his vocals sort of disappeared into the instrumentation at times. The bass and drums are both played to some of the highest levels I have heard in metal. Tim and Brad really are the backbone of a lot of these tracks while Tom and Zack provide the ear candy. I do however have two criticism, for this album, besides me thinking that Zack was good not great. First, some of these tracks do drag on a little bit to long like "Township Rebellion" and "Freedom". Secondly, they do suffer slightly from the fact that some of the weaker tracks on the album do sound a little bit repetitive in their sound. This is not really that big an issue but big enough that it can be pointed out. Also the aforementioned, "Township Rebellion", has by far the most obnoxious chorus on the album. I like it but it is repeated way to many times, especially at the end of the song. Also I am still not a fan of screaming in my music and there was a surprising lack of screaming on this album. I was expecting a lot more because I had heard they screamed a lot in their music but it was either not super apparent and it fit into the track well or there was not a ton of screaming. All this being said this is an absolute killer album and it is definitely a classic. It also has some of the best songs of the 90's with "Killing In The Name", "Bombtrack" and "Know Your Enemy". Not a skip on here and personally I think to really get a full appreciation of this album you probably need to listen to it 2-3 times so that you can focus on the lyrics, drums and guitars separately. Strong 9-9.5/10.
If this weren’t nostalgic for me, not sure I’d have enjoyed it so much, but here we are.
This is the first album I’m familiar with (and like), there is almost always a RATM song on my playlist. Likes: Political message mixed with great delivery, those basslines, high energy Dislikes: Tracks can get a bit samey, don’t usually like “screamy” vocals (although I think they’re appropriate here) Listens: 2 Fave Tracks: Killing In The Name, Know Your Enemy Rating: 4
I feel like I always believed Rage Against the Machine to be way too hard metal. But the bass and guitar are super good and interesting to listen to. There is a little more screaming and a little more "noise" here than I generally prefer. I liked it. With a good set of headphones (that I use at my computer) and at an appropriate (not too loud) volume, it's great. I wonder if worse speakers would make me hate it, because I would be unable to make out the bass or other interesting pieces. 4/5 stars
This is their best album
Classic
It's a no doubt masterpiece
absolute banger debut album
I was surprised at how high the rating was for this, since I thought that Rage Against the Machine was sort of a joke band, but this was so good. Great playing by Tim Commerford
Kind of surprising that a group with such anti-establishment, anti-police brutality, anti-systemic racism messages was signed with Sony. Still powerful and just as impactful, if not more so, than when it was released. A rallying cry to take the power back. Musically and lyrically insightful.
Enjoyable album, and great message. Sad that the message still rings so true 30 years later. Consistent theme, great lyricism, and infectious musicality
Full of rage. Cool to drive with it.
The rage is relentless
Very angry. Hi energy. Like it. 4/5
Fun Rock album with heavy repeat value when in the mood to rage
Very very upset with the world. fair. I like the vibe
Fantastic.
Ragelicious
A great, great listen. Growing up with this kind of soundtrack has really shaped my musical tastes. I don’t often go back to it though so I was glad to have the nudge to. I probably never listened to this from beginning to end as I didn’t own the cd so chances are, this is the first proper listen. It does not disappoint.
Solid throughout, lots of fun and interesting melodies.
Settle for Nothing is a great Nirvana song Love the snare sound on this album Bullet in your head: so much sabbath! Stylistically homogenous throughout which is the album’s greatest strength and weakness at the same time as it could get the point across with Bombtrack and Take the Power Back, then call it a day. Freedom is also cool. A good heavy rock album with a lot to say that kind of popularized the rap-metal hybrid genre that was outside the mainstream.
I liked it
Classic album to enjoy, need to listen to it more. Liked a few songs, listened while doing a deadlift workout.
pretty good sound. Wish it wasn't so crass on the lyrics.
It was pretty good, one of the few albums id love an instrumental for
A pretty consistent album from front to back. A good mix of groove, aggression, and build-ups. The slow moments work well with the faster ones. The bass and drums being higher in the mix create a powerful atmosphere, with the vocals and guitar adding into it. Though a couple songs do sound same-y. Final Thoughts: Great album, though wouldn't go out of my way for a re-listen. Genre: Nu-Metal/Rap Metal, 1992. Rating: 4.3/5
Me and my whole friend group bumped Rage when we were 13-17, and we had some pretty questionable taste, including nu-metal - so this album must be crap. Hey, what d'ya know - it actually holds up pretty well. The guitar work is pretty dynamic, with distortion, texture, solos, and riffage. A lot of the guitar is rhythmic, which combined with rock drumming, super muscular bass, and spoken/rapped vocals means like 90% of their sound is rhythm. I respect how they combine rock, hip-hop, punk, and funk-metal. Zack is a very compelling vocalist. Cynically, you could say that the vague and angsty political messages are carefully formulated to make teenagers feel like revolutionaries when they break school uniform code or smoke a cigarette. However, some of the songwriting is also pretty memorable and good. My main issue is that lots of the songs use a technique of having a kind of breakdown in the middle, followed by a gradual build-up, then a crescendo where Zack shouts a slogan. I'm sure it works great for a mosh pit, but it gets pretty formulaic, and it also means most of the tracks end up 5-6 minutes. Overall though, I'm glad this is still a surprisingly solid record even when I'm no longer a bong-ripping teenage rebel. 4*
Lekkere muziek, wel druk.
Solid, just as good as when I first heard it in 1992. Its got a few tracs that don't measure up but overall pretty good.
I wasn't old enough (or even American) to understand American politics at the time, but a lot of these lyrics sounded relevant to today's political landscape (if a hellfire can be considered a landscape). I've always liked RATM. I don't put them on regular rotation but I appreciate them when I do listen to them.
One of the 1st rock albums I really got into. So many solid tracks on this album. Tom Morello's guitar playing on this was iconic for me when I was learning to play.
4.25
A boldly enduring album. Zack de la Rocha's poignant lyrics and powerful vocal delivery makes up a majority of the Rage in Rage Against The Machine. The rest of the band expertly backs him up with punctuating riffs from Morello, hard-hitting drums from Wilk, and Commerford with surprisingly groovy basslines. This culminates in the utterly fantastic 1-2 punch of Bombtrack followed by Killing in the Name. These two tracks still live on as genuinely fantastic shows of power from Rage and are arguably their best songs. As the album rolls on though, it is evident that Rage is something of a one-trick pony. And while I think they do that one trick particularly well, it gets pretty tiring when you heard it done best the first two times. A key exception I'll note is Know Your Enemy, which has some of the most interesting guitar work from Morello combined with a poignant outro from De La Rocha. Obviously this is a classic. There's reasonable room for discussion on the effectiveness of the band's core message and how it was delivered, but the debut Rage album is unforgettable at it's root. A tour de force in all respects.
Wow. That can be the best rapcore / rap metal album ever. Wonderful, dynamic music with pesymistic, fatalistic lyrics and tragedy on the cover - how can I be indifferent to it? First half of this album is great -5/5. The end is not as good but still enjoyable. 4,4
It's pretty solid. I'm very tired of hearing Killing In The Name of at this point in my life but it's still a good song. It's enjoyable, but I'm not crazy about it. I think the follow up, Evil Empire, is the superior RATM album. I'm giving it a 4. It's more like a 3.5 for the enjoyment I get from it. I'm tempted to give it a 1 just for all the crappy rap-rock bands that followed.
When I first listened to Rage, I played San Andreas, and boy did "Killing in the Name of" fit into the game. As for the rest of the album, I had not heard it until today. The lyrics clearly aimed to inspire the listener to stand up and rebel against the "system," which is a bit corny and over the top. As for the music, it added and complemented the lyrics with its high-energy, fast, and rough riffs to great success. Although it was, and maybe still is, a controversial record, I would say that looking at it from a musical standpoint, the average Hard Rock/Heavy Metal fan will find the fast and electric nature of the album itself a great listen. 4/5
Very good
Of course I know Rage Against the Machine, but I've never really listened to any of their deep cuts, save for one or two, so listening to a whole albums of theirs is new for me. I do quite enjoy this, super bumping with each song, just probably a bit repetitive, with each song following the same general format. Still good, and goes hard.
Yeah it still slaps
Every song could have been a minute shorter and it would have been a much tighter album. Zack de la Rocha yelling "yeah" and "unh" on every track only gets you so far. Very solid songs and overall structure of the album beyond that. A tighter editing would have made this a 5.
Full of good riffs and solos. Killing in the Name, Bullet in the Head, Know Your Enemy are standouts.
I've heard the singles, never listened to the album, rectified that today, enjoyed the record, will have to listen to it more. Some wild guitar sounds for sure!
fantastic album with strong songs
Classic album. 8/10
I’d run through a wall listening to this album
Angry. Amazing tone. Lyrics hyper-relevant 30 years later
Incredibly provocative. Probably the only good rap-rock hybrid
Captures angst perfectly and it still makes me pissed today while bobbing my head along. Noticed the drum playing more on this listen through and kudos. Also fuck 12
It’s a rare kind of alchemy found in these tracks. The words, grooves, attitudes fit like tectonic plates – first locking in, then finding friction, then pushing up together into the sky, building mountains. I’m always on the lookout for emotion-, feeling-, impulse-defining combinations of musicianship and lyricism – the sort of moments that take you to wherever the artist wanted you to go no matter your previous headspace. “Fuck you, I won’t do what you tell me”, sat atop that preposterously dialled-in groove is canon. It is slam dancing rebellion that throws everything at you and then its limbs; bratty rage against the machines of loving grace. (“Motherfucker”, it should be noted, is delivered with a similarly emphatic aplomb.) There’s more to this record than just that track – the 2009 U.K. Christmas number one –though. Lots. So much so that a whole generation can claim to have come of age bouncing around (moshing, pogoing, etc.) either under RATM’s direct influence or in the bombtrack’s aftershocks. I was in the latter camp; 12 years of age and tragically romanced by the concept of being “a mosher”. RATM are forever “fuck you, I won’t do what you tell me” – but they’re also battle of the bands nights at the local theatre, school talent shows, all ages gigs at struggling pubs (ones that let you buy beer if you could grow a moustache!), late-late nights drinking vodka red bulls in your mates’ garden. They’re a community, a kind of belonging through music that transcends a lot besides. And when that sort of togetherness is addressed to the forces of alienation and atomisation –that which tells us to jump and expect us to say “how high?” – there can no greater “fuck you” than that.
This album took up most of the 64MB my RCA Lyra MP3 player had to offer back in the summer of 2003 when I was working for my local town council mowing municipal properties. It got me through some long days, well until the AA batteries gave out.
Clasicazo sinceramente
Nostalgic memory. Quite repetitive, definitely need to be in a certain mood for this
4.5
Poco se puede decir de un disco que tiene una de las mejores canciones de la historia...
RAtM's debut album is still as raw and unflinching as when it first came out, perhaps even more relevant.
It's a little depressing how much the content of the songs holds up still.
an album ive heard many times reminiscent of some of the music we adore; and also, theyre awesome live. not an album to skimp on.
Sólido
I'm sure everyones review mentions it, but this has to be one of the best produced rock albums of all time. Even on songs i'm not crazy about like 'Settle for Nothing', the contrast between the quieter and louder parts, how well every instrument fits into the mix. The first minute of 'Take the Power Back' is a masterclass in how to mix an album. Outside of that, the political lyrics and the anger they're delivered with matches perfectly with the instrumentation. Only things stopping me from giving a 5 are a couple of weaker tracks, and a general feeling like the songs could use a bit of trimming. The whole album also just works off the same trick, but it's an innovative trick and it sounds good. The amazing production also masks over a lot of small issues, it's just great fun to listen to.
I first heard of Rage Against The Machine when I was in high school, when I'd see some of my classmates wearing shirts with the Evil Empire album cover on them. I didn't know anything about the band, but the students who wore the Evil Empire shirts were usually not to be fucked with, so I figured it wasn't anything I had any business listening to. However, over the years, I've heard a small handful of their songs, and I've become pretty well acquainted with their political views. This was my first time listening to one of their albums from start to finish, and I thought it was really great. Zack de la Rocha's vocals and Tom Morello's guitar playing are a match made in heaven. I love the heavy guitar distortion, and the fact that each song had a unique musical sound to it. I really enjoyed the politically charged lyrics on this album too. Once again, another album that's over thirty years old is talking about things that are still hot-button issues today. Kind of makes me wonder if this country is just doomed to keep repeating the same mistakes until the effects of climate change finally cook us all alive. All in all, this is a solid album, that sounds way ahead of its time, both musically and lyrically. Favorite Track: Take the Power Back
Such a good album to gym too, with a class cover art. Just a great album in general. One of the first albums I brought on vinyl. Such a great politically charged album.
30 years and holds up really well. I normally dislike US funk metal but this is a true original and inovator. It rocks hard...
Very good
These guys stole our group name >:( Killing in the Name will always go hard till the day I die. Some songs I never heard before. Take the Power Back was a favorite. I think this album falls into the category of the songs being so lyrically driven, but I don't pay attention to the lyrics word for word, so a lot of the purpose of the album gets lost on me. Tim Commerford has now entered my brain as a great bassist, based off this album. Definitely an impactful album socially. Simple repetition of some phrases is effective.
I never really got into RAtM back in the times, largely because the people I knew that liked them weren’t the kind of people I wanted to associate with: mostly racist wannabe tough guys who totally missed the point of what Rage was singing about. All that aside, this a good album. Righteous lyrics over a banging rhythm section and Tom Morello’s impressive guitar work. Solid.
Очень крутой
Brilliant, invigorating, extremely political album. Lyrically incisive and cool if, for obvious reasons, simplistic. Era-defining definitely although passed me by a little bit. Album art is extraordinary. Very strong 4
🤘
Great album, haven’t listened to the entirety before. I enjoy how the energy, music, and lyrics blend and match perfectly.
I think rap rock/rap metal is usually an ill-advised medley, but I’m almost convinced it could work off of this album because it rocks. Anger, power, rhythm, awesome awesome guitar playing. Best song: Killing in the Name
Strong
Ever amazing Rage Against The Machine, politically on point and full of energy. The self-immolation of the Vietnamese monk as the album cover is just a taste of what you can expect to hear throughout the record. You can't deny this genre bending amalgamation is perfect to pump you up and get you started for whatever you are doing. Best: Killing In The Name Worst: Take The Power Back
The greatest combination of rock and rap ever made, maybe? This music makes me wanna burn down a police station. Just as potent now as it was 30 years ago. Well, I assume. So far, this is by far the best weightlifting soundtrack of any album I've reviewed here. I think this is the first time I've ever heard rap-rock that wasn't cringe
They're just so angry /s. Pretty good rap rock with very salient points. Even today.
30 years later and the lyrics as meaningful as ever
Man this is great. Especially considering it's their debut. Incredible.
rage is a hard hitting, still relevant force. speaking meaningfully about their time and place, while still being cutting edge for radio adjacent and radio forward music. tom morello knows guitar tones, la rocha’s growl is fierce and grating. good ass band, yo. those that work forces are the same that burn crosses!
This album remains perhaps the only one of its kind that remains listenable. Preceding what would later become alternative metal, rap-core, and then arguably nu metal, etc., RATM is the gold standard that did not seem to sell out, at least as badly, to the 'machine'. The best part of this album though is the mix, taking De La Rocha's lyrics and hip-hop/rap style engineering we are given a hard rock album with authoritative thump that drives the passionately angry protest vibes with an aurally tangible fervor. Those are what makes the album great, but it sort of also becomes where the album begins to plateau. Zack's rhythm and prose are consistent throughout, the band's style and instrumentation follow suit so very well, but this album is a forced feeding to the listener of their political feelings and offers little in terms of where to go from there and in a frustrating way that while it motivates the fight it offers no visibility into what winning would look like. This is the thinking man's review, but objectively and with regard to the music and with total respect for political beliefs that favor with good intentions values that are at their core agreeable, there may not be a better or more effective display of politics in the world of music.
arrancó bárbaro después me fue dando más paja igual 8/10
Very good. The only complaint is the songs all start sounding the same eventually.
Love me some rage