Reviews (page 14 of 15)
In its favor are the relatively clean production, the obvious politics, some broad hot licks and a band name/album title that is ultimate in truth in advertising. On the downside is the adolescent rage, the sameyness, and the length – my god, is this too long. Generic, white suburban rage is all fine and perfectly acceptable in its place but really should avoid going on too long – an analogy to outgrowing one’s youthful idealism. This record could’ve conserved energy and increased its impact by being 33-50% briefer. Beyond a few glimmers of impressive playing, it’s not really necessary to hear this before death unless one plans to die very young – and before developing more refined tastes.
High energy with insane bass riffs, very politically-centered lyrics with an edge to them. Genuinely feels like he means what he says, overall I'd say a 8/10
Feel ready to overthrow my government
:eyes:
I enjoyed this album, but it didn’t stand out to me. When Spotify accidentally switched to radio based on it, I didn’t notice and started liking it more
If the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Black Sabbath had a baby, it would sound like this. Surprisingly funky, but hard as nails, ‘Rage Against The Machine’ is angry and militant, but also strangely a lot of fun, with a singalong nature to a lot of the songs and choruses (perverse I know given the subject matter). What’s not perverse is just how incredibly good and fully formed this debut is.
'Wie boos is, is meestal boos op zichzelf...' Ook deze heren lijken me toe aan een paar sessies anger management. Muzikaal wel interessant hoor, en je kunt er waarschijnlijk prima op headbangen. Een klassiek album, goed om een keer te luisteren, maar dit ga ik niet opzetten in de auto.
Heerlijke basloopjes, schurende gitaarriffs van Tom Morello en opzwepende zang/rap van Zach de la Rocha. Wat een bak energie. Heerlijk!
Great lyrics
Stil dont like rock
Smá nostalgía. 1992 þótti mér mjög mikilvægt að tónlistarmenn notuðu ekki syntha en þeim mun skrýtnari hljóð sem gítarinn gæfi frá sér því betra, RATM toppuðu sig þar. Því sögðu, þá finnst mér platan örlítið dala er líður á, en hún er samt ansi góð.
Så jävla bra?
I expected to like it more honestly. Seems kinda bare and not my style.
Very eager but some good songs. Really hafts be in the mood for their music though
Perfect cowbell
The frenetic energy, the politics in Zach's lyrics, the sonic landscape, the guitar... it all hits like an uprising. Five stars.
I mean it’s Rage
I loved it. So much. Obviously a fantastic makes hard rock actually something I enjoy.
Fucking amazing album everything hits perfectly also one of my favorite album covers
I rate this album a 8/10, I liked it although it gets a little repetitive.
Yes! That's how to express anger for the system as an artist and an activist.
I did enjoy it. Some of the riffs and songs started to sound very similar. But it definitely got my head bouncing.
Paul Ryan's favorite band! Which explains...well, nothing, other than his inability to comprehend song lyrics. Personally I just want to keep politics out of my music. Groundbreaking on several levels. Spawned too many shitty impostors to count. First several tracks are all great, closer is great. Know your enemy. Yep. That's good shit. Gets a bit bogged down about 2/3 of the way in, and there is not a ton of nuance in the music. Morello is a genius.
Now we're talking, rap-metal with socially conscious lyrics. Album totally holds up 30 years later. No shitty synths or reverb drenched guitars thankfully. Totally deserves to be on the list
Never heard any of their songs other than Killing in the Name before. Album was pretty good, esp as a first album
Good riffs but gets tiring with angry lyrics
I definitely enjoyed it way more than I was expecting. I figured it would get old after a few songs or the songs would be too aggressive, but they are actually quite melodic. And that’s despite Zach yelling all over them (which is thoroughly enjoyed as well). Great vocals and guitar work and some good political commentary to boot. 8/10
Rage Against the Machine truly lice up to their name. These songs are rap metal critiques of society especially the social and racial history of the United States. Unlike other rap metal artists, the vocal delivery isn’t overwrought but simple and concise in order to made the point. I get tinges of Beastie Boys in the vocals as well. Overall I found this to be an enjoyable and effective album.
Total banger from start to finish.
This doesn’t sound like anything that came out in that time period. Because of this it holds up incredibly well. Song after song of protest, anger and societies apocalypse are coupled with the funkiest bass lines and a guitar screaming so loud you’ll swear it were being stabbed to death.
I like this but it isn’t amazing.
Riveting, uncompromising music that hits you like a punch to the gut. The band rocks extremely hard, but is also full of funk. I really like the balance they tread between slow burning menace and those throttling bursts of energy. I don't think anyone does that better than RATM. The message continues to resonate, even 30 years after it came out. Fave Songs: Killing in the Name, Bullet in the Head, Know Your Enemy, Settle for Nothing, Freedom
I was going to give this a 4, but I know I wouldn't have Run the Jewels without this. RtJ is more my personal taste these days, but I still appreciate this a lot. Let's call it a 4.5 that I'm rounding up because FUCK YOU, I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME! MOTHER FUCKER!!!
Comme ça dès le matin là ?
la playlist walk like a badass fait pâle figure
He has such raw energy. I originally avoided this album for the sole purpose of his voice (I couldn’t stand it) but it grew on me. Its message is generational and it’s flowers are well deserved.
Great guitar by Tom Morello
Loved this album in highschool, haha.
Awesome album, the lyrics seem more pertinent these days than ever before!
Excellent
Love this album. Love Rage's attitude in these early records.
It’s been 30 years and this album feels more relevant than ever. Hard-edged without being discordant, full of righteous fury.
You already know I feel a certain type of way about this album. This fools combine rap metal and funk in a way that is only disgusting in a good way. One of the only albums I’ll hear what they say
The album cover alone has significance to the reason this project all together. This album earned a spot in the top 100 metal albums of all time according to the Rolling Stones. This paved the way for modern metal and i loved it. It was my personal introduction to metal and i cant be more grateful. Favorite songs: Killing In The Name, Bullet In The Head, Township Rebellion, and Freedom.
Great album
Yup that's rage against the machine I think I just like the one song everyone else likes about them after that it's kind of like, uh... I don't know if I want to actually listen to these guys anymore
6/10. Not bad, not my genre
Laughably overrated by the reddit demographic. There were some good guitar moments and some cool grooves throughout but other sections fell really flat. 6/10
They need to come to Atlanta like yesterday. I love all of their albums
Good sound, but I wouldn't say I like the lyrics. In punk-adjacent songs, it is essential that the listener can experience feelings of sadness or anger together with the singer. In this album, that doesn't really work, so the singer just comes across as annoying.
Straight fire and more relevant than ever. Fuck any nazis that think they have a right to listen to this. Learn to read.
I LOVE RATM and I love this album. Morello's lyrics are excellent even if they can be repetitive (to invoke protest chants but still). The guitar playing and energy though bring everything up to great.
The best songs are just so good. Some half baked shit bogs it down in the middle.
This album was influential, and holds up well.
Spent a lot of time listening to this getting pumped up for soccer games in high school. Love this band, love Tom Morello's guitar playing. Faves are Bullet in the Head, Know Your Enemy, Fistful of Steel. The album drags a bit, exceeds the magic 45 minute mark, and by the end it's kind of like... ok guys I get it. But they really keep the intensity up throughout, and I respect that. I think Battle of Los Angeles edges this one out for their best album. Probably a 4 star album, but I am rounding up for nostalgic value.
Respect this but honestly I found the album to be a bit exhausting. It felt long with nothing to relieve the constant intensity. Even Public Enemy had Flavor Flav to provide some levity... I think I prefer Evil Empire for its more varied and slightly hookier approach. Zach de la Rocha sounds like a human tie fighter, especially at 3:12-3:17 on "Township Rebellion."
I have a soft spot for RATM. This album prob their best. Sadly all the messages are still highly relevant. Tom Morello’a guitar work is fantastic with his use of the octave/harmonizer as well as his scratch-like playing, one of the greats. Only tragedy is a lot of the fans of this band just like it cause it’s “hard” and ignore the politics, which is the point. I’m looking at you Paul Ryan.
Nice angry revolution metal vibes
Whilst listening to this, Rage Against The Machine's debut album, I found myself reading a book investigating the literary efforts by 20th century dictators. So, whilst listening to Zach de la Rocha's furious epizeuxis of "All of which are American dreams!", the dreams being conformity, hypocrisy and brutality amongst others, I coincidentally read of Stalin's muted admiration for the efficiency of American industry. Aside from amusing me, the juxtaposition made me realise that I wasn't taking the message at all seriously, that I wasn't raging against the machine, I was chuckling at the self-righteousness. Don't take that dismissal as intransigence. Rage Against The Machine clearly rage about numerous important subjects, like police brutality and racism. But they don't handle every issue they raise with sufficient sobriety. Take inequality. Within political philosophy, a genuinely brief consideration of equality leads to various nuances. Plenty of conservatives would say they're some breed of egalitarian, in that they're anti-elite and wholly in favour of equality of opportunity, that everyone has the right to stay at the Ritz if they can afford it. I remember studying a paper at university by the philosopher Elizabeth S. Anderson entitled What is the Point of Equality?, where she criticises the notion of equality as a compensation for undeserved bad luck, and instead conceives of equality as a prophylatic against oppressive social relations. Would Rage Against The Machine be aware of even such a reductive elaboration of equality as I just gave? I'm guessing no. They're under no obligation to, but likewise I can still admonish them on those grounds. I suppose what I'm concluding is that Rage Against The Machine tend to left-wing platitude, in a similar way to the strains of right-wing country musician growling that if you don't like Confederate statues you can git out or the centrist popstar warbling that they believe children are the future. The indignation of the delivery doesn't compensate for the reality that this is music for 15-year-olds, and 15-year-olds don't have the vote. Indeed, the vehemence and savagery of the music only underscores the juvenility of the message. Just because it's passionate doesn't mean it's insightful. Actually, the admittedly corking Killing in the Name did become the anthem for a successful protest movement. The protest movement was to reclaim the UK Christmas number 1 away from the tyranny of Simon Cowell's talent shows. Victorious acts from The X Factor had attained the UK Christmas number 1 for four years in a row, with the show having the ambition of a fifth. Understand that this was an utterly repugnant state of affairs for everyone involved: the acts would have a solitary hit of a cover version then get tossed back into the local club circuits with all the dignity of a used condom, the music itself would be so trite and unadventurous that many forgot good Christmas singles could exist, and the ones who remembered the existence of good Christmas singles would just feel older, sadder and so much more tired. So, a Facebook group started campaigning to get Killing in the Name to the 2009 UK Christmas number 1. When cultural pollutant Simon Cowell called the campaign stupid and cynical (yes, he had the gall to criticise something as cynical), Killing in the Name flew to the top of the charts and all the children in the land danced a merry dance, chanting that fuck you, they wouldn't do what you told them. Regardless of your political stance, that's clearly cocklewarming.
Thirty years old and it feels as fresh and relevant as ever. 5/5
Definitely the best Rage album, but still one that I find is ideally consumed in smaller batches. It does start to sound slightly samey the more I listen. But overall a lot of fun. 3.5/4
like Evil Empire more
Rage Against the Machine or RATM is a rock band from L.A., USA. This was their 1st Studio Release. Genre: Rap Metal, Funk Metal Initial Impression: Hard, Loud, Kick Ass Singles: ---------------------------------- Killing in the Name (UK #1, US ALT #25, #8 NZ, #7 AUS) Bullet in the Head (UK #16, #19 NZ) Bombtrack (UK #37, NL #8, NZ #11) Freedom (#17 NZ) Standouts: Killing in the Name (Fuck You I Won't Do What You Tell Me), Bombtrack Others: Take The Power Back, Bullet in the Head I don't usually listen to Rap Metal, but when I do I listen to Rage Against the Machine. I have to be in the right mood, to enjoy this kind of music. It isn't something I'd put on playlist with other songs that I would listen to during a normal day. But, I would definitely put it on a playlist of songs that really fucking rock! For the Genre is is outstanding. For me, overall, I think it is pretty damn good and overall I'd give it a 3.5
Raw as hell, with innovative sounds, killer instrumentals, amazing vocal delivery, and a based lyrical message. The only thing more I can ask is more of this, please.
Loved it
F**K YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME!
La música esta bárbara. Despues de ver el doc de woodstock 99 me preocupa escuchar esta música y transformarme en un varón blanco enojado sin causa(? . Bue. Las letras no estan vacías pero se me hace cansador la presencia constante de la violencia y la muerte.
My father used to listen to this a lot when I was a kid. Still works for me, but every track sounds like the others so it's a bit too much. That's definitely an album to listen to if you need energy!
This one rocks.
Was good, not the biggest fan of just screaming and yelling, but overall pretty good. Obvi killing in the Name if is a boo
Test
Solid 10
Second time listening to this classic. After moving to Nashville and seeing Brass Against cover much of their songs, as well as interacting with cover bands in the area, I can safely say that I under-appreciated this album the first time I listened to it. I like the lyrical content cause, you know, fuck the government, however I must say it mainly consists of phrases rather than lyrical sentences. This is something I've known for quite some time, but I haven't fully realized until now. I don't think I've listened to another band that does that. Tom Morello has always been an musician that I've been fascinated with. The creativity with his axe knows no bounds. It is interesting to hear his work on this album, knowing the kind of music he's going to make in the next 15 or so years with Audioslave. Overall a great and classic album.
Iconic one-liner lyrics fueled by chugging riffs from Tom Morello. Simple yet powerful. Not every song stands out but it’s still a fun album to revisit. I also completely forgot that Maynard (TOOL) does guest vocals on Know Your Enemy
Starting strong. I'm biased because I already own this and love it. Haven't listened in a while, holds up incredibly well. A product of it's time but still extremely relevant, which is... Depressing.
Interestingly, not as heavy as I expected! It has 90s hip hop tones which I liked - they're not two genres that I would immediately put together so hearing how well it worked was a pleasant surprise. P.S. I failed to take note of standout tracks, and will do so for the succeeding albums.
Mowed the lawn and started my journey 9/5/2022 labor day
When this album first came out I had no interest in it at all. Over the years something changed in me and I love it.
Will never listen to this one again, but I get it. Musically brilliant, but the style of music just gives me anxiety. Not for me but I’m sure it’s for some. 2 stars but certainly probably deserves more
Fuck you I won't do what you tell me!
So good
!!!! Love this record. My older brother had this on tape and I first heard it when I was maybe 10 years old. Didn’t really understand what the lyrics were about but the heavy riffs and rhythms moved me in a visceral way. To this day, it gets me pumped up in a way that nothing else quite does. It’s so accessible and minimal. Sounds super ahead of it’s time compared to other stuff I’ve heard from 92. Morello had a really innovative voice on the guitar in his tones and lines. Bomb track has like 4 of my favorite riffs. These grooves are so deep. Killing in the name of- they are the absolute best at doing a build and landing in a heavy groove. Take the power back was I think the first bass line and first music I learned to play. Definitely super influential for me.
What is there really to say? Some of the best riffs and grooves of all time Track 1 the kick drum thing and guitar break and guitar scratch stuff at the end Guitar noise on settle for nothing is awesome Bullet in your head is so sick, I’ve been sleepin on that one Know your enemy has such a cool guitar intro, Tom morello is the shit Fistful of steel intro is one of the sickest things I’ve ever heard
They have so many good guitar licks. I’m also so amped on the fuck the system vibes. He doubles vocals and in general he is able to crate dynamics in his rapping which is super cool. Overall I love this album but I don’t know why I won’t give it 5.
This one grew on me, I was hesitant at first but I like it a lot now. I’ve loved killing in the name so it’s about time I listen to the whole album already. I like that it actually has a message and is activism in music form. It has a clear purpose. It’s a very good album to wake up to if you don’t wanna get up in the morning
This album is ridiculously good. Especially for a debut.
Lots of fond memories from high school days
Maaate. Instant classic. EZ 5-stars. I remember as a kid, I borrowed this album AND Enter the 36 Chambers from a friend at school (the he himself had *borrowed* from his older brother). That day, my musical tastes really started to develop, mature, and evolve. Never looked back since. Stand out tracks: Killing in the Name, Bombtrack, Wake Up (used at the end of The Matrix movie), all of them, really.
Begon lekker, eindigde kut
Exactly how I imagined a Rage Against The Machine album (never heard one before). Fast, hard and angry.
I can’t deny this is one of the most influential albums of the 90s. I forgot how old this one actually is (33 in 2025!) My only dig is this is way too long. Most songs only need to be like 3 minutes. But you have Zack trying to get in everything lyrically and Tom Morello has to do his thing every song.
Raw. Energy. Spoken/Rap lyrics. Evolving songs (chords etc change as song goes on, elaborates), which isn't my favourite. Can be meandering. Has some classics, like Killing in the Name of and some songs I'd like to hear again.
This is literally the first album that I have listened to in my life. I think I was 12 at the time and I wasn't into music at all, then my friend told me to check this out - and the rest is now history. It's been now almost 20 years since that moment, but my musical journey keeps coming back to this specific album. It obviously has so much of sentimental value, I won't be able to be objective when describing the album, but that's just another reason why this should be rated highly. As a self-proclaimed bass player, songs like Bombtrack, Wake up, or Freedom are so rewarding to play. Bass is actually so characteristic on this album and in many songs it is a focal point of the composition. Tim Commerford was my first kind of an 'idol', or a person I was trying to shape my style after. I am not a big enthusiast of guitar solos, but Tom Morello is definitely one of the exceptions. And even though my favourite solo is on a different album, the heart and soul of his style is felt on this self-titled album. But what I really respect Tom for is his riffs - when written down they are pretty simple and very easy to play, and yet they match perfectly in the songs and they are the main reason, why your head is banging to the rhythm all the time. And finally, Zach de la Rocha and his vocals and lyrics. Ratm is mostly known to the wider audience for their 'Anti-Machine' themes. Just listen to the names of the song: 'Take The Power Back', 'Township Rebellion', Settle For Nothing'. Once again I think that Zach and his lyrics got more sophisticated on later albums, but here, there is the titular rage and raw energy, which gave them the fame. Great album, easiest rating I will ever do on this site.
Addictive riffs, rhythyms to move and lyrics to anger
An album that was and still is ahead of it's time.
jam
As hard hitting now as when it came out.
I'm not sure if I've listened to this album all the way through. I've always liked Rage, but mostly listened to the hits. This was of course awesome.
This is on constant, constant rotation. Still holds up, obviously. The only mild, tedious stinker is Settle For Nothing, but even that has one of the most pretty guitar solos anywhere.
I like the lyrics and the angsty-ness but it got a bit grating after about 5 songs. I can see why it's on the list as it's genre defining and was of a time
Absolute classic. Always admired artists that so tastefully bring together multiple genres and this is no exception; an exciting splicing of funk, rock and hip hop.
I've never been a big Rage fan, they've always felt a little too "I'm 14 and this is deep" for me. However, I'm really enjoying the deeper cuts on this album a lot more than their typical popular songs. Oh, and that one song from The Matrix is on here so that's pretty cool.
RAGE! Filled with heavy hitting singles and an overtly political sensibility, Rage synthesized a rap-rock sound that only has sparsly been replicated with success by others.
Perfect encapsulation of what it advertises to be with no apologies, and some great songs to go with it.
Always a classic. Not a fan of every track but a stellar band from the 90’s.
Ummm..I really don’t get. Lots of rage and lots of noise…not very musical.
Hell yeah!
Can’t believe I never listened to this before this shit bangs. It’s aggressive and in your face but also pointed and political. Morello is insane on guitar and De La Rocha is just an absolute force. And the revolutionary politics here only seem to get better with age. No skips, great album.
This is the second rage album I listened to. The first one was a little later in their career where they knew their sound. This album feels like they just don't know where they're going with some of the songs. Dudes voice is great but can get old. Really did not like the 2nd half of the album 2/10
Killing in the Name one of my goats. This album being 30 years old really makes you realize time is a circle tho
They tried to warn us. I remember the exact moment when I first heard this album. I was on a bus bouncing through the back roads of the South San Juan Mountains of Colorado. This was the last album I heard before 24 days of hardcore alpine mountaineering with a crew of five dudes, ice axes, lines, and brand new boots. Hundreds of miles and weeks later and the lyrics were still bouncing around in my brain as they had all along the trail. The album stands. It was way ahead of its time. Probably is still ahead of its time and inaccessible to a lot of Americans who will never understand. Game-changer.
Ahh, RATM. I know this is Paul Ryan's favorite band. I think all he does these days is write reviews on 1001. How do I know all of this...? Because he submitted a review of this album on August, 1 2022. https://1001albumsgenerator.com/albums/4Io5vWtmV1rFj4yirKb4y4/rage-against-the-machine I completely dismissed this album when it was released, attributing it to another dumb doofus rap group like 311. But, somehow they stuck around and eventually these tunes eventually got through. The bass-y funk, rap, punk fusion from the 90's is irritating, but I think this band had some decent messaging behind the music. The political messaging of Tom Morello is the reason this band has endured over time. It's certainly not because of Zack de la Rocha, who seems to struggle pulling off the badass stage persona in the longterm. For the record, I'm not a big Paul Ryan fan either but his reviews kick ass.
First, I would like to thank jkavlock for the opportunity to write this guest review. I've been a huge fan of Rage Against The Machine for a long time. They've been an incredibly important band in the formation of my worldview, and even inspired my career. Musically, RATM gets me pumped. I love to lift and work out, and nothing gets me psyched for a good burn like RATM. I turn on Rage, turn it up loud, grab the barbell, and the sweat starts trickling down like tax cuts for the rich. It's thanks to RATM that every time the sun's out, my guns are out. You know what they say - "curls get the girls." Lyrically, RATM helps me understand the world we live in. They sing about all the things I love - Manifest Destiny, landlords, burning things, corporations, the system, and a nice game of bridge ("For all the diamonds/They'll use a pair of clubs to beat the spades"). They give proper respect to the thin blue line ("Those who died are justified, for wearing the badge") and the stars and stripes ("Ya bowin' down to the flag"). RATM told us to rest assured that "Departments of police, the judges, the feds/Networks at work, keepin' people calm." They helped me understand that if I did what those in positions of power and authority told me to, I could control myself - "And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control." And they described how the education system works best - "The complacent students sit and listen." RATM also recognized conformity, assimilation, and submission as important parts of the American Dream. When Obama was elected president, I knew we had to "take the power back!" and I listened to that track on repeat leading up to the 2010 midterms. I do have to admit - sometimes I just get so pumped listening to Rage and curling big dumbbells that I lose track of the lyrics. But I get the message. These guys SPEAK to me! Rage guitarist Tom Morello even wrote an article about me. He called me "the embodiment of the machine," and that recognition is one of the proudest moments of my career. I wouldn't be who I am today if not for the influence of Rage Against The Machine and Tom Morello. Your Truly, Paul Ryan Former Speaker of the House Former Republican Nominee for Vice President Former Spokesperson for P90X Former and Current Advocate for Privatizing and Ruining Medicare and Social Security President of the Misunderstood Lyrics and Messages Club
It’s hard to believe this album came out in 1992, 30 years ago! I would have guessed late 90s. Regardless, this album rocks and the shining star is Tom Morello’s guitar with Timmy C’s bass being notable too. These guys’ music makes me want to run through a brick wall. It’s that powerful. Zach de la Rocha’s delivery also gets me amped up. The guy strongly dislikes the establishment. The last two songs trail off a bit, but not enough to totally derail this flaming wrecking ball of rage.
Some of those who work forces Are the same that burn crosses
Man - these guys hit a homerun with this album out for sure. They managed to pioneer a sound all of their own, and managed to perfectly distil the feeling of political and societal dissatisfaction into a musical artform.
Rock/alternative metal mixed with white rap. The music is interesting and experimental. I was only bored with the first track, it's quite repetitive, but the rest of the album was a pleasant surprise. I don't dig the vocalist. He sounds like prepubescent Fred Durst. The bass tone is killer. I feel if I gave this album a 3/5 someone would make me look like the guy on the album cover.
Listening to this while walking around London makes everything feel a bit epic. Another rone from my teens that just lights me up.
RATM. 5 absoluto.
Let's rage
Þessi plata kom út árið sem ég varð tvítug og hafði mjög mótandi áhrif á hugsanahátt minn varðandi kerfið margfræga. Get alveg gleymt mér í headbanginu því þetta eru bara allt djöfulsins bangerar. Elskidda!
Don’t like metal Like machines too much
Blir for mykje
Detta komme vidare til oslo
gg
I don't think I will ever get tired of this album, although playing it in the car might lead to a few speeding tickets. Tom Morello's innovative guitar effects are the icing on the cake here. 4 stars no doubt. Almost every track is a must-listen.
Classic.
I loved and listened to this thousands of times when I was in my twenties. I can't be unbiased when rating this.
Love this album. Was released while I was in high school.
Rage is a band with almost unmatchable energy and intensity, yet their sound is still funky and lively. And of course the political message is important top. 5/5 Top tracks: Killing in the name Fistfull of steel Wake up
Very anger, much yelling! Some clever rhyming and strong protest vibes. The name definitely fits. Tones of energy and drive, but I don’t really like listening to it, it makes me feel yucky. LOTS of repetition to drive home what they want the audience to focus on.
popular? interesting? radical? sure. there aren't many rock groups singing against racism and other abuses of power. but it's so lightweight. does it rally more than it catalyzes? de la rocha's life adjacent to his music gives weight
FUCK Prefs: Bombtrack, Killing In The Name, Take The Power Back, Bullet In The Head, Know Your Enemy, Wake Up, Township Rebellion, Freedom Moins pref: Settle For Nothing
So fucking good. Similar to Beastie Boys, this group has blended rock & rap so perfectly. Zack's lyrics are very political, provocative and punk, which pairs so well with the fat bass lines, distorted guitar and tight percussion. What an insanely good release for a debut album, perfectly named band and perfectly timed release given the social climate during that period in the early 90s. I can workout to this, I can mosh to it, I can burn my government documents to it. So versatile. Fave tracks: Bombtrack, Killing In the Name, Know Your Enemy, Wake Up
Wow, dropping this shit as a debut album with that album cover is one hell of a statement. I guess that's exactly what Rage is all about though. It makes me sad that in the 30 years since this albums release, all of the themes contained within are just as, if not more, relevant. But it makes make happy that this exists, so at least there's that. Fav Tracks: Killing In the Name, Settle For Nothing, Wake Up
It's sad how relevant all of this still is 30 years after its release.
headbanger music ❌ headache music✅ terrible, copy and pasted and distasteful worse genre of all time cringe lead singer 1/5 cool album cover tho
Liking the guitar… couldn’t listen to any more than half hour at a time though. An acquired taste not for me. Absolute wank. Rape for my poorly little ears. I liked the guitar but that’s about it. The bass was good throughout tbf. Not for me tho. 2/5
Brilliant heavy guitar and drums. Baselines straight from Jah himself. Incredible lyrics. Headbangable. Fight the power. 5/5
Not bad for it’s genre just not my type of music. I don’t like yelling instead of singing.
4.6 + Incredible. The righteous rage that appealed to my teenage angst still feels just as urgent and resonant in my 40s. Fantastic bars, amazing screams and truly exceptional guitar work (esp. on “Settle For Nothing”).
Every tone in Rage's arsenal is distinctive, and the self-titled sticks to meat and potatoes from opening to closing riffs. The album's well-aged, sadly. It's a pretty simple record; That's not a bad thing, but does mean that the mentioned riffs aren't as melodically distinctive as they could have been. By far one of the best album covers ever, but I suppose that comes down to a perfect photograph.
Enjoyed more now that I listened more carefully. Still not keen on the vocals, but the music is good. I enjoyed many of the later songs on the album like "wake up".
Znowu cos debiutanckiego, tym razem cos blizszego czarnemu graniu, bo jedna z najbardziej popularnych politycznie aktywnie niepoprawnych band muzyki popularnej, czyli Rage Against The Machine z swoim debiutanckim krazkiem z 92, dodatkowo wydanego dokladnie w dniu wyborow prezydenckich, czego to sie nie robi zeby pokazac o czym ma byc plyta sama data wydania, promocja sie udala, bo jest to ponadczasowy klasyk gatunku rap metalowego, dosc mlodego gatunku w tamtych czasach, zespol czteroosobowy dosc standardowo, gitarka, bas i drumy, no i wokal pana Zacka de la Rocha, ktory jest tym elementem z ktorym kojarzy sie caly zespol lub przynajmniej ten krazek, chociaz tutaj w pamiec zapada rowniez mocna okladka z calopaleniem w sajgonie, wiec jak najbardziej na temat na albumie utrzymany rowniez w tym aspekcie, bo przewrotowe tresci sa tutaj podane z wyjatkowo silnym przekonaniem, ktore jest chyba rzecza najbardziej przyciagajaca ucho sluchacza, czuc ze osoba krzyczaco rymujaca robi to z przekonaniem, instrumentale sa jedynie dla niej tlem na ktorym wyrzuca z siebie jad w strone prawej strony mocy, co do samych instrumentali, to najbardziej rzuca sie w oczy mocne haratanie w gitarke, nie tylko na najbardziej znanym hicie bandy czyli killing in the name of, ale na calej plycie jest ona wyjatkowo slyszalna, stoi za nia Tom Morello, bas operowany przez Timmiego C., drumy natomiast gra pan o polsko brzmiacym nazwisku Brad Wilk, liryka jest creditowana do calej bandy, tak samo jak i produkcja, w czym moze cos byc, bo przeciez jest to rewydanie demka wczesniejszego, na 52 minutach zmiescilo sie 10 utworow, wiec raczej dluzsze granie z licznymi momentami zmian tempa, czy zmian energii, bo w jednym momencie normalny wokal rymowany, dalej chantowanie przechodzace w wyjcowanie, wiec prawdziwa synteza rapu i metalu, material stary, ale jary, wiec dobrze przypomniec sobie takie klasyki, na plejke rokowa dodam settle for nothing now, jeden z raczej sleeperowych utworow krazka wedlug spotifaja, ale ciekawa w swojej prostocie linia melodyczna grana przez gitarke mnie tutaj wciagnela, rapowa plejka juz miala kiedys dodane killing in the name, wiec nic wiecej nie dodaje, z ideologicznymi teksami jest zazwyczaj tak, ze albo sie jest za nimi lub przeciwko, ale jakos nie potrafie sie az tak wciagnac do zadnego z obu szancow tej wojny
I can't ever picture a day where this album won't sound fresh and relevant.
I never liked RATM much in my university years, mainly due to disliking a few people who really liked them and not being a fan of other rock/rap bands that followed in their wake a decade later. How wrong I was. This is powerful stuff. Aggressive and p'ed off, but the anger is directed constructively. Rating: 5/5 Playlist track: Killing In the Name Date listened: 17/06/22
Some all time classic fat riffs. Tom Morello is a god
6/5
RATM!!!!!!!
Not only is it noise but it’s noise with an excessive amount of bad language which to me is an instant turn off
When people tell me they don't like this album I realize I have no idea what some people even listen to music for. This is incredible.
exactly as name suggests.
An absolute force.
I'll never totally understand why I wasn't dialed into this band until much later on. I was 20 when this album came out and totally into the whole post punk and grunge movements. Yet, this band completely escaped me. Maybe I was still too Republican at the time. I can't imagine being more pissed off at life than in 1992.
Recorded live at Sound City Studios.
Boring
Protest
Heard this one hundreds of times before. Classic album, in the contention for RATMs best. Usually when you listen to an album you've heard before you'll forget about some of the songs on there. With this album that is not the case, I knew and remembered every single one. RATMs energy is unmatched, especially in a genre which they arguably pioneered and noone has managed to surpass them. Standouts: all of them, can't really choose a favorite
Although quite samey (chorus = repeat the same line louder and louder until shout reached) this is great. V familiar but much funkier than I remembered. Mad to think it's very clear about their politics 30 years ago and still people don't get it.
Natuurlijk ken ik "Killing in the name of", maar ik vind het niet zo'n heel bijzonder nummer. Daarmee kom je dan ook meteen bij het probleem van dit album. Als je geen echte hard-rock liefhebber bent dan is het niet heel interessant. Het is niet echt heel erg swingend (up-tempo), en een bijzondere melodie of mooie zang is er ook niet. **
probably too much 3? no. 2 at best. 1 if im cranky
Wird nach den ersten paar Tracks wirklich schwach, war eigentlich guten Willens.
Rulez
Surprisingly liked a few songs. It still stands the test of time. Still a little too metal for my taste at times but there are songs I'll revisit.
Nice
Best Song: Killing In The Name Of. The song, its political message, and its musicality all make it a great song. What makes it an iconic song is when De La Rocha switches the lyrics in the final minute of the song to "fuck you I won't do what you tell me." The way it takes the heated and passionate political tone of the song and cranks it higher, when you thought the dial was already as high as it could go, is perfect. Worst Song: Settle for Nothing. Trends a little too far towards prog-rock with its meandering guitar solo, which doesn't really add anything to the track. Overall: It's killer. The whole album sounds youthful, smart, and talented. Takes the best of both rap and rock and mashes them into a rare fusion that actually works. Zack De La Rocha raps like a man on fire. If I close my eyes I can forget that Tom Morello is shilling NFTs now and remember when his guitar work was pure alien madness. This album is political and musical brilliance.
It's all in the name isn't it
I listened to this and now I want to break something.
another boy task, but better than motörhead
Cover art 3/5. Feel pretentious
I'm surprised that I didn't hate this. It's probably one of the best examples of nu-metal but it's still nu-metal and thus sounds quite dated. What not dated is the social commentary however
Classic. Filled with bangers. Crazy good.
What can I say? This is one of the best albums of all time, and you should definitely listen to it before you die. For preference, you shouldn't just listen to it. You should HEAR it. The issues that are raged against are still here now, unfortunately. It's shame that everyone who already knows this already knows, because the people who don't or won't like this music on the basis of its messaging probably won't be changed; even when someone sets themselves on fire.
9/10 Best Song - Killing in the name
Épico y lleno de ira, este disco ya es un clásico. Los riffs, los gritos, las melodías y la descarga de adrenalina siguen igual de potentes.
Not my thing!
Absolutely fantastic, made me very aware of everything wrong going around.
5 UUUGGGHHHsss out of 5.
Simply put, probably one of the best albums ever. At least partially responsible for my political radicalism.
Firstly, I've never seen this angle of the album cover before. RATM was the craziest mosh I've even experienced, my feet were rarely under my body. Very fun. This album was one of the few guitar bands in rotation during high school for me. Tom Morello is a genius. A fun revisit, even if a bit cranky. It's election time people. Fists in the air!
This is me and my mates drinking beers underage and acting silly.
One of the more influential and political rock albums. Rage makes a very strong and hardcore album. Roche has a great way of vocalizing and making his voice carry into your ears and thoughts. Killing in the Name is one of the best rock tracks ever as well. A phenomenal album. 8.6/10
Fuck you I won’t do what you tell me
Znam da nije za goga ali je sjajno🙂
Nope
som en riktigt välsmakande hurring!
This is one of those albums I've always known of but never sat for a listen. I could stand to listen to this from start to finish with no distractions.
Loud, angry, intense and awesome. I love this album just as much as I id when it came out.
goes hard as fuck 4.5
Just a good ass album, it has all the components of a perfect rock album
Very Very good title album
Never listened to these guys back when they were a going concern, so this one’s a fun time capsule and also cipher key for understanding like 50 different memes. Killing In The Name alone resolved so many fucking previously-incomprehensible jokes for me.
Excellent album. Funky, hard and political.
Awesome album! Love the messages!
Until today, my familiarity with this band basically had to do with the fact that I saw Tom Morello induct KISS into the Rock and/or Roll Hall Of Fame. And I immediate loved the guy. I then learned he was a member of bands with names I absolutely hated. I'd then see him show up in music docs talking about bands I loved (turns out, he also toured with Springsteen and the E Street Band for a spell). It wasn't enough to compel me to, you know, try listening to any of Morello's bands, let alone his seminal outfit. That was just a bridge too far for whatever reason. This may never be my favorite genre, but damn if I didn't love this album. It's "run through a brick wall" music. It might not be an album I play repeatedly or even revisit often, but it finally proved to me that I really need to stop selling Tom Morello short.
i sure appreciate the purpose of every lyric in this album! rage held exactly nothing back in every song—lyrically and musically. i have nothing but respect for tom morello, as a person and a guitarist, and i absolutely love hearing that killer guitar. morello and his guitar absolutely make this album better. that being said, some songs were great! some, however, were grating against my precious ears—which i recognize is the whole point of it, 'cause rage goes against the mainstream. but it resulted in me unfortunately skipping some tracks. the whole album does deserve to have a listen. rage's anger came through easily. the album inspires more anger, and encourages the continued social justice fight. not to mention, this combination of rap and metal was so unique for its time. at the time of this review, rage is up for nomination for the rock and roll hall of fame for their fifth year. i hope 2022 is their year. fight the man.
What a debut album from Rage! They are sometimes credited with developing the metal-rap genre. If that's not true, they certainly were paramount in perfecting it. The fact that they already have the formula down so well on their debut album is incredibly telling. The group shows a lot of energy on this album in both the metal and rap areas, and they clearly have a handle on what it takes to make these genres successful independently and together. They also find a common ground for metal and rap in the topic of politics; the lyrics and imagery on this album are incredibly motivated by political themes. An enjoyable listen from such a unique band!
Discazo
Driving deep bass and pounding drums, loud guitar, aggressive vocals and political/social lyrics. This was pretty groundbreaking stuff and it hit damn hard. Play at high volume.
One of my go-to albums
Groundbreaking. Too many cheap imitators though.
FUCK YOU I WONT DO WHAT YOU TELL ME
:)
This takes me back too.
Rock guitarrero con fuerza. Canciones que algunas han perdurado en el tiempo. Voz inconfundible
This was perhaps supposed to inspire me to feel rage against the machine, but all I felt was rage against Rage Against the Machine.
Hmmm...some Rage Against the Machine. I know of them, but maybe by pretty much name only. For the first 20 seconds of the first track, I thought "Oh, this isn't what I was expecting at all. I could really like this...Ah...there it is, that's it..." Rage has a sound similar to other harder rockin' bands of the 90s. I actually have a greater appreciation for their sound now than I did when I was younger, I think. There is nice funkiness to the rock music here. But also, after nearly an hour of being yelled at, I was kind of exhausted.
I've managed to avoid RATM all these years and now I'm not sure why. I think I assumed they'd be too rage-y for me. Turns out we're outraged by the same stuff and I should have listened before. I dig it.
I’ve heard Rage Against The Machine here and there but hadn’t ever sat down and listened to an album. I put on the album and at first thought given the genre I’d need to break up this listen into parts. Instead I was enthralled and listened to the whole thing straight through to the end. This rocks hard. A lesson in truth in labeling. What surprised me most was the skill and subtlety in the music and intelligence in the lyrics. “Wake Up” is a masterpiece - an incredible song on an album of incredible songs. The angry lyrics are served perfectly by the angry music. I get it. I dig it. These songs should rock hard and they do. Thirty years later this remains a relevant kick in the ass. The machine is still fucking winning. RAGE!
This is another one of those albums that was part of the soundtrack to the early 90s. I didn't know about hardcore at the time, I was into stuff like Metallica, Pearl Jam and Guns n Roses, but this was completely different... I didn't know what it was, I had no context to put it in, it was just a fucking great album. I was too young to understand the whole sociopolitical anger thing, I just liked it because it was pissed off. And far out, it really is pissed off. De La Rocha really slams it home. There's a real grit to his voice that sucks you in. I think I still listen to it probably 2-3 times a year. Same with Evil Empire. Listening to the lyrics today I can kiiiinda see some of the criticism - it IS just basic entry level anti-establishment stuff (I'll admit I bought right into similar ideas when I was a first-year uni student, so no judgement here), and I do understand the ticket scandal a few years ago was really hypocritical of them, and Morello's subsequent statement was really half-arsed - but who gives a fuck? I don't care if they are/were diehard guerilla warriors, MAGA dickheads, or anywhere in between. I don't think there are many topics you couldn't cover when you thump this hard. I know there are people who think you aren't allowed to listen to it unless you agree with it, then others who think RATM are really just part of the machine they claim to hate so can fuck off... and cool guys. You do you. I'm rocking out. I also think "know your enemy" is one of those really underrated rock songs of the 90s. Not underrated in the "wicked underground" sense, but just overlooked despite the size of the album. 5/5.
Still stands up as a great album
Disco totalmente disruptivo para su momento, con un poder y unas letras que transmiten un mensaje político brutal que sigue vigente al día de hoy. Mejores tracks: "Take the Power Back" y "Wake Up".
I love this album. Cranked it in my Walkman as a teen. Still possesses that perfect blend of aggression, funk, and superb musicality. Some of the greatest riffs of all time are on display here. They never came close to this again.
Not really for me, very same-y and shout-y. Well played, unique and broke boundaries on release, but, again, not for me.
Loved this album as a kid. Still works today. A bit angsty for my tastes now really, but the nostalgia carries it through. Interesting to hear the demo versions of the tracks on the anniversary edition. Pretty much note-for-note the same with worse vocal processing. Great to see they arrived pretty much fully formed.
Yeah, they may be capitalist phonies but when your riffs are as good as anything Black Sabbath came up with, I can look the other way. Best Tracks: Killing In The Name; Take The Power Back; Know Your Enemy
This was something i had never listened to before, despite being 20/21 yrars old when it came out. This kind of metal was never my thing, and i never paid much attention to it. this 1001 project made me give it a go, and i guess that is part of the point. i listened to the first 30-40 minutes while walking the dog yesterday afternoon. the first two bands that came to mind, both contemporaries of RATM were the Beastie Boys, and Nirvana. both of whom I love, But this just didnt do it for me. Angry, serious, political, raw. no humour, no finesse and no fun, for me. And i couldnt finish it. But the sound / vibe kept coming back to me in the evening and i decided to give it another go this morning. i listened to the whole thing. i didnt love it. its hard to put my finger on it. And from reading about it is was evidently an important and successful album. The music is raw, and i dont think great. the lyrics are serious snd angry, but no finesse. All of this may be deliberate but it leaves me wondering why i should listen. The message is, for me, drwoned out in noise and screaming. i reckon that unless this project gives me another RATM album, i will probably never listen to them again. But i did give it a go!
Sony/Epic were smart to sign RaTM, it was the perfect act of controlled opposition. Frat boys and other privileged heirs of the machine enthusiastically embrace RaTM because they know the lyrics won't actually bring about change. In context, this album can only be considered a patronizing capitalist insult to those who are getting ground up by "the machine". That said, this shit rocks.
Nu metal
Ground breakingly different. So Good.
what if AC/DC got angry and political, then collab'd with the Beastie Boys?
Amazing debut album.
Aaaaaah Shit! Imagine it’s 1991 and you’re 18. Going to see an unheard of new band in a shitty, sweaty underground club. Moshing the fuck out to this. It makes all these other albums seem so weak and pointless. This is what music can be about and it’s powerful as fuck.
bomzão
was the music great? no. do i have very discerning tastes? also no. it's metal. i like metal. metal good. good album. ALSO it occurred to me that metal and jazz are very similar in that they take a relatively simplistic melodic motif and riff off it constantly for the entirety of whatever track it is. so maybe metal is, objectively, a little good, yk
Now THIS is how you combine rock and rap. The instrumentals are always on point, both kicking ass and grooving at the same time. Over top of these instrumentals Zack de la Rocha manages to spit fire with a punky attitude. The combination works so well largely due to the shared "fuck the establishment" motif of both punk and rap. The only slight issue is that the intensity never lets up, and it becomes one of those albums that leaves you mentally drained at the end of it. But Soundtracks for the Blind does that too and I still consider it perfect. Also, Tom Morello is one of the most inventive guitarists I've ever heard. Favorite Tracks: "Bombtrack", "Killing In The Name Of", "Take The Power Back", "Bullet In The Head", "Know Your Enemy", "Fistfull Of Steel"
Even better than I remembered
A staple of my youth that made political anger sound awesome
Мне кажется ребятам нужно было остановиться на половине альбома.
This one goes hard all along. Love it.
A favourite in my younger years- a gatecrashing enema hit of power. And no, Paul O’Brien, Rage is not just Linkin Park with a political twist. Fuck you
to this day
RRAAaaaaaage! (against the machine)
Are you angry? Do you want to add fuel to that anger? If so this is the highest octane fuel out there. Burn burn yes your gonna burn. Start to finish every song is a five star.
I am not familiar with either the band RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE or their debut album entitled, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, but I am aware of their existence. After listening to RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, I was very pleasantly surprised at how good the band and this album is. I usually don’t listen to hip-hop/rap, but this combination with metal of Metallica-like proportions. With the political lyricism of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Patti Smith, U2 and Public Enemy. This WORKS! In 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE’s self-titled/eponymous debut album Is the only album listed. Rate Artist: RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE (5.0) Rate Album (Year): RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE (US 1992 Original) (5.0) Rate Album (Year): RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE (US 2012 Box Set) (5.0) Ranking of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE - RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE songs No. Title Length Ranking 01. "Bombtrack" 4:02 10.0/10 02. "Killing in the Name" 5:14 10.0/10 03. "Take the Power Back" 5:36 10.0/10 04. "Settle for Nothing" 4:49 10.0/10 05. "Bullet in the Head" 5:08 10.0/10 06. "Know Your Enemy" 4:57 09.5/10 07. "Wake Up" 6:06 09.5/10 08. "Fistful of Steel" 5:32 10.0/10 09. "Township Rebellion" 5:22 10.0/10 10. "Freedom" 6:06 10.0/10 US 1992 Original Release 99.0/100 = 9.90 / 2 = 4.95 XX CD 1 – Bonus tracks (B-sides) No. Title Length 11. "Bombtrack" (Live) 5:56 10.0/10 12. "Bullet in the Head" (Live) 5:44 10.0/10 13. "Take the Power Back" (Live) 6:09 10.0/10 XX CD 2 – "The Original Demos" No. Title Length 14. "Bombtrack" 4:05 10.0/10 15. "Take the Power Back" 5:40 10.0/10 16. "Bullet in the Head" 5:09 10.0/10 17. "Darkness of Greed" 3:40 10.0/10 18. "Clear the Lane" 3:48 10.0/10 19. "Township Rebellion" 4:19 10.0/10 20. "Know Your Enemy" 4:19 10.0/10 21. "Mindset's a Threat" 3:56 10.0/10 22. "Killing in the Name" 6:28 10.0/10 23. "Auto Logic" 4:07 10.0/10 24. "The Narrows" 4:35 10.0/10 25. "Freedom" 5:40 10.0/10 US 2012 Box Set (15 Bonus) Release 249.0/250 = 9.96 / 2 = 4.98
4, pretty fucking good motherfucker. Rap and metal has never mended this well. The cover is so goddamn cool and iconic, that its hard not to put it at 5 just to see it, but the music is just not quite there. Too samey.
In many ways I've never moved past the year 2000 when I heard Wake Up (The Matrix) and Guerrilla Radio (THPS2) for the first time. The rebel unlocked. Drop the steak, eat the rich. // Some of those that hold office, are the same that burn crosses //
Probably a 4.5, a few tracks don't quite hit the mark but it's great nonetheless
The album starts agressively, all in, and is full of energy. Middle of the album (e.g. Settle for nothing) is a bit less energetic
I fucking love it lmao 5/5 or 4/5
RATM. 5 absoluto.
24th January 2022 Listened while oiling the kitchen surfaces. Chilled in the evening with victor and watched the lighthouse before finishing leave the world behind. Who knew blending hip hop and hardcore rock would work so well?
Own it. Listened to it a lot. Set the tone for the next decade in a lot of ways. For better or worse the 2000s rock/rap thing won't have happened with out this record.
Powerful political album with very strong hooks and amazing guitar work. Strong from start to finish.
Damn Paul Ryan has some good taste in music.
This album makes me want to RAAAGE... against the machine. I envision some gnarly workouts to this album in my near future.
Very good
Loved this album. Definitely their best work. 9/10. The extended 25th Anniversary edition is also excellent.
True 5
Not a fan
HOT album. I love Rage and first grew into them during the Guitar Hero days. Last year I listened to their discography (or was that two years ago now) and there are some bangers on here. I love Bombtrack and Killing in the Name.
Oh here we go. Love Rage Against the Machine, and I think I've heard this album before but it's nice to hear it again. They've always got a fantastic level of....yep, you guessed it: rage. Strong political lyrics, especially those on Killing in the Name that are burned in my brain: "some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses." Really funny that some people accuse them these days of softening or becoming lefties or whatever. Those people have no concept of "the machine." Anyway, legendary band and fantastic album album, big shout out to Tom Morello on guitar. Favorite tracks: Killing in the Name, Know Your Enemy, Bombtrack, Fistful of Steel, Freedom. Album art: Harrowing picture of the monk who burned himself alive in Saigon. These guys clearly don't possess the peace or calm that he had, but the message gets through just the same. 4.5/5
This is an album I have to be in the right mood to appreciate. It is obviously a classic but not something I want to listen to every day. 3.5/5
Not my cup of tea. Look, I get why a lot of angry teenagers discover RATM and are all in immediately. It is a strong (often misinterpreted, looking at you republicans...) message and certainly conveys the emotional side.
Politically Poignant Today
Taking their cues from Public Enemy and emboldening a generation of Jonathan Davis's and Fred Durst's, Rage intrigue me because from high school on I've met untold white guys who have no time for rap--or metal, for that matter--but revere this album. So they get marks for cultural legitimacy. But I won't get bogged down in comparisons, because Rage are their own beast. No one has ever sounded quite like them. Probably because, like so many bands, they fell together out of fragments. Break them into their constituent parts and it's not so pretty. You get a rapper who's only a couple of bars better than Bombfunk MCs, some severely limited funk, and bonehead metal riffs. But combined, they turn their failures into something unique. For one thing, each element takes pressure off the others. The dual attack guitars whirling and thrashing means De La Rocha doesn't have the room to rap well even if he could. He just has to go nuts and buzz around like a dervish, which he can do, semi-vomiting his lines. And that benefits the rhythm, which would be found out if it had to bear the weight of raps from Chuck D or (allowing for time travel) Kendrick Lamar. And that's about all I have to say. I enjoy bopping and jumping and head banging to this for a while, but it doesn't take long before I find myself wondering if they have any other tricks up their sleeve. History tells us that they did on Evil Empire, but then they got scared and went back to basics.
Don't mind the rock.
One of my favorite albums of all time.
Turns out most Rage songs I really like are on this album. High energy, lots of anger, great lyrics.
What an amazing work. If feels less like music and more like art based critical theory, even though the music is incredible. I don't know if I ever realized how much of a protest album this is. I can almost see the line from "A Change Is Gonna Come" to this. It feels so timely that happened in the US the last few year and is a bit disheartening to think that things haven't changed much.
I really enjoyed listening to this album-very familiar yet just before my time.
What an album. Evil Empire was a bigger deal for me personally. But this can’t be anything but 5 stars based on how it impacted me and how it still holds up.
Tom Morello is the man. The guitar is the best I have heard yet on this project.
4.1 - heavy bass beats and engaging vocals. Great lyrics. The mix of heavy metal and rap creates a sum that is greater their individual parts.
Pure energy in an album
Bombtrack after bombtrack. It's just banger after banger. This album just brings the energy way up with the first track and it stays there until the end.
I really appreciated the themes, the sound isn’t quite for me though.
What a banger of an album. The bass lines and lyrics are equally powerful. It's a tragedy the same themes of injustice are still at play 30 years later. Bombtrack, Killing In the Name, Take the Power Back, Know Your Enemy are my top picks.
This album makes me wanna karate chop the sun in half while punching a cop in the dick.
This albums does not stop
Rage Against The Machine's self-titled debut album is chock-full of dissent and insubordination, agilely achieved through elements of rap and metal imbued funk. Zack de la Rocha's uncompromising delivery of his lines leads the phalanx of badass drum beats and distorted guitars, accomplishing the marvel of music built for purpose. The exemplary alliance of music and direction is further amped up by this album being their debut - never wavering, always sharp-witted.
Liked this more than I expected to. It's too long, but I enjoyed it throughout. 3.5/5
Lots of energy - very angry
heavy rap rock. Gotta be in the mood.
Saw them back in '93 (with Tool supporting) at a show that got upgraded from a 550 cap room to a 1,500 venue. It was so good. Every few days I wind up thinking "We need a band like RATM now." Does this album ever go out of fashion?
A fist to your fucking face.
Really can feel the rage, what a nice album, maybe a litle bit repetitive
Great when you're in the mood for it.
6/10
Top album!
But 5 for the album title song!
Bombtrack - Cool start to the album. Gets you in the moods for what I assume is to come. Actually really like this track. Killing in the Name - Classic. Take the Power Back - The bass at the start is the best thing about this song. Bullet in the Head - This had me dancing around the room air guitaring so I must like it. Not too big a fan of Take the Power Back or Settle for Nothing and thought Freedom was a bit of a boring one to end on but overall really solid album - first time I've listened to Rage properly and really enjoyed it, nice angry music to move to. Literally have no idea how people can think 'Rage Against the Machine should keep politics out of their songs'0 when that's all they're about! :')
First listen. Pretty good for scream rock. 2/5
An LP fueled by righteous anger alone. The lyrics and instrumentation are simple, but the furor with which each is delivered brings each track to a level greater than the sum of its parts. Big props to Morello for indulging in some nu-metal guitar tones in a way that feels experimental without dating the album.
One of my favourite bands/albums as a teenager. This isn’t a album I come back to these days. Really enjoyed listening back, still sounds a brilliant album. Contemplated not giving full marks because it’s not an album I come back to, (Maybe because I prefer less aggressive music now I’m in my 30s), but to not disappoint a 14 year old me it gets the full 5.
Peak divorced dad rock. It really has not aged well.
When it’s time to rage there is no more aptly named band or album
Thanks to RATM I've been saying ACAB since I was like 12 years old
I just want to make it absolutely clear I have no problems with rage. And I fuckin love machines. I mean rage is perfectly normal. Natural even. And machines god bless em. You just wanna stroke there robot heads and day there there. It's not their fault they were made that way. They are a victim in all this and anybody who suggests otherwise is completely and utterly missing the point. And briefly returning to the gallant subject of rage. It's bold. It's beautiful. It's the past. It's the future. It's now. Oh and by the way this album sucks ass. Which makes it sound better than it is. No man, I mean it really sucks. More than a three year old licking a great big lollipop. More than a vacuum cleaner. More than a new born baby More than Larry the fuckin lamb who's just been born into this strange but beautiful world. Before I finish this review just ask yourself why? Then as who? Then ask what? Then ask where? Then ask how? And last but definitely not least ask where? Only then can you truly understand the way of the ninja. Only then can find peace within. Only then can you listen to this album and realise what complete piece of arse wank it really is.
This album is very special to me. It saved me from becoming an alt-right biggot and made me realize that the politics that my family has forced onto me is nothing but lies. We need this music more than ever right now
Pure energy. What an album.
I don't know if it was the mood I was in, but this album was absolutely amazing. The attitude, the guitars, the drums, the lyrics. All of it just really spoke to me. Yes x5000.
Appreciated it and liked it a lot more than I expected. Straight punk (from my limited perspective), calling out the status quo and its injustice toward the disempowered. Concentration of ower in society belies the promise of equal opportunity and justice for all. Respect for this.
Discazo. Me enrabia y me emociona de igual forma, jaja. 10/10
Rock doesn't get much better than this.
The album goes hard AF! Obviously very political but was excellent throughout. 9/10.
Fucking legends
Love this album. Has always been near my CD player for the last 25+ years
What's to say the first Album that I bought and fell in love with. Was it the driving bass, amazing guitar, screaming vocals, unrepentant Marxism or raging hormones? This album was like my third parent I still refer back for guidance. It could be that it ruined my life or saved it. It was the first time in my life where I felt it was ok to swear to justify my feelings and politics. What a glorious thing.
An absolute classic. Rage on my friends, rage on.