Reviews (page 7 of 15)
Great album
They need to come to Atlanta like yesterday. I love all of their albums
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.
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.
Thirty years old and it feels as fresh and relevant as ever. 5/5
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
This one rocks.
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.
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.
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.
Fuck you I won't do what you tell me!
!!!! 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
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.
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.
Exactly how I imagined a Rage Against The Machine album (never heard one before). Fast, hard and angry.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
Brilliant heavy guitar and drums. Baselines straight from Jah himself. Incredible lyrics. Headbangable. Fight the power. 5/5
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”).
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!!!!!!!
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.
An absolute force.
Recorded live at Sound City Studios.
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
Rulez
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.
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.
Absolutely fantastic, made me very aware of everything wrong going around.
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!
Fuck you I won’t do what you tell me
Znam da nije za goga ali je sjajno🙂
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.
Just a good ass album, it has all the components of a perfect rock 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.
Awesome album! Love the messages!
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
:)
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
Very good
Loved this album. Definitely their best work. 9/10. The extended 25th Anniversary edition is also excellent.
True 5
One of my favorite albums of all time.
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.
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.
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.
This album makes me wanna karate chop the sun in half while punching a cop in the dick.
A fist to your fucking face.
Top 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.
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
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.
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
An absolute classic. Rage on my friends, rage on.
🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
A stonecold classic. Don't know why I had not listened to this album for so long.
Ah fuuuuuuuuuuuuuck yyyyeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I can see why it's so well regarded.
Already have this, banger, truly an amazing album
Loved it rate ablum
Never before has a band name fit the sound they have with such accuracy. And man, what a sound it is. Tom is one of the most creative guitarists out there, and Zach is a monster of a frontman. Absolutely excellent.
RATM is in my opinion the ultimate protest music. There is sonic strength, powerful lyrics, and aggressive performance that equal a steady groove filled with, well, RAGE.
Another formative album. It still holds up and I think even coming to it new it would be highly rated.
This is pure energy. John Lydon once sang "Anger is an energy," and this is proof of it right here. Hard to believe this is over 20 years old, and so little has changed. I did not buy this album when it was first released, but when I did WOW. Just an amazing piece of work telling the Man to go f**k himself. It's a hard one to listen to when my kid is in the car, I'll tell you that. But it is an important piece of musical history, and definitely worth all 5 stars.
Slappa da bass
I remember Nick having this tape and the cover art of the burning guy. I remember not even knowing what the image was, just looked like a bunch of scribbles to me. And the music was scary, specifically "freedom." Reminded me of Derek's cd's, like metallica, pantera, and gwar. Obviously this is a great album, but its message has changed drastically to me these days.
The good ol Rage Against The Machine. Such a defining album with all the raw emotion put into this album. Classics like "Killing in the Name" was from this album.
Maybe 5 stars would have been meer appropriate - definitely 5 star in 1993 - but now listening to it in one go.. ..it is a bit exhaustive, oh wait, let me just give 5 star anyway..
Played this album a lot back in the early nineties, and it turns out it still sounds amazing today.
Some bands have a debut album that can't be topped. Rage Against The Machine is one of them. It's full of passion, aggression, relevance and activism. Everything screams of urgence from the album cover to the music, vocal and lyrics.
Enough Said
A vitriolic metal masterpiece.
Haven’t been in a RATM mood for sometime. I know this album well though, always an enjoyable experience when I’m feeling pissed off
This album went hard!!! I can see why this is a classic. Not a single boring song in this album, listened to it without skipping once.
Of course this album is still relevant some 20 years later. ZDL may have gone of the deep end, but I still listen to this album pretty regularly and may of course still blast 'Killing in the Name' when I'm in a mood. 4.5/5
My favourite album from my favourite band. Every song on here is great, with a few that stand out even further. One of the only albums that I would rate a 6/5 if I could do so.
So many classics and a few I’d forgotten about
Rage against the machine int it
Awesome
One of my personal favorite albums of all-time. Never gets old.
Cela me rappelle tellement de souvenir. J’adore cet album. 5/5
Bomba. Qué digo bomba, recontra bomba.
RAGE
I have always loved Rage Against the Machine.
What can I even say? A hugely important album for the development of my musical taste.
Creo que algo que particularmente me gusta de este álbum es como llevan la seriedad de un mensaje político y fuerte, con un ritmo inolvidable. Lo que más me gusta de este álbum son sus riff de guitarra y de bajo
This album is a freaking game changer. Loved it.
RATM nothing more to say.
Powerful! Maybe more relevant now than when it first came out. Also maybe one of the best album covers ever.
One of the best albums ever made. It stands the test of time.
LEGEND STATUS This album has it all - riffs, thoughtful lyrics, grooves, and a unique flavor.
One of my favs
This is so great and still feels fresh. There were many bands copying this style but no one pulls it off like them. What a debut
An incredibly powerful album that starts strong and never lets up. One of my all time favourites - a classic
:) you know what this.
Combining rap/rock is no easy task but Rage Against the Machine executes it as no others have on their debut album.
Incredible
What more is there to say, the BEST high-energy album out there. If you listen to this while walking and don't increase your 3x something is wrong with you. Lyrics (which use a lot of phrases now used by the worst people in the world I will admit) are relevant as always.
Best album!
Von meinen alten Grunge- und Crossoverhelden eines der am besten gealterten Alben.
I've never been a RATM fan. But fuck what an record. Like you really feel how special it was and continues to be. You can argue a lot about what belongs on a list like this, but without any doubt RATM hast to be on it.
🤘🏻
Still as good as the day it came out 🙌🏻
🤘🏻
Classic album
fireee!
Amazing!
Down with it
5 stars, would repeat
A solid collection of Rage's finest gems, including some of my personal favorites such as "Know Your Enemy" (featuring Maynard of Tool fame), "Fistful of Steel," and "Township Rebellion." Banger after banger on this one and it is no doubt why this is considered to be their best record overall, especially for being a pivotal record in the fusion of hip-hop and rock with a heavy edge, which other alternative and nu metal acts would eventually try later in the decade.
Love this album, an album from my youth
Now I'm listening to you 1001albumsgenerator 8-)
Iconic album
Pure energy
Rage it the best! One of the best albums ever made.
Yessss!!!!! One of my favorite bands/sounds/albums of all time. Kicks you in the balls and you still want more.
This is a great album. So much anger, but the music is just amazing.
Still fresh after nearly 3 decades
Fantastic album, my favorite of rage’s
Dope
Bängeri Kova sana
Great tracks from beginning to end
Slaps
Love RATM been a fan since I was 10 years old and this classic album reminds me why I am!!
Hands down one of the best albums of the era !!!!
One of the best albums of all time. I don't know if I can think of an album that shows so much passion and pain.
Back to the heavy mental 🤘🏻
Every single song slaps, it’s no doubt a 5/5
A great protest, hard album. Every song means something, there are no bad takes and every member rules. Roche’s vocals rule and Tom morello is one of the coolest guitarists of all time. Amazing stuff
Bekannt. Hat nichts an Aktualität verloren. Außerdem auch vom Sound her zeitlos. 5
The roulette ball, rolls along on the wheel..
great album!
epic.
Fuck yeah!
A perfect album
ayooooo
Already in my collection. Great album and Morello is a stud on guitar.
Classic Rage, awesome.
It’s a classic for a reason! It’s not often someone comes along with something to say like de la Roche did. Through in some innovative guitar techniques and turn the energy level up to 11 and you’ve got an album that still holds up 25+ years later.
4.5/5. Hardcore, political, aggressive, love it. Zack De La Rocha comes with killer hooks that make you want to burn the city down. Standout Tracks: Killing In The Name, Settle For Nothing, Bullet In The Head, Wake Up, Fistful Of Steel
Rage Against the Machine set the bar for themselves so high in 1992 that it's become not only hard for reach, it it outright insurmountable. The fact that they've remained relevant for thirty plus years, for all the right and wrong reasons, is a testament to the sheer power of their oevure and their eponymous debut packs a punch so vicious, so reverberating that all senses are radically rearranged. A manifesto set to music, this will always be a collection that speaks to the perilousness of dark times that looms large, that speaks truth to power, that puts its finger on the trigger.
Es que el rock así me vuelve loco siempre, es mi debilidad
Great bass line It’s fine; I don’t think anything I’d seek out again but a solid listen for the most part
Really enjoyed this one, great sound, great message
bão!
More relevant today than the day it was released.
Me ha gustado mucho, muy coherente y con temazos.
For better or for worse, I don't think this album will ever sound dated. I'm happy that the music is timeless, but a little more disappointed that the message in many of the lyrics still feels relevant.
This album hit hard and was "the voice of a generation" so if you had asked me back then it would have been an instant 5 stars.
I really enjoyed this one! I like the strong guitars, several of the songs had clever lyrics, and the vocalist switched well from spoken to sung to screams
I like i like men inte helt bra hela tiden. Tyckte det blev lite enformigt tyvärr men det är ju som sagt alltid det när man lyssnar första gången. Jag gillar soundet och gillar helheten. Jag ger det 7,5/10!
Okej okej, så inte lyssnar super noga, haft mycket med jobbet och detta är inget jag kan spela i butiken. Generellt så gillar jag detta album väldigt mycket. Det är ett stuk av hård rock som jag tidigare inte lyssnat på, vilket ja gillar väldigt mycket. Gillar även hur politiskt laddat musiken är, det ger mer känsla och själ i musiken. Skapar en tydlig rebelliskt sound! Men lyssnat alldeles för lite på detta och jag känner jag skulle gilla detta mycket ifall jag lyssna mer. Därför ger jag detta album 8/10. Nej menar, jag, Grabbensomintekollarpåexplosioner ger detta album en 8/10
Perfect mix of metal, hip-hop and antiestablishmentarianism.
This is a decent album and it holds up pretty well. Solid rock, great guitar. Had to fast foward through a few songs because it started to grate on me a bit, but overall I enjoyed it. (4)
My first time hearing Rage was playing Bulls on Parade on Guitar Hero 3. I was hoping it would be on this album, but Killing In the Name is a completely sufficient alternative.
I’ve never listened to this one in its entirety until now and I came to notice that it’s the (relatively) calmer moments between the “Rage” that really make this one special. Killing in the Name fades into the background of the funky walking bass lines, Morello doing something new and interesting, or Zack just rapping instead of yelling. Solid first album.
Heard it before. Powerful. Massive bangers and no bad songs here really 4/5
Maybe 3.5 - need to relisten
cool
oooooo political commentary ✨✨
My head was continually banging. Love the sound and the message, as well as the guitar solos. My only critique is that every song sounds very similar--they could almost have produced it as a single-song album.
Enkelte dager er en RATM-dag. Da er dette verdens beste plate. Men i dag er ikke en sånn dag, og sant å si øker nok mengden med dager dette ikke treffer helt med alderen. Samtidig som det kanskje ikke bare er meg, er det noe med tidens tann også? Ungene digger ikke RATM. En skulle kanskje tro at dette fungerte som en slags evig portal til rock, som med AC/DC og slike. Som, eh, hva da? Ramones? Metallica? Nirvana? Nei, jeg aner egentlig ikke helt hva som treffer, det virker ikke som om de er så opptatt av rock. De går definitivt glipp av noe.
Rage Against The Machine - s/t Denne var me jo innom i Rolling Stone-gjennomgangen til Torumodo (eit av mange av hans ikkje-fullførte livsverk) og eg syns vel omtrent det same no, som då? Eller likar eg den kanskje hakket betre? Eg syns dei kjentaste songane her er utruleg eineståande og kule, men igjen er det avsluttaren som får blodet til å bruse på alvor. Og så blir det litt mykje med ei heil plate av dette, men ein skal være temmeleg langt ute å på høgresida for å ikkje elske bodskapet til Zack de la Rocha på denne plata. Samstundes blir nok aldri Tom Morello favorittgitaristen min. 7/10
They really arrived fully formed with this didn’t they? It’s a masterclass in an aggressive, rebellious sound. Today’s listen revealed (with my now more attuned ear) just how jazz some of the guitar soloing is. Not all the time, but 2 or 3 times I counted. It’s brilliantly recorded too. Engineering, production and mixing, all really on point. After all these years, and overexposure, my only criticism is that the songs structures stick to the same basic formula practically throughout. I guess since it works though, why would you mess with it? I really lost count when trying to register the number of world class riffs. The album has dated brilliantly, whereas I know full well there are plenty of heavy albums with rap style vocals from the same time that would sound awful to me now. Having said that, those (for me) also-rans would mostly have sounded awful to my ears back then too. In some things you’ve with got it or you don’t. In this genre I wouldn’t have many favourites, but RATM have definitely got it.
Didn't know a lot about this band though I am familiar with Tom Morello's work outside the band. Not a big fan of the heavy yell/sing/rap thing. An absolutely politically charged album. Was huge upon it's release.
Me when there’s a machine and I rage against it
Haven't had an album with as much oomph as this one even after 100+ daily albums, super familiar with the singles on this one but the stuff in-between was just as much of a treat
It's nice to see white rock rap of the 90s being used for good, rather than evil.
Before listening to this, all I really knew about Rage Against The Machine was the memes on social media of conservatives discovering that a band named "Rage Against The Machine" might not be conservative Republicans. Now I've listened to this I appreciate the joke even more (and I appreciate Rage Against The Machine, full support for their music (and their political takes)). 4.5 stars, rounding down.
Grande álbum. Conhecia as músicas mais famosas, mas não a integridade. 4.2/5
Angry, pissed off music. Which sometimes is a good thing. They make their point.
Music as angry and powerful as its ever been
Has (unfortunately) aged very well. I still don’t get how they get a guitar to sound like that
Muy rock pero que buenos sonidos
Buen disco, me gustó, aunque prefiero el Battle Of Los Angeles
Sadly more relevant in 2026 than ever
I don’t think there’s another band in the world with a more appropriate band name. I remember working at Kemp Mill when this came out. I got a free copy and listened to it in my room on my stereo. As soon as I heard Killing In The Name I was like “Oh shit. These guys are going somewhere.” I kinda slept on RATM for a while, which I regret. They’re an amazing band.
Heavy metal Chili Peppers. What’s not to like.
Sick album! Ever track could of been the entrance theme from the wwf attitude era especially D generation X.
Stomp you in the head music. Repetition of the chorus lines does get bit much over a full album. But when you know what to expect ye cannae quibble. Its great
pretty great of course. not my favorite but gotta give props for their commentary on our legacy at home and abroad. prefer system of a down but never gonna be mad at a reason to listen to this album all the way through. album cover goes absolutely crazy
Brilliant album, still amazing
Such a cool sound. I think this is a great way to get introduced to more metal-like music. There’s so much creativity in the guitar riffs and there’s always something unexpected in the songs, either lyrically or musically. Felt like a mix of broody and counter-culture. I think Lego Batman might’ve enjoyed this.
One of the best albums of its time. Hands down banger banger central. I mean you cannot beat this in its prime. Baselines alone just blow my mind. That’s all I have to say about that.
걍좋음
Where ever you are playing this, turn it up...now turn it up some more. The debut release from Rage is not to be ignored. These guys stormed in with a highly politically charged album that took the world by force. The Reagan/Bush Sr. years really got them amped up. Heavy metal guitars and drums mixed with hip-hop delivery really rallied the troops. Tom Morello is a wizard on the strings and paired with De La Rocha's style made this band stand out. No slouches either, bassist Commerford and Wilk on the kit crush it. To think I was only 9 when this dropped is insane. I didn't get into the band until my high school years with their '99 record (should make list) but never too late with a group of this caliber. A fairly short-lived act but all their albums have stayed relevant and today the message is even more critical. RATM kicks ass and always will...4.23 stars.
Bra punk.
Yes
4.5/5
Discazo
Beastie Boys created Nu Metal
Pure political anger distilled into audio format. This album is raw, aggressive, and pointed. Zack climbs onto his soapbox and screams at you for 52 minutes with a phenomenal musical performance backing him up. It's a fantastic ride through and through.
Hässig
If you’re British and of the right age, you’ll remember the attempt to get ‘Killing in the Name’ from this album to Christmas no. 1 as an attempt to protest the most important issue of the 21st century… the pollution of charts with X Factor contestants. On the album, Rage Against the Machine tackle lighter topics of capitalism, imperialism, and police brutality, with Killing in the Name the highlight for me of strong opening tracks. The sound is a more political Red Hot Chilli Peppers, marked by Tom Morello’s excellent guitar work. It gets a bit samey and too abrasive by the end, but still pretty good.
This was the first album I purchased. Li'l twelve year old me spending my lunch money on this absolutely furious blast. I love it. I bonded with friends at new schools about this album and some of them were in my wedding party. It was extremely important to my teenage years. I can sing it back to front and, unlike many albums I wore out in my younger years, I return to it and it's still great. So, y'know, personally, five stars. Critically though, it has some flaws. The main one is that Zack De La Rocha, excellent vocalist, frontman, lyricist, is good enough and juuuust smart enough to be dumb enough to believe that he doesn't need an editor. At the peak, it's an album that has some real beauty and intelligence slotted between the noise, but then there are parts where you're like, "Zack please keep your spoken word for your spoken word stuff." For me, Settle For Nothing has always been a weak point, but even Bombtrack has corny MC lines littered all around the place, a reminder that this album came from '92 (some hailing from '91) and its rap-rock combination was mostly plumbing the 80s, kangol hats and adidas track suits and all. Of course, none of that reeeaaaallly matters because I still love the album, both from a personal history standpoint and the fact that it's a real artifact that (I believe, at least) holds up. RATM's culpability in unleashing bands like Limp Bizkit on the world should not be held against this because despite many Paul Ryan red-hat frat boys who loved this album citing this album as bad ass at their young republican luncheons, there are teenagers who got read books, learned about the polyvalent political landscape, and were able to burn off their aggression in nominally positive ways because of this. Of course, it's impossible to not be insufferable on either side of this coin, but everyone can still agree that this album kicks ass, which isn't an insufferable opinion at all.
JUSTICE FOR JOE MCELDERRY
C'était très très cool. Je réécouterai
tres tres cool
you know what it is
I love this album, but if I’m being completely honest, I think Evil Empire is a better album, though I do understand why this one is on the list instead. “Killing In the Name” is a top tier song, and Rage Against The Machine really paved the way for a new kind of metal. Definitely appreciate the lyrics and the politics now more than I did when I was younger. A great, solid album that deserves its place on the list.
RATM Some pretty samey vocals over a singular musical idea BUT delivered with an exhaustible absolute conviction and the guitar often sounds absolutely bonkers. Not at all shabby rhythm section. And a message to the kids that is absolutely imperative. Had my boys bopping their heads this morning and I hope they’re completely radicalized by the time day care closes today. RATM also holds the distinction for being the band that MAGA shitheads my age liked when they were teenagers bc they thought only heard the aggression and completely missed the call to arms.
Do Tom Morello's guitar solos annoy me to no end? Yeah. Do I think that the sloganeering here, regardless of whether or not I agree with it, degrades all discourse to the level of bumper stickers? Yeah. Does it sound good as hell? YEAH. This album has 0 nuance and that's kind of part of the appeal.
4,4/5
From here on out, the full rating scale is in effect.
Excellent album. Haven't listened to this in many years, so good to revisit it.
We need an album like this today!
The only band to try this and make it sound good
I liked this way more than I thought I would, not being that much of a metal fan and all. I think combining it with rap is a really interesting concept and it pays off super well in this album. Thematically, it's very precise and it has some excellent composition. My bias against metal may be barring this from getting a 10/10 score, but that doesn't mean it can't get damn close. 9/10
Rage against the machine is similar to linkin park; good music
It’s a great album and a classic. Very original angry and chaotic sound that I adore, although it suffers from the ear fatigue syndrome near the end of the album. Similar to something beastie boys would do to me. Amazing album
#57 An iconic album that is still as relevent as ever nearly 35 years later. It is heavy, aggressive, and angry, but still grooves. Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me.
Sometimes the world pisses you off and you need some Rage Against the Machine.
oh the memories. only had individual tracks on the old ipod, but recognize most
Was all set to give this a five, loved this when I first heard it and many other times over the years. However, listening today I thought there was a few weak tracks. Still a banger though.
Nästan en femma men vissa låtar är bara för tråkiga
So sad that this album is still very relevant today. But great album!
Interesting
Not usually the kind of music I listen to but I ended up listening to this album on repeat today. Bombtrack - excellent opener.
Rough, raw, emotional, rage. A classic from an iconic band. Full of political songs and great performances from everyone.
Aggressive!
M gustaron algunas canciones, pero es demasiado fuerte y ruidoso para mi.
Their hearts were in the right place. They might feel they failed to realize any meaningful change as a result of these records. It might just not happen in their lifetime or in a visible sea-change. It might meet the right ears at the right time. How long? Not long.
Heavy hitter here. Excellent rock album. Also a great kinda of political manifesto. A must.
When I first saw this album cover when I was 12 I was very scared by it and this album but I'm glad I listened to it now
That's a hell of a debut!
Awesome
Such a banger. Wish we could have something similar today