Rage Against the Machine is an all around phenomenal group. They debuted in 1992 with their self titled album. They were a different type of music. Not many people have heard anything like it before. They are a perfectly integrated style of music that includes rock, punk, rap, and alternative. Most just call it a style of funk. The problem with that is that no other styles of funk music have such solid roots in the punk rock scene. Rage is not ashamed in the slightest to show their viewpoint on politics, being as far left winged as possible. They have very strong feelings on corporate America, cultural imperialism, and government oppression. Formed in the early 90's by front man Zack De LaRocha, and guitarist Tom Morello. Rages self titled album got incredible ratings with fans of punk, and rap music, along with music critics. It was refreshing to hear something with meaning that wasn't just about love and everything that was good in the world. LaRocha has an incredible talent for using his talent in writing to get his message out to the world. Their was a rumored breakup in the band around 1995, when in reality they wanted their album to be just as good as their first. In total it took them four years to write, record, and produce. The album titled "Evil Empire" had one of Rages most popular songs titled "Bulls On Parade". The song really blew up because it was featured in guitar hero 2. In my opinion, Rages best album was "The Battle of Los Angeles". It had the two songs that everybody knows by rage. "Guerrilla Radio", and "Killing In the Name Of". Both songs are very well known, but most who listen to them do not realize how political the lyrics are. I think that one of the reasons Rage was such a sucessful band with the few amount of albums they put out is because as talented as LaRocha is, he is not the only talented musician in the band. Every member has just as much musical talent as the other on his instrument of choice. After Rages third studio album, they split up to do their own things. Tom Morello started another band. They called themselves Audioslave. They were similar to Rage, but their was a defiinate difference in the lyrics. They were not nearly as political as LaRochas.After Rage broke up, LaRocha disappeared for quite sometime. Their were rumors of him helping a small country in South America break free from its oppressive leaders, but that rumors was never completely confirmed. I honestly think that he is just laying low, writing, waiting to start making music again. I can not wait until that day. After they broke up, a cover album was released by Sony records. It was titled "Renegades". The album was a cover album in which the band took some of the songs that most influenced them and made them their own. Rage Against the Machine will forever have a massive impact on my life. They are by far one of the most all around talented groups I have ever heard.
 |
| A young LaRocha |
