RATM
Recently, a certain band has started to make a comeback amid the massive protests breaking out all around the world against police brutality. Rage Against The Machine are one of the most outspoken bands in music history who are not afraid to give their listeners their views on the injustices caused by corruption all around the world. Forming in California, the band’s music often serves as an attack to corrupt governments, elitist organizations and big business while offering its listeners an insight into real life injustices that take place all over the world.
Musically, Rage Against The Machine have successfully fused multiple genres together to make a cohesive, heavy-hitting and unique sound. Their instrumentation borrows their sound from genres like Funk, Rock and Punk, while their lyrics are performed as a rap, introducing a Hip-Hop element to their sound. The mix of these different sounds, along with guitarist Tom Morello’s instrument-defying guitar playing, and vocalist Zach de La Rocha’s message-carrying lyrics gave Rage Against The Machine a sound that has not yet been unmatched, and as a result, who’s message was heard around the world.
It is not surprising then, that Rage Against The Machine is a band that is often associated with protest and civil unrest. Their lyrics hit at a different moment of corruption in every song, yet, they all seem to have the message. Their songs are not simply about informing people about everything that is going on in the world invisible to us, but also on the simple fact that life should not be about conforming to the ways of corrupt officials and businesses.
No where is this message clearer than in the song “Know Your Enemy” off their debut, self-titled album. “Know Your Enemy” is a song that clearly lays out what the four-piece think of American society. Even though this was a depiction of America in the late-80s and early-90s, their statements seem to be true even today and it shows us exactly how much we have changed as a society.
Other songs speak about various facets of society that are seemingly built to bring people into order. “Bullet In The Head” for example, speaks about how society can controlled by politicians and media. While songs such as “Wake Up” deliver a message of caution against those that are sworn to protect the people.
Today, not only America, but the rest of the world as well, are in a state of civil unrest due to the injustices that police in the States have showed towards the African American community. In this time, it seems many people have found solace and inspiration from the music of Rage Against The Machine, delivering three of the band’s four albums to the iTunes album charts, over two decades after the release. This revival comes at a time where Rage Against The Machine have already announced a reunion tour, which was delayed due to the worldwide COVID pandemic. However, this may not be the last we hear about Rage Against The Machine in the coming weeks, all members of the band are political activists in their own rights and are capable of not only participating in the protests but also gathering more followers and really doing some good in a time where we all need it.